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SHIFT Centre for Social TransformationFebruary 2026 |
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Youth always seem to be at the forefront of social movements, don’t they? Prescient and righteous, they are often first to answer calls for action and justice, sooner than older generations are ‘ready’ for it. And, again, more often than not, they are met with the phrase, it’s a complicated issue. One's sense of fairness is too simple when up against complex systems. But complicated and complex are not the same thing—the former a deterrent of change, the latter an acknowledgment of depth and intricacy. Yes, our systems are complex, because people’s humanity is woven into them and much is at stake, and so our solutions must also be complex. We fail young people when we choose condescension over collaboration, when we lead not with humility but with supremacy of thought. And we fail ourselves by refusing opportunities to learn and grow. Inaction becomes an endorsement of the system as it is. Guide young people through the complexity of our systems and watch them begin to lead in ways you might not have imagined. |
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Mentors and change-agents: Youth-led social justice initiatives |
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Tuesday, February 3 @ 12-2 p.m., LB 145 (SHIFT Centre) How can mentorship programs lead to fostering young agents of change? How can youth-led approaches to leadership challenge traditional institutional tropes? Or—more succinctly—how do we empower young leaders? This panel will showcase youth-led initiatives grounded in broader justice frameworks, featuring visiting professor Magalie Quintal Marineau and Christine Qillasiq Lussier of la Chaire-réseau de recherche sur la jeunesse (CRJ), as well as Adama Kaba, Mariam Untiveros Métellus, and Jessyarth Lopez Bonet (Harambec Freedom School). |
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Other events at our space Mitigating the impacts of climate change: Moose protection & Anishnabe governance Friday, January 30 @ 11 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. Join us as Anishnabe Knowledge Keeper Shannon Chief/Waba Mako discusses various contributions to the decolonization and restoration of her people’s sovereignty, including the defense and protection of land, waters, and language and the community-driven Anishnabe Moose Studies project. Friday, February 6 @ 10:30 -11:45 a.m. In the face of global climate change, Mohawk educator and pedagogical consultant Kanerahtiio Hemlock asks, “How do small communities respond and adapt?” Acknowledging that there is no one right answer, Kanerahtiio explains that for traditional Native people, the path is clear: “We have to return to our own ways.” In this workshop, Kanerahtiio speaks to what he has learned while developing a class on Indigenous self-sustainability, and how exploring the ways his people taught their children in the past—and what that teaching might look like today—has guided this educational work. Inspirer le changement de comportement pour les animaux Sunday, February 8 @ 2 - 4:30 p.m. Formation à l’activisme pour les animaux (en français) avec We the Free Montréal. Cette formation est idéale pour celleux qui défendent la cause des animaux non humains auprès de leurs amis, de leur famille et même d'inconnus. Zine Launch - Breaking up with Ai with Climate Justice Montreal Thursday, February 12 @ 6 - 8 p.m. With the rise in popularity in Generative Artificial Intelligence over the past few years, it is increasingly important to consider what effects this technology is having on us. While generative AI has many claims about its future potential effectiveness, with massive amounts of money being poured into this industry to keep it afloat, the real impacts of this technology are much more significant than is being let on - massive water and energy needs from data centers directly affecting water availabiltiy, air quality, and fossil fuel plant construction, misinformation campaigns leading to public policy changes, significant job losses from outsourcing and job consolidation, and a rise in surveillance technology are only some of the potential harms caused by this technology. |
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Pathways to Mobilizing for Peace: Local steps towards global impact Wednesday, February 18 @ 12 - 2 p.m. Join us at the SHIFT Centre for a thought-provoking panel with Glenn Rubenstein of Collectif Échec à la guerre, oral historian Sharon Gubbay Helfer, and Zev Saltiel of Independent Jewish Voices (IJV), wherein we’ll explore anti-war efforts in Montreal (both past and present) and determine the pathways we can take towards mobilizing for peace. |
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Activism in Print 2000-2025 - The Stefan Christoff Collection Wednesday, February 18 @ 5 - 7 p.m. Join us for the public launch of an exhibition curated by community organizer, activist, and Concordia graduate student Stefan Christoff that showcases print material created in the context of different community struggles in Montreal. The works on public display include zines, posters, and photographs. Thursday, February 26 @ 1:30 - 2:30 p.m. 3rd meeting of the new initiative by Pablo Gilabert and the Social Justice Centre that explores two axes of research: arts for social justice and social justice for arts. The People's Server Workshop with Marina Johnson-Zafiris Saturday, February 28 @ 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Ready to push against surveillance-driven corporations profiting on stolen land, stolen resources and YOUR STOLEN DATA? Join us for a free, two-part beginner-friendly workshop that breaks down the mysteries of servers and guides you through the benefits and basics of building your own at-home in-community server. |
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University of the Streets Café Telling our stories: How does storytelling and writing shape activist movements? Thursday, February 26 @ 7 - 9 p.m. Activism is often associated with protesting, being out in the streets and calls to action. But what about the creative work that accompanies activist movements? Can storytelling and writing bring people together? What can it teach us about the causes we are fighting for? In this public conversation, we will explore how writing and storytelling informs us and sets the tone for our activism and resistance. We will discuss how they can offer release, a way to find joy, and so much more. |
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Special Call for Submissions: Social Transformation as an Act of Love |
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What does it mean to love a place that’s imperfect, or even antagonistic? This can be a homeland, a motherland, or the land upon which you’ve settled. Where and how do we build better infrastructure (physical or emotional), or create pockets of joy and care, that help us love a place through hostility? What do we yearn for, wish for, or fight for, in lands that we’ve left or still inhabit? How do we love a home even when it doesn’t love us back? In this edition of the SHIFT Journal, we're inviting submissions of love letters to home, place, and land. |
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"Bye Bye DEI": Death to Deification by Maureen Adegbidi |
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In our third piece in the "Bye Bye DEI" series, Maureen explores the concept of and risks associated with "deification", or what happens when we elevate the experiences and opinions of a marginalized person above all else, due specifically to their marginalization. She argues that deification is ultimately harmful, and we should be promoting ongoing and considerate conversations in workplaces instead. |
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Let's stay in touch!
