Sep 15, 2015

Vancouver, BC – Langara College is excited to host a trio of guest speakers for the 2015 Peace & Conflict Studies Lecture Series.

Held annually, the Lecture Series invites Langara students, employees, and the general public to hear examples of how changes are being made to improve social justice in a range of areas. 

Creating Change in a Climate of Fear