Barlow, a respected Canadian activist and author, shared how her passion for water took her all the way to the United Nations, where she helped lead the fight that saw water and sanitation declared a human right.<\/p>\n
Through her roles as board chair of Food and Water Watch, which advocates for safe food, clean water and a livable climate for all, and founder of leading water justice organization the Blue Planet Project, she dedicated her time to addressing the world\u2019s water crisis \u2014 and has learned many lessons along the way.<\/p>\n
\u201cI learned how fragile our beautiful planet is and how important it is for us to be its stewards,\u201d she said. \u201cI also learned it is a joy to dedicate your life to social and environmental justice. You get up in the morning caring about something more than yourself and, believe me, that\u2019s a good thing.\u201d<\/p>\n
Barlow urged Brock\u2019s Class of 2024 to find time to protect the planet, no matter what direction their future path takes them in, and to embrace the concept of \u201cwise hope.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/brocku.ca\/brock-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/TriciaPokorny-1050x700.jpg\")
<\/a>Brock graduate Tricia Pokorny (BA ’95) returned to her alma mater on Tuesday, June 11 to receive an honorary doctorate.<\/p><\/div>\n
\u201cWise hope requires us to face reality,\u201d she said. \u201cNot to pretend all is well, but to take action anyway. You can\u2019t say \u2018oh it\u2019s too big, I can\u2019t do anything.\u2019 That will not get us anywhere as a community or as a planet.\u201d<\/p>\n
Taking action is what started Pokorny\u2019s career.<\/p>\n
In 1997, after a challenging experience navigating Casino Niagara as a blind woman, the proud Brock graduate took her concerns straight to the company\u2019s president. This resulted in the creation of the organization\u2019s Diversity and Special Needs Co-ordinator role \u2014 with Pokorny as the first to hold the position.<\/p>\n
She would go on to lead the development, implementation and management of an award-winning accessibility and diversity program at Casino Niagara and Fallsview Casino Resort in Niagara Falls, in addition to later spending 10 years as Senior Manager of Accessibility for the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation. She is now the program lead for the Come to Work program at the Canadian National Institute for the Blind\u2019s (CNIB) B.C. and Yukon division, where she helps people with sight loss develop workplace readiness skills.<\/p>\n
While earning her degree in Applied Language Studies (now Applied Linguistics) at Brock, Pokorny immersed herself in volunteer opportunities with groups such as Ontario March of Dimes, Guide Dogs for the Blind, CNIB and the United Way \u2014 giving insight into her burgeoning passion for community service.<\/p>\n
She encouraged graduates to also get out into the community and get involved, using their compassion, strength and kindness to better the place they call home.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy message to you is that although you\u2019re graduating today, this is not the end of your journey, this is just the beginning,\u201d Pokorny said. \u201cYou\u2019ll have opportunities that will now come about, whether you work in the public sector, private sector or somewhere else. You have all the opportunities to make a difference, to change what it means to live on our planet and to be good citizens.\u201d<\/p>\n
She encouraged the graduates to always keep humanity top of mind.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat should be our priority,\u201d she said. \u201cStrive to make that difference, strive to be the best that you can to change your community, the country and the world.\u201d<\/p>\n
Brock\u2019s 115th Convocation continues Wednesday, June 12. At the day\u2019s 2:30 p.m. ceremony, the University will present an honorary doctorate to National Baseball Hall of Fame inductee and humanitarian Ferguson \u201cFergie\u201d Jenkins.<\/p>\n
From June 10 to 14, about 3,200 graduands from seven Faculties will receive their degrees. All ceremonies take place in the Ian D. Beddis Gymnasium of Brock\u2019s Walker Sports Complex and will be livestreamed online at brocku.ca\/livestream<\/a><\/p>\n Brock\u2019s Convocation continues until Friday, June 14. For a full schedule, visit\u00a0brocku.ca\/convocation<\/a><\/p>\n Discover the full collection of Convocation photos by ceremony on\u00a0Brock University\u2019s official Facebook page<\/a>\u00a0or view recordings of the ceremonies at\u00a0brocku.ca\/livestream<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n Watch Maude Barlow’s full Convocation address below:<\/p>\n