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Version française : |
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Mentors and change-agents: Youth-led social justice initiatives |
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mardi le 3 février @ 12h - 14h, LB 145 (centre SHIFT) Comment les programmes de mentorat peuvent-ils contribuer à former de jeunes agents du changement ? Comment les approches du leadership menées par les jeunes peuvent-elles remettre en question les tropes institutionnels traditionnels ? Ou, plus succinctement, comment donner du pouvoir aux jeunes leaders ? Ce panel présentera des initiatives menées par des jeunes et fondées sur des cadres de justice plus larges, avec la participation de la professeure invitée Magalie Quintal Marineau et de Christine Qillasiq Lussier de la Chaire-réseau de recherche sur la jeunesse (CRJ), ainsi que d'Adama Kaba, Mariam Untiveros Métellus et Jessyarth Lopez Bonet (Le Freedom School du collectif Harambec). |
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Autres événements dans notre espace Atténuer les effets du changement climatique : protection des orignaux et gouvernance Anishnabe vendredi le 30 janvier @ 11 - 12h15 vendredi le 6 février @ 10h30 -11h45 Inspirer le changement de comportement pour les animaux dimanche le 8 février @ 14h - 16h30 Rompre avec l'IA : lancement d'un zine avec Justice climatique Montréal jeudi le 12 février @ 18h - 20h Les voies vers la mobilisation pour la paix : mesures locales pour un impact mondial mercredi le 18 février @ 12h - 14h L'activisme pour la justice sociale à Montréal dans la presse écrite 2000-2025 mercredi le 18 février @ 17h - 19h Les arts et la justice sociale jeudi le 26 février @ 13h30 - 14h30 L'atelier du serveur populaire avec Marina Johnson-Zafiris sameid le 28 février @ 10h - 15h |
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Université autrement: dans les cafés jeudi le 26 février @ 19h - 21h L'activisme est souvent associé à des manifestations, à des rassemblements dans les rues et à des appels à l'action. Mais qu'en est-il du travail créatif qui accompagne les mouvements activistes ? Le storytelling et l'écriture peuvent-ils rassembler les gens ? Que peuvent-ils nous apprendre sur les causes pour lesquelles nous nous battons ? |
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Appel à contributions spécial : La transformation sociale comme acte d'amour |
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Que signifie aimer un endroit imparfait, voire hostile ? Il peut s'agir de votre patrie, de votre terre natale ou du pays où vous vous êtes installé. Où et comment pouvons-nous construire de meilleures infrastructures (physiques ou émotionnelles) ou créer des îlots de joie et d'attention qui nous aident à aimer un endroit malgré son hostilité ? Que recherchons-nous, que souhaitons-nous ou pour quoi nous battons-nous dans les pays que nous avons quittés ou que nous habitons encore ? Comment aimer un chez-soi même s'il ne nous aime pas en retour ? Dans cette édition du Journal SHIFT, nous vous invitons à nous envoyer vos lettres d'amour à votre chez-vous, à un lieu ou à une terre. |
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Aurevoir “DEI” : mort à la déification par Maureen Adegbidi |
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Dans notre troisième article de la série « Bye Bye DEI », Maureen explore le concept et les risques associés à la « déification », c'est-à-dire ce qui se passe lorsque nous élevons les expériences et les opinions d'une personne marginalisée au-dessus de tout le reste, précisément en raison de sa marginalisation. Elle affirme que la déification est finalement néfaste et que nous devrions plutôt promouvoir des conversations continues et réfléchies sur le lieu de travail. |
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Restons en contact !
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