Tuesday March
17, 2009 (12:00-5:00 in The Renaissance, Vanier College 001)
Encounter Canada: A Symposium
on Free Speech on University Campuses
Hosted by McLaughlin College, Vanier
College, and the York Centre for Practical Ethics
Schedule:
12:00 Susan Dimock, “Free Speech,
Academic Freedom, and the Role of Universities”
1:00 Ian Greene, “The Supreme Court’s
decision in Keegstra and Restraints on Free Speech”
2:00 Stephen Newman, “Why classroom
speech isn’t always free speech”
3:15 Noël Badiou, “Freedom of
expression in a Human Rights world”
4:15 Wayne Sumner, “Hate Speech and
the Law”
Wednesday,
March 18 (noon, 140 McL): Sheridy Leslie, BA (Hon.) and BSc. (Hon):
Experiencing Intercultural Dialogue for the Sake of Diversity. In its
most basic sense, intercultural dialogue on diversity is an on-going
process that aims to unite culture, language, and the art of
conversation that openly addresses issues of cross-cultural importance.
Merely entering a discussion with a person of another culture, religion,
or society is only a small fraction of what this kind of dialogue is
capable of achieving. This talk will serve as an introduction to some
of the many local and international opportunities available to Canadian
youth (e.g. ages 18-30) who are interested in learning about how
engaging in intercultural dialogues can help change the world we live in
for the better. For example, some of these experiences include:
International exchanges and conferences (CIVICUS), examining issues of
genocide and injustice from its historical roots abroad (March of
Remembrance and Hope), using workshops on intercultural dialogue on
diversity as a tool against the spread of local and global injustice
(Education for Change), and through the creation of open spaces for
international youth dialogue both online and offline (TakingITGlobal and
the Youth Advisory Group of the Canadian Commission of UNESCO).
Thursday, March
19: Two events!
1. Noon, 014 McLaughlin
(Junior Common Room:
International Day
for the
Elimination
of
Racial Discrimination -- Race,
Ethnicity and Indigeneity Program. Today's
event will be opened by
Elder
Amos Key
Jr.,
a Cayuga from Six
Nations of the Grand River Territory.
Professors
Bonita Lawrence
and Mona Oikawa will then
talk about YU's Race,
Ethnicity and Indigeneity
program,
the only program of
its
kind
in
Canada. "REI, an
interdisciplinary
and
highly
innovative program,
is
a departure
from
the
tradition
of
treating
anti-racism, ethnic studies
and indigenous
studies as completely
separate fields
of study.
It
brings together established
strengths in
anti-racism and social
justice with the growing development of
indigenous
studies at York. “Randy
Pitawanakwat,
YU's Aboriginal
Education
Counselor,
will present
information about the Aboriginal Students' Association
at
York and Aboriginal
Education
Council. Lunch will be
provided. To register:
RSVP
@ www.yorku.ca/rights
Organized by: Centre
for Human Rights (416) 736-5682
2. 2:00- 4:00pm, 140 McL:
Designing Federal Law: The Courthouses in Massachusetts and Puerto
Rico. John Brigham Political Science, University of Massachusetts,
Amherst. This project considers the federal courthouse building-boom of
the late 20th and early 21st century in the United States as an
extension of national authority. The focus is on a particular
jurisdiction, the 1st Circuit, and two new designer courts, the Moakley
Courthouse in Boston designed by Henry Cobb and the Springfield District
Court designed by Moshe Safdie.
Construction of these buildings has
implications for the four New England States in the Circuit and Puerto
Rico. The treatment suggests different political orientations in these
places, which are affected by the increased federal presence. These
courthouses are also particular cases of a larger phenomenon in which
billions of dollars have been spent on federal courts with little public
discussion.
John Brigham is a Professor of
Political Science at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst and a
former Trustee of the Law and Society Association. He has published in
the area of constitutional law, social movements and legal architecture.
His books include Material Law: A Jurisprudence of What’s Real
(Temple Univ. Press, 2009) and The Constitution of Interests:
Beyond the Politics of Rights (NYU Press, 1996).
