A Vision for Cultural Preservation

At Refugee Pathways & Integration Canada (RefPIC), our vision is to create a world where the cultural heritage and identity of refugees are recognized, protected, and celebrated. We believe that cultural heritage plays a crucial role in strengthening resilience, fostering social cohesion, and promoting a sense of belonging for displaced individuals. Through our initiatives, we aim to create spaces where refugees can share their traditions, arts, and stories, contributing to a more diverse and inclusive society.

How We Deliver This Vision: Comprehensive Cultural Heritage Protection and Identity Programs

RefPIC’s Protection of Cultural Heritage and Identity programs focus on preserving traditional knowledge, arts, and cultural practices while promoting cultural exchange between refugees and host communities. Our initiatives include cultural festivals, arts and crafts workshops, heritage preservation projects, and documentation and archiving efforts to safeguard cultural traditions for future generations.

Key components of our cultural heritage and identity programs include:

• Cultural Exchange Programs: Facilitating programs that encourage refugees and host communities to share and learn about each other's cultural practices, fostering mutual respect and understanding.

  
  

• Preservation of Traditional Arts and Crafts: Supporting workshops and projects that preserve traditional crafts, music, dance, and other forms of artistic expression unique to refugee communities.

  
  

• Cultural Events and Festivals: Organizing cultural celebrations, festivals, and exhibitions that showcase the diverse heritage of refugee communities, promoting cultural pride and inclusion.

  
  

• Community-Led Heritage Initiatives: Empowering refugees to lead initiatives that document, preserve, and pass down their cultural heritage within their communities.

  
  

• Documentation and Archiving of Cultural Heritage: Creating platforms for recording and archiving oral histories, traditions, and cultural expressions, ensuring that these are preserved for future generations.

  
  

Why Protection of Cultural Heritage and Identity Matters

The protection of cultural heritage and identity is crucial for maintaining the dignity and well-being of refugees. Without the preservation of cultural practices, refugees risk losing connections to their past, traditions, and sense of identity. Cultural heritage initiatives not only preserve these valuable aspects of refugee communities but also promote social cohesion by fostering cultural exchange and mutual respect between refugees and host populations.

Looking Ahead: Expanding Cultural Heritage and Identity Programs

As RefPIC expands its cultural heritage programs, we are committed to enhancing efforts to protect and preserve the cultural identities of refugee communities. Through our Triple Nexus Approach—integrating humanitarian assistance, development, and peacebuilding—we aim to ensure that cultural preservation is part of a broader strategy for building resilient, cohesive communities.

What We Aim to Achieve

Our primary goals in protecting cultural heritage and identity include:

• Preserving Traditional Arts and Crafts: Ensuring that traditional forms of artistic expression and craftsmanship are passed down to future generations.

  
  

• Fostering Cultural Exchange: Promoting mutual understanding and respect through cultural exchange programs between refugees and host communities.

  
  

• Documenting and Archiving Cultural Heritage: Safeguarding the oral histories, traditions, and cultural expressions of refugee communities for future generations.

  
  

• Empowering Communities to Lead: Supporting community-led initiatives that preserve and celebrate cultural heritage and identity.

  
  

How We Deliver Impact

• Cultural Exchange Programs: RefPIC facilitates cultural exchange programs that encourage refugees and host communities to share their traditions, fostering mutual understanding and respect.

  
  

• Preservation of Traditional Arts and Crafts: We support refugees in preserving their traditional arts, crafts, and other cultural expressions through workshops, exhibitions, and educational programs.

  
  

• Cultural Events and Festivals: RefPIC organizes cultural events that celebrate the heritage of refugee communities, promoting cultural pride and inclusion.

  
  

• Community-Led Heritage Initiatives: We empower refugee communities to document and preserve their cultural heritage through oral history projects, archiving efforts, and heritage preservation workshops.

  
  

• Documentation and Archiving of Cultural Heritage: RefPIC works to document and archive the rich cultural traditions of refugee communities, ensuring that they are preserved for future generations.

  
  

Who Benefits

• Refugees: Refugees benefit from programs that protect their cultural heritage, allowing them to maintain a connection to their identity and traditions, even in displacement.

  
  

• Host Communities: Host communities benefit from the cultural diversity and rich traditions that refugees bring, fostering social cohesion and mutual respect.

  
  

• International Stakeholders: Governments, NGOs, and international organizations benefit from efforts to preserve cultural heritage, contributing to more inclusive, resilient

  communities.

  
  

Governance, Oversight, and Accountability

At Refugee Pathways & Integration Canada (RefPIC), we uphold the highest standards of governance, oversight, and accountability across all our programs. As a registered nonprofit, we operate in full compliance with the Canada Not-for-Profit Corporations Act and adhere to guidelines set by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) for charities. This ensures transparency, accountability, and alignment with national laws.

In addition to federal compliance, RefPIC adheres to provincial nonprofit regulations where we operate, both within Canada and internationally. Where necessary, we incorporate separately in different jurisdictions to ensure we meet local legal requirements. This enables us to operate effectively across regions while maintaining the highest levels of accountability and legal compliance.

• National and Provincial Compliance: RefPIC strictly follows Canadian laws governing nonprofit organizations, ensuring transparency, financial accountability, and ethical standards. By complying with federal and provincial nonprofit regulations, we meet all legal requirements in the regions we serve.

  
  

• International Standards and Frameworks: RefPIC's work is further guided by international laws and frameworks that protect refugee rights and promote sustainable development. We align our programs with global best practices to ensure our initiatives serve refugees and displaced persons effectively.

  
  

• Strong Accountability Practices: We collaborate with local, national, and international stakeholders to ensure responsible resource management and effective service delivery. Through regular evaluations, transparent reporting, and continuous improvement, RefPIC ensures that our programs meet the immediate needs of refugees while contributing to long-term sustainable outcomes.

For more details, visit our Governance, Oversight, and Accountability page to learn more about our commitment to ethical practices, program evaluation, and compliance with legal frameworks.

Get Involved/Call to Action

• Support Cultural Heritage Programs: Advocate for programs that protect and preserve the cultural heritage of refugees and displaced persons.

  
  

• Volunteer: Join our efforts by volunteering to facilitate cultural workshops, assist in cultural events, or support documentation and archiving initiatives.

  
  

• Partner with Us: Collaborate with RefPIC to expand our cultural heritage protection programs and promote the preservation of diverse traditions.

  
  

• Donate: Your contributions help fund vital cultural heritage programs, ensuring that refugees can maintain and celebrate their cultural identity.