MEDIA RELEASE: 5 June 2018 – R00119

Ideas have great power, but they’re useless without people willing to fight for them.

That was the message Canadian Labour Congress President Hassan Yussuff delivered to Faculty of Social Sciences graduates Tuesday, June 5 as he gave the Convocation address at Brock University.

After being awarded an honorary doctorate from Brock Chancellor Shirley Cheechoo, the former union leader and longtime workers’ rights advocate gave a powerful talk about being engaged in democracy.

“Progress happens when you get engaged and we fight for change together,” said Yussuff, who was the first-ever Human Rights Director for the Canadian Auto workers and has served as President of the CLC since 2014.

After emigrating from Guyana at 16 years old, Yussuff got a job as a mechanic, joined the union and then became a union leader at 18.

“You are the new generation of Canadian leaders,” he told the large group of graduands Tuesday. “Brock has given you the tools to engage and reshape our democracy and your country needs you. So pick up an issue, show up, join with others and persevere.”

He left the graduating class with three key points: That ideas have power; That those ideas are powerless without boots on the ground to take action; And to never quit.

“Nothing worth fighting for comes easy,” said Yussuff. “It’s always a struggle. But a great leader never quits. They push on and keep building because they know that progress is always possible.”

Brock University’s Spring Convocation continues Wednesday with 10 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. ceremonies for the Faculty of Education. Thursday will see graduates from the Goodman School of Business cross the stage at 10 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.

On Friday at 10 a.m., the final ceremony in Brock’s 103rd Convocation will include students from both the Faculties of Humanities, and Math and Science.

Giving the Convocation address will be St. Catharines native and world-renowned photographer Edward Burtynsky, who will receive an honorary degree.

A major milestone will also be celebrated when Brock’s 100,000th graduate will receive their degree. Exactly who will be the milestone graduate will remain a secret until they cross the stage. The watershed moment comes 51 years after John Auld became the first-ever Brock graduate at a ceremony held on May 26, 1967.

All of the Convocation ceremonies are free to attend and no tickets are required. Parking is free for guests throughout the week. For those who can’t make it to the Brock Campus for Spring Convocation, the ceremonies will be streamed at brocku.ca/livestream

For more information or for assistance arranging interviews:

* Dan Dakin, Media Relations Officer, Brock University ddakin@brocku.ca, 905-688-5550 x5353 or 905-347-1970

Brock University Marketing and Communications has a full-service studio where we can provide high definition video and broadcast-quality audio.

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