Monday, March
23 (noon, 140 McL): Zachary Gutfreund has both a Masters of Political
Science and a Specialized Honours B.A. from York University. His
academic interests have focused primarily on Canada and have included
studies in federal and provincial politics and governance, as well as
Aboriginal affairs. Zachary’s Masters MRP focused on the ‘duty to
consult’ and investigated Ontario’s experience with its constitutional
obligations towards Aboriginal peoples. In addition to political
science, Zachary is an avid music fan and plays guitar in a rock band
based in Toronto.
The ‘duty to consult’ is an
obligation placed upon the Crown in its dealings with Aboriginal
peoples. Expressed and defined through a number of Supreme Court of
Canada decisions, the ‘duty to consult’ requires that the Crown consult
with potentially affected Aboriginal communities prior to the Crown
undertaking any action or decision that may adversely affect Aboriginal
or Treaty rights. My research examines whether the ‘duty to consult’ as
expressed by the Supreme Court, protects the rights and interests of
Aboriginal peoples. Through an examination of the Supreme Court’s
pronouncement of the duty, as well as its application in the Province of
Ontario, my research reveals that while the Province of Ontario may be
making a genuine effort in meeting its ‘duty to consult’, the duty
itself is unable to ensure the protection of Aboriginal and Treaty
rights
Wednesday, March 25 (noon, 014
McL Junior Common Room): “To Walk Without Fear”: Scott Fairweather the
President and CEO of the Canadian Landmine Foundation will speak about
the global landmine crisis and some of the steps that the Foundation is
taking to raise awareness and to raise funds for humanitarian mine
action. He will also touch on the challenges of operating a
non-government organization and outline ways university students are
taking action. The Canadian Landmine Foundation is Canada's foremost
awareness building and fundraising organization for landmine action. The
Foundation is a registered charity with a mission to raise awareness and
funds to end the human and economic suffering caused by anti-personnel
landmines. Scott Fairweather is President and CEO of the Canadian
Landmine Foundation and Director of Adopt-A-Minefield Canada.
Scott began working with the Foundation as a volunteer soon after its
formation in 1999 and assumed his present role in January 2003. His
outreach efforts have built significant awareness for the Foundation and
for the cause of global humanitarian landmine action. He works
extensively with the United Nations, with the global mine action
community, with service clubs, with the military and retired military,
with churches, schools and with a wide range of other partners.
Scott is active in Rotary, a Cambodian charity called The People
Improvement Organization, and is also an honorary member of the Canadian
Association of Veterans in UN Peacekeeping. Model NATO at York
University is proud to present this speaker in concert with McLaughlin
College.
Thursday, April
2 (noon, Location- TBA): Rwanda Conference -- co-sponsored by
McLaughlin, Founders and Stong ---Details to follow
Friday, April 3 (noon,
Location- TBA): Rwanda Conference -- co-sponsored by McLaughlin,
Founders and Stong ---Details to follow
Wednesday,
April 15 (noon, 140 McL): “Financial Crisis”. Dr. Brenda Spotton Visano,
Professor Spotton Visano is a Professor of Economics, and a member of
the Economics, Social and Political Thought, and Sociology Graduate
Programs where she teaches and researches in the areas of
macroeconomics, monetary theory and policy, banking, and economic
sociology. She holds a PhD in Economics from McGill University. She is
the author of Financial Crises: Socioeconomic Causes and
Institutional Context (Routledge, 2006) as well as several articles
on financial instability and crises, monetary policy, and the evolution
of financial institutions. Sponsored by McLaughlin College and the
Council of Masters.
Wednesday,
April 22 (6 p.m., Sunnybrooke Estate): Annual Fellows Dinner
Friday, April 24 (noon, 140
McL): Tony Genco: “Progress on the Park”, Tony Genco, President and CEO
of Downsview Park Inc. Starting from his days as a young man growing up
in Downsview, going to school at York U to working in Governments
provincially and federally and rising to the top staff job at Parc
Downsview Park Inc, Tony Genco has seen it all and has had it all happen
to him. Tony will describe the challenges and struggles of creating a
unique urban recreational greenspace for the enjoyment of future
generation on a self sustaining basis, a concept most people found
difficult to accept and to find believers in this once in a lifetime
opportunity for Downsview, Toronto and Canada. The presentation will
reflect on the history, describe the current realities and show how all
will lead to a prosperous future for all.
