Canada's national reconciliation director gives public lecture during Malaysia visit

KOTA KINABALU: The High Commission of Canada in Malaysia, in partnership with a social enterprise, Future Law, coorganized a public lecture by Ry Moran, the Director of Canada's National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation, here yesterday.

The High Commission of Canada in a statement said during the lecture titled ‘From Truth to Reconciliation: Healing Canada', Moran spoke extensively about the process undertaken by the Canadian government in acknowledging the experiences of approximately 150,000 indigenous Canadian former students of residential schools.

He also discussed issues currently faced by indigenous communities in Canada as well as the steps being taken to move forward towards a new relationship between nations.

Moran also put emphasis on the need for communication and understanding between communities and how truthtelling and sharing stories are helping to build mutual respect and social cohesion.

Moran also delivered a similar lecture a day earlier at Universiti Malaya's Faculty of Law, where he was joined by Suhakam Commissioner Jerald Joseph who spoke about Malaysia's experience regarding the human rights of indigenous peoples.

The statement also said Moran was in Malaysia for a two-day working visit where he met with Malaysian government officials and members of civil society and indigenous communities for discussions which drew parallels between the efforts underway in Canada and in Malaysia.

He focused on how both countries could learn from each other. - Bernama