About the CCMHS Logo

People who in their country are denigrated, persecuted, threatened or simply need alternatives for a better life, find in this beautiful country that is Canada a place full of hope that gives them a chance to become better in an intellectual, social and emotional way. The maple leaf in this logo represents a flame, the fire of hope that lights and guides people from different cultures, who at the same time protect and make this flame grow.

--Andres Salaz

The Symposium Logo was designed by Andres Salaz, who is a young fine arts student born in Mexico. Andres is inspired by nature and different cultures and their people. In his design, Canada is the fire that protects and guides anyone looking for better opportunities in life. The characters around the maple leaf are those who have been brought to the light to help form a multicultural society protecting, at the same time, their beautiful treasure - Canada.

In 2005, the Planning Committee held a contest open to immigrant and refugee youth. The challenge was to design a suitable image that would be used as the annual Cross-Cultural Mental Health Symposium logo and for the Spirit of Hope Award plaque. Preference was given to designs signifying the issues of immigrants and refugees coming to Canada - for example, the themes of hope, settlement, adjustment challenges, etc.

At age 17, Andres Salaz submitted the winning design. Accompanied by his proud parents, Andres humbly accepted his prize and our congratulations. We will continue to use his design as our symposium logo with great pride.