SCPA 301 Panel Series
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 31, 2023 – March 21 2023, 6:00 pm – 8:00pm
MONTREAL, Quebec – Each year, the students at Concordia University’s School of Community and Public Affairs (SCPA), as part of the SCPA 301 course, organize series of events touching on current policy debates. This year’s topics are especially connected with the important transformations currently happening in a post-pandemic world, and questioning how to envision the future of our communities that are being confronted with social, economic and identity tensions.
The panel series will be held at Concordia University’s downtown Sir George Williams campus. The events will run from 6 to 8:00pm and are free and open to the public. The series begins January 31st 2023 at 6:30pm with Rise Against the Populist Right: Charting a Strategy for the Left. Embodied by Pollievre, Duhaime, Trump and Bolsanaro, the populist right is gaining ground. Join leading social movement organizers to strategize how the left can redirect the anger fueling populism toward creating meaningful, progressive social and economic change. Panelists: Nora Loretto, an organizer and author, Mostafa Henaway, an organizer with the Immigrant Workers Centre, Dr. Terri E. Givens, Professor, McGill University, Maya Menezes a climate justice campaigner at Stand.Earth. Moderator: Becca Wilgosh. This event will take place at the Hive in the Hall Building of Concordia University.
The next panels are:
The Housing Crisis: What is Threatening Housing Rights in Montreal? A conversation on the role the government played in removing different communities’ right to housing in Montreal, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic. Panelists are Luc Labelle, Development Manager at the Community Housing Transformation Centre, a representative from Brique par Brique, and more TBA. Tuesday, February 14th 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm, location TBA.
People Over Profit: Alternatives to a Growth Economy. An inspiring discussion about the socio-environmental harms of an infinite growth economy. During this conversation, community-centered alternatives and responses will be discussed by local panelists: Yves-Marie Abraham, Degrowth researcher and professor at Université de Montréal, Karine Awashish, co-founder of Coop Nitaksinan, Leonora King, founder of the Parc-Ex Curry Collective, John McPhedran Waitzer, National Organizer at Resource Movement, Moderator: Dr. Bengi Akbulut, Political Economist and Professor Concordia University. February 21st 6:00 pm-8:00 pm. This event will take place at Bar Milton Parc Solidarity Cooperative, 3714 Parc Avenue.
Academic Freedom: How Will Bill 32 Affect the Future of Universities in Quebec? A discussion on Bill 32, a bill which blurs the lines between academic freedom and freedom of expression, and its social implications for academics in Quebec. Will the rights and responsibilities that come with expertise lose their importance in society and culture? Panelists: Nicholas Renaud, Assistant Professor in First Peoples Studies at Concordia University, and three other panelists TBA. March 7th 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm, at CSU Large Lounge at Concordia University.
Wars and Refugees: Seeing the Bigger Picture. This panel outlines the setting in which various refugee crises or armed conflicts first appear through our panelists’ discussion. This context will help us comprehend the steps involved in creating aid channels for these populations, the difficulties faced by countries when these channels are absent, and the advantages of handling a refugee crisis when a country has already established effective systems for aiding refugees. Panelists: Dr. Thomas Soehl, Associate Professor at McGill University, Ian Van Haren, Executive Director of Action Réfugiés, Pierre Bouchard, lawyer from a refugee center, and one more panelist TBA. Moderated by Dr. Nalini Mohabir, Associate Professor, Concordia University. March 14th 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm, location TBA.
Is Montreal Prepared for Climate Change? A Panel on the Importance of Urban Resilience in the Face of Climate Change. This panel explores the issues revolving climate change and how the City of Montreal has been preparing to face this challenge. Urban resilience is a community effort and requires action from multiple stakeholders (the government, citizens and academics). Panelists include Dr. Ursula Eicker, Canada Excellence Research Chair (CERC) in Smart, Sustainable and Resilient Cities and Communities, Concordia University, a representative from Coalition Climate Montreal, other panelists and the moderator are to be confirmed. March 21st 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm, location TBA.
Contact person: Madison Lalonde; madison.lalonde@concordia.ca
About the School of Community and Public Affairs: The SCPA is a bilingual and interdisciplinary program in the fields of Public Affairs and Policy studies. It is an active member of Montreal’s academic community and since 1979, largely thanks to its students, it has become a popular location for public debate on policy issues and analysis.