Articles by author: Brock University

• Brock’s UNESCO Chair launches Sustainability Poetry Contest

  Wednesday, January 31, 2018 | By Brock University

  Brock’s UNESCO Chair launches Sustainability Poetry Contest

  WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2018 | Posted by Brock University

  MEDIA RELEASE: 31 January 2018 – R00020

  What kind of future do you want?

  That’s the question being asked this year as part of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Poetry Day.

  Brock University Professor and UNESCO Chair in Community Sustainability Liette Vasseur, along with Brock’s Environmental Sustainability Research Centre, is putting out a call for submissions in this year’s 2018 Sustainability Poetry Contest. All Niagara residents are eligible to enter their original, unpublished poems with the theme of ‘The Future We Want’ for this year’s contest.

  UNESCO has been celebrating World Poetry Day annually since 1999. The idea is to use poetry as a social tool to bring awareness to social issues, give a voice to the community, promote linguistic diversity and change the way people view their place in the world.

  “The poetry contest is important because when we look at sustainability in communities, arts and culture are essential for human well-being,” said Vasseur. “We are aware that when we look at sustainable development, we do not only consider economic development but also social development. It is important to integrate activities that make people feel positive about their lives and help work toward our sustainable development goals.”

  The Sustainability Poetry Contest, which is under the patronage of the Canadian Commission for UNESCO, includes categories for elementary, high school and post-secondary students, as well as the general public. Both French and English poems are welcome.

  This year’s topic is derived from a 2015 United Nations outcome document that spurred the development of the 2030 Agenda, citing 17 sustainable development goals to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. Each goal has specific targets to be achieved by 2030.

  “The 2018 Sustainability Poetry Contest affords an opportunity for individuals to philosophically envision ‘the future we want’ and express it creatively,” said ESRC Director Ryan Plummer. “In making connections to the sustainable development goals, the poetry helps to bridge sustainability locally to a global agenda for transformative change.”

  Poems can be submitted online until 5 p.m. Monday, Feb. 19 by visiting the UNESCO Chair’s website. Prizes such as books and gift cards, will be awarded in each of the four categories.

  Winners will be announced at the UNESCO World Poetry Day celebration on Friday, March 23 at Mahtay Café in downtown St. Catharines. The event is free, but registration on the Chair’s website is required as space is limited.

  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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  Categories: Updates of the Chair

• OIA Niagara and Hamilton Branch Meeting

  Monday, December 04, 2017 | By Brock University

  Mark your calendar for a special joint meeting of the Ontario Institute of Agrologists (OIA), Niagara and Hamilton Branches.  Agrologists from other branches of OIA (with a special invitation to the Hamilton branch) and all interested friends of OIA, spouses, partners, colleagues and students are cordially invited to attend the meeting on Tuesday, December 12.

  Liette Vasseur will be the speaker at the meeting, discussing the topic of “Development of Sustainable Agriculture in China and lessons for Canada.”

  The meeting location is the Innsville Restaurant, 1143 Highway 8, Stoney Creek (west of Fifty Road exit from QEW and on the corner of Lewis Rd and Highway 8. A Google Maps link is attached below).

  Please confirm attendance no later than Friday, December 8th to Mary Jane Combe mjcombe@primus.ca or 905 682-0086.

  Date:  Tuesday, December 12, 2017
  Gathering time:   5:30 p.m.
  Dinner:   6:00 p.m.
  Cost: Order from the menu

  For those wishing to car pool from Niagara, the plan is to meet at the Victoria Ave carpool lot (east of Victoria Ave on the South Service Road) at 5:00 p.m.  (Please indicate if you plan to carpool in your RSVP).

  https://www.google.ca/maps/place/1143+Hamilton+Regional+Rd+8,+Stoney+Creek,+ON+L8E+5G7/@43.210617,-79.6694178,15z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x882ca39d2e01e693:0xc32f5c3f6ced072!8m2!3d43.2099914!4d-79.6615643

  Categories: Updates of the Chair

• 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

• 16th biennial CCWEST conference report now available

  Monday, October 16, 2017 | By Brock University

  A report on the success of the 16th Biennial Canadian Coalition of Women in Engineering, Science, Trades and Technology (CCWESTT) Conference, which was held in Ottawa in May of 2016, is now available for viewing.

  The national CCWESTT Conference has always been recognized for its ability to bring together top industry and academic leaders to address topics of women in engineering, science, trades, and technology. The conference and associated workshops provided a forum for participants to develop leadership skills, network with dynamic colleagues, and celebrate women’s achievements in engineering, science, trades, and technology. Close to 200 delegates came from across Canada to participate in the 70 presentations, panel discussions, and workshops held during the four days of the 2016 conference.

  The conference themes were inspired by two major documents: “Seizing Canada’s Moment: Moving Forward in Science, Technology and Innovation” and by our engagement with the United Nations new sustainable development goals, documented in “Transforming Our World: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.” These documents included topics such as indigenous knowledge and science advancement, youth engagement, innovating in the workplace to promote the inclusion of women and advancement of women’s leadership, and preparing women for innovation.

  The event was important for CCWESTT, as the organization has started transitioning to a new era, where members will provide calls to action at regional, provincial, and national levels, in order to move the agenda of women forward in fields that are highly relevant for Canada and the world. To this effect,a policy forum was also held at the conference, where discussions were quite animated and provided the ingredients needed to move towards a national strategy that will recruit and retain women in the job market.

  Read the report
  Learn more about other activities and conferences affiliated with the UNESCO Chair
  Learn more about the Canadian Coalition of Women in Engineering, Science, Trades and Technology (CCWESTT)

  Categories: Updates of the Chair