Articles from:November 2017

• Sustainable Development Goals: Youth Training, held at Brock’s Pond Inlet

  Friday, November 24, 2017 | By Brock University

  Close to 200 students from across Niagara learned about sparking change in the world during a
  training day hosted at Brock University by the United Nations on Saturday, Nov. 11.

  The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals: Youth Training event brought attendees
  together at the campus’ Pond Inlet to address the root causes of poverty and increase awareness
  of local and global initiatives.

  The event was led by special guest Christian Courtis, Human Rights Officer, United Nations
  Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, and gave youth practical training to
  develop a deeper understanding of sustainable development in the areas of health, economic
  growth, social inclusion and environmental protections.

  “The event was very well attended,” said Liette Vasseur, who was present at the event to speak
  about her work as the university’s United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural
  Organization (UNESCO) chair. “They came and spent their whole Saturday learning what the 17
  Sustainable Development Goals, defined by the United Nations, are and
  understanding how the United Nations works.”

  Other presentations and collaborators of the event included: Ana Sanchez, Brock University,
  Chair, Department of Health Sciences (Moderator); Irene Podolak, Action Africa Help
  International and Brock University Health Sciences Adjunct Professor; James Reid, Director and
  Producer; Lillian Lincoln Foundation; Kathryn Baker-Reed, Skills for Change of Metro Toronto;
  Ben Brisbois, Healthier Cities and Communities Hub, Dalla Lana School of Public Health,
  University of Toronto; and Steven Lee, Executive Director of FES (Foundation for
  Environmental Stewardship) and its 3% Project.

  Vasseur shared the work she is doing with the UNESCO chair in the area of sustainable
  development (specifically in relation to climate change) in a panel discussion that afternoon.
  Drawing from her book, Adaptation to Coastal Storms in Atlantic Canada, she discussed the
  priorities and options available to coastal communities as they work to mitigate the effects of
  climate change and how successful initiatives in Atlantic Canada can be applied to other coastal
  communities such as Saint Barthélemy and Ecuador.

  The event finished with a screening of Reid’s documentary, Minutes to Die, Snakebite: The
  World’s Ignored Health Crisis. The film takes a deeper look at how snakebites are killing more
  than 500,000 people every year – many of which reside in rural areas and developing countries
  where access to hospitals and life-saving anti-venom is severely limited. It outlines the clear link
  between this health crisis and poverty, inequity, and social justice and what is being done to
  develop new, cost-effective treatments.

  Vasseur said she was inspired by the insight and enthusiasm of all of the youth attendees.

  “I think a lot of students were highly inspired by the event and I’m hoping there will be
  momentum on campus now as the students seem quite interested to contribute.”

• Liette Vasseur attends Gender Summit North America

  Friday, November 24, 2017 | By Brock University

  Liette Vasseur was among more than 600 advocates of gender equality from various science,
  innovation and development affiliations who participated in the Gender Summit North America
  2017 earlier this month.

  Vasseur attended the summit, which took place in Montreal from November 6 to 8,  as a
  representative of the Canadian Council for the United Nations Educational, Scientific and
  Cultural Organization (CCUNESCO).

  This marked the 11th year of the international summit and the first time that it was
  held in Canada. It was organized by Natural sciences and Engineering Research Council and
  Fonds de recherché du Québec, with the partnership of the CCUNESCO.

  The summit works to promote gender equality and diversity in research and innovation, with this
  year’s theme focusing on “Embracing pluralism and thriving through diversity – shaping science
  and innovation.”

  Attendees ranged from students, educators and policy makers to government officials such as the
  the Honourable Kirsty Duncan, Minister of Science.

  “It was a very good meeting,” Vasseur said, “There was a very clear message that we need more
  desegregated data, and that it needs to be better utilized to understand the challenges and barriers
  to inclusivity in the sciences.”

  She added: “There was also a clear message from Minister Duncan that we need to have
  universities clearly stating their policies in regards to gender equality and inclusion and that the
  government will really be pushing the issue to the higher level.”

  At the summit, Vasseur was part of a large panel discussion entitled, “Best Practices: Global
  Perspectives on Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in STEM.” During this discussion, Vasseur
  explored global initiatives that aim to better promote, support, and contribute to the rise of
  women in STEM fields.

  Vasseur discussed the UNESCO STEM and Gender Advancement (SAGA) initiative and her work with the Canadian Coalition of Women in Engineering, Science, Trades and Technology (CCWEST).

  “We must combat the decline of women in the sciences and the bias that exists – by both men
  and women – against their potential and capabilities,” she said. “It’s about recruitment first,
  getting more women into STEM fields, but then also ensuring they stay in these fields and
  progress through their masters, PhD and eventually into the working world. Then, when we get
  to hiring, ensuring there is a diverse pool of women to be selected and closing the gender gap in
  these disciplines.”

  Vasseur also spoke on behalf of the CCUNESCO when five Canadian researchers were
  honoured and rewarded through the LOréal-UNESCO for Women in Science program. The
  L'Oréal-UNESCO 2017 Excellence in Research Fellowships, each worth $20,000, are awarded
  to support major postdoctoral research projects undertaken by young Canadians at a pivotal time
  in their career. They were awarded to Dr. Marie-Ève Lebel, PhD, Post-doctoral Fellow, Melichar
  Laboratory, Hôpital Maisonneuve-Rosemont Research Centre and Dr. Kelly Suschinsky, PhD,
  Post-doctoral Fellow, SAGE Laboratory, Queen’s University. Three other awards were also
  awarded at the same time.

  “It was very inspiring seeing so many bright and driven women working
  toward the goal of inclusivity” Vasseur said. “But, we know that we have to keep up the
  momentum that was created there, that’s something that was very clear. We need to continue to
  discuss this issue and figure out ways to move ahead in many aspects because there is much
  work to still be done.”

  Categories: Updates of the Chair