South Asia Partnership Canada (SAP Canada) is a forum of Canadian organisations that, together with South Asian partners, works for sustainable human development in South Asia. The National Jack Promotion Campaign was inaugurated in prevention of a food shortage in South Asia expected in 2005 by the Food and Agricultural Organisation of the United Nations.

The jackfruit tree grows quickly and yields large nutritious fruits, which can be dried and processed for future use. Uses:

• The ripe fruit is eaten



• Unripe fruit is cooked in curries; seeds are also roasted or cooked in a curry.



• Leaves, roots, sap and fruit are used in indigenous medicine.



• The wood is valued as timber



• The jack's yellow wood also yields a dye used to colour the robes of Buddhist monks.

In 1999, the Sri Lanka Canada Development Fund held an art competition in schools across Sri Lanka to promote the Jackfruit Tree Campaign. There were over 2,000 entries from students aged 6 to 19. Their artwork depicts the many uses of the jackfruit tree and the benefits of collectively planning for the future. Twenty-five paintings [photo below] were selected to be part of this traveling exhibition in Canada. They were first displayed here in Ottawa, at the Canadian Museum Of Nature in 2001 during the Art in Nature Festival, to alert Canadian children's interest towards essential and global sustainable food projects.

This collection is a fine example of an arts-in-education process, which also presents an inspired approach to learning. SAP Canada's activities in Canada aim to increase learning and networking among other organisations about South Asian development issues.

This travelling exhibition visits our parish thanks to our Artist-in-Residence, Graham Smith. Prior to this Graham gave it a launch at the recent conference "A Canada Fit for Children" organised by SAP Canada in mid September, and shortly after that at Elgin St. Public School during their Open House BBQ. It will soon be moving on to the main branch of the Ottawa Public Library where it will be on display in the foyer during January of 2005.