Wednesday, April 29 (noon, 140
McL): John McErlean will speak on: Dorothea Lieven: Russian Princess,
pioneer diplomat, mistress of many, Previously Professor, York
University. Currently Senior Scholar, Department of History, York
University; Fellow of McLaughlin College. Educated at St. John’s
College, Oxford and the University of Washington. He is a fellow of the
Royal Historical Society and a Fellow of the International Napoleonic
Society. Publications include Napoleon and Pozzo di Borgo in Corsica
and after. He is the editor of two collections of Napoleonic
quotations and of a volume of essays on Polish history and culture. His
Napoleon et Pozzo di Borgo 1764-1821: was published in Paris in
March 2007. His D’Ajaccioa St.Petersbourg, (collected essays) is
in revision for publication in Corsica. He has published over a hundred
articles, published in seven countries. Some reprinted. The most recent
(2006) is on “The Russian Waterloo Dispatch”. His play “Mr. Churchill
Investigates: a Chequered Affair”, had its first performance, at the
Arts and Letters Club, Toronto, in 2004.He has been awarded the Medal of
Honor of the City of Ajaccio and the Gold Medal of the International
Napoleonic Society.He is a director of the Napoleonic Historical
Society, an honorary member of the Napoleonic Society of Georgia (ex.
USSR), a council member of the Historical Society of Corte (Corsica), a
member of the Founding Committee of the Foundation Pasquale Paoli
(Corsica), a Board Member of l’Association Alata Mimoria (Corsica),
International Delegate of the Association La Punta (Corsica) and the
Canadian representative on the Honorary Committee of a society
preserving Napoleonic dwelling and monuments, the Societe de Sauvegarde
du Chateau Imperial de Pont de Briques. He is a member of the Institut
Napoleon, Paris.He has been interviewed on radio and television in
England, Corsica and Quebec, and served as historical consultant in both
Toronto and London for the musical “Napoleon”, for a number of
historical murder mysteries and for an exhibition in Corsica.
Thursday, April
30 (noon, 140 McLaughlin College): Sir. Martin Harris, President of
Clare Hall, Cambridge, will speak on the history of the college system
at Cambridge, opportunities for visiting fellowships for York faculty,
and graduate educational opportunities. Clare Hall, like McLaughlin
College, is celebrating its 40th anniversary. It was founded by Clare
College in 1968 specifically for visiting fellows and graduate students.
Clare Hall is an ideal location for a sabbatical, a research visit, or
for graduate education. York Unviersity has a number of Clare Hall life
members, including Master Ian Greene.
Wednesday, May 6 (7 p.m.,
Junior Common Room): "The
Mid-Point in York's First Century: Perspectives on Sustainability and
the Future of Humankind." David
V. J Bell, Professor Emeritus and Former Dean, Faculty of Environmental
Studies, will present this talk as part of York’s 50th
Anniversary Master’s Lecture Series.
The mid point of York’s first
century coincides with the mid-point of the UN Decade for Education for
Sustainable Development [UNDESD 2005 - 2014]. This is an ideal time to
reflect on the educational ideas and socio-political circumstances of
York’s founding in order to focus on the contrasting – and critically
urgent – sustainability challenges and opportunities of the next 50
years. I will talk about the role of education and York University in
helping society develop an appropriate culture of sustainability that
would allow humankind to flourish beyond the next century.
Thursday, May 7: Chancellor
Roy McMurtry (5 p.m., location TBA) will present the Annual McLaughlin
Public Policy Lecture - Details to follow.
Thursday, May 14: Farewell
reception for Master Ian Greene, 014 McLaughlin College (Junior Common
Room)