International delegation

Sociology professor Murray Knuttila organized a tour of Niagara for over 50 international delegates from the International Rural Sociological Association (IRSA) Congress this past Sunday, Aug. 14. Participants were guided by Tiffany Mayer, local published author and creator of Eating Niagara, and toured various wineries, including Tawse and Rosewood Estates, visited Niagara Falls and met with representatives of the Agricultural Workers Alliance about their work with migrant workers in the Niagara Region. The tour ended at a local craft brewery, Silversmith Brewing Company, for dinner before the delegates returned back to Toronto. The IRSA Congress hosts top researchers from across the globe with a focus on rural issues that include farming, environment, labour, food security, animal rights, climate change and neoliberalism. The theme for the 2016 Congress was “Sustainable and Just Rural Transitions: Connections and Complexities” and was held from August 10 to 14 at Ryerson University in Toronto. The Faculty of Social Sciences at Brock University was a sponsor of the IRSA Congress and featured six faculty members who presented at various sessions held throughout the week. More information can be found on the IRSA Congress 2016 website: http://www.ryerson.ca/arts/irsacongress2016/index.html