On September 22nd, KANPE highlighted the release of Tracy Kidder’s book Soulever les montagnes – L’oeuvre du docteur Paul Farmer (Éditions du Boréal), which features a preface by KANPE Grand Ambassador Régine Chassagne.

The day began on a reflective note, with the conferenceUn nouveau regard sur l’aide humanitaire (A New Look at Humanitarian Aid) at UQAM.  After a presentation by KANPE governor Maryse Alcindor, and before an audience of almost 350 people, Dr. Paul Farmer and Régine Chassagne shared their ideas for rethinking humanitarian aid.

The discussion continued at Concordia University, where close to 400 people attended an animated round table conversation on the theme of engagement in Haiti.  Dr. Paul Farmer, Régine Chassagne, and Madeleine Féquière, member of KANPE’s Board of Directors, shared their motivations, their expectations, and stories of their actions to improve life in Haiti.  These two special events were made possible by the generosity of UQAM and of Concordia University.

Following these events, KANPE’s president, Dominique Anglade, welcomed close to sixty guests to a cocktail reception generously sponsored by BMO and by Concordia University, where the reception took place.  Many governors, partners, and university representatives learned more about the life and accomplishments of Dr. Paul Farmer, while enjoying the company of Tracy Kidder, author of Soulever les montagnes – L’oeuvre du docteur Paul Farmer.

The final event of the day was one that was highly anticipated in Montréal: Arcade Fire’s open-air concert at Place des Festivals, where the band spoke to a crowd of 100 000 fans about their deep desire to change the world.  The concert also served as an excellent platform for KANPE; they greeted supporters at information booths and sold books and t-shirts.  KANPE volunteers and ambassadors from Pop Montréal/TD made their way through the crowds, informing spectators about the foundation and its mission.

This day will be remembered for the involvement and generosity of many organizations and individuals.  KANPE would like to sincerely thank Dr. Paul Farmer, Concordia and UQAM universities, the Pop Montréal Festival and their sponsor, TD, the BMO group, Boréal publishing and the author Tracy Kidder, as well as DAVIDsTEA.  These activities were the result of the work of dozens of volunteers and KANPE salutes them for their involvement.