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Written by Administrator
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Friday, 19 February 2010 16:34 |
The IGO International Consultation (IIC) has evolved as a collective milieu for IGOROTS worldwide to celebrate their unique culture and heritage and to move their causes forward in the international stage. Held every two years, the IIC has moved around the world as follows: Ø IIC-1 West Covina, California, USA [September 1995] Ø IIC-2 Arlington, Virginia, USA [July 1997] Ø IIC-3 Baguio City, Philippines [April 2002] Ø IIC-4 London, England [June 2002] Ø IIC-5 St. Louis, Missouri, USA [July 2004] Ø IIC-6 Melbourne, Australia [April 2006] Ø IIC-7 Banaue, Ifugao, Philippines [April 2008] Ø IIC-8 Burnaby (Metro Vancouver), British Columbia, Canada [August 2010] This is spearheaded by the IGOROT GLOBAL ORGANIZATION(IGO), a duly registered non-profit organization based in the United States. Herewith are a links to the IGO websites: BIBAK Organization of British Columbia (BIBAK BC) has won the bid and will be hosting the IIC-8. The venue would be the famous Simon Fraser University in the City of Burnaby and part of what is known as Metro Vancouver region. This will be held from the 5th to the 8th of August 2010. Concurrent to the IIC-8, BIBAK BC has embarked on the project IGOROT VILLAGE 2010 to showcase a replica of the villages put up during the world fairs held about 100 years ago in different venues in North America and Europe. In 2010, we come together to showcase the Igorot of 2010, a proud culture and a humbled heritage that lives with bold industriousness, kinship and strong oneness with land and nature. http://igorotglobal.org/cms/images/IIC8/Igorot_Village_Primer2.pdf REGISTRATION: Registration form and instruction on payment can be downloaded on the following: Dates to Note: Early bird registrations ends on the 31st day of April 2010 Refund policy applicable only until 30 June 2010 Registration fee covers meals and registration materials. Accommodations extra. TRAVEL: Your Organizing/Planning Committee aims to make everyone's visit to British Columbia an experience that can be marked as unique and memorable. That being said we also want to make your visit safe. Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) or otherwise known as tourist visa: If required for travel, the participant will have to individually satisfy the requirements for a TRV with the corresponding Canadian Embassy of the country of origin. From among others, each participant needs to: § be in good health § do not have a criminal record § are not a threat to Canada's security § with a valid passport § have enough finances to support stay including dependents traveling with (if any) and § will leave Canada voluntarily at the end of the period of authorized stay § A Confirmation of Registration will be sent to each individual participant and can be provided as a supporting document for visa application. We have been in close coordination with the Event Coordinator of Immigration Canada and have now officially published IIC-8 as an official event in their roster sent to all Canadian Embassies we have earmarked will be expecting applicants for visas. We will also send your name to the embassy you are expected to apply visa from. A visa officer makes decision on admissibility on a case to case basis and the burden of proof lies with the applicant. Since the Sept 11 incident, The Canadian Embassies worldwide have cut down personal appearances for visa application and only processes it by courier unless you are required to go in for further personal appearance. There is a need to apply early to allow adequate time for processing and you do not need a third person or an agency to send the application for you. The Confirmation of Registration is issued in lieu of the usual Letter of Invitation that previous conferences issued and has a greater bearing and serves as one of your supporting document for visa application. Please feel free to make copies as well of the program of activities and other pertinent information about IIC to be attached to your application in the IGO website. o Travel Medical Insurance coverage is also highly recommended for all participants. Your organizing committee as per requirement by SFU will have liability insurance of no less than $2M. However, we also strongly recommend that each participant obtain their own coverage. There are a few providers such: Emergency Room visit can cost a minimum of $750.00 and a simple surgical procedure like appendectomy about $ 25,000.00 so it is best to have coverage. Coverage cost an average of $3.00 a day of stay. You can choose to forgo getting one until you arrive in Canada but if you print up information and add it to your supporting documents then at least the visa officer will know that you are contemplating on it. o Further, each applicant will need to be particular with the consistency of their information. Other supporting documents: Ø Official approved leave of absence from work should include the dates that covers and corresponds with the dates of your visit to Canada as well as a verifiable person that they can call to confirm leave of absence, your job description and position as well as the job you are going back to; Ø Proof of Financial Capability: this can include your bank accounts and not just bank certification but transactions at least in the past year, other proof of finances like landholdings. If you are being sponsored by a relative who is a resident or citizen of Canada, get them to send you a notarized letter of invitation to include information detailing their willingness to bankroll your stay in Canada as well as a copy of their bank statements and recent T4 or Notice of Assessment. Ø If to are attending on an official capacity or a member of a cultural group, then get supporting documents like a letter from your office.. If you are a member of a cultural group if you have photos of you performing specially if published it can help support your application. Ø On the application form you are also asked to fill in your organizational affiliations as basis of reason to return home. Put in any pertinent organizational membership and your role in said organization As per advice by Immigration Canada, we are required to inform every prospective applicant that there is a need to apply early to allow adequate time for processing and to prevent disappointments. I hope this information guide can help those looking to apply for TRV’s. GOODLUCK and hope to see you all here in Beautiful British Columbia!!! CLIFFORD BELGICA President, BIBAK BC & Chairperson, Planning Committee for the IIC-8 Vancouver & Igorot Village 2010 |
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 17 March 2010 14:26 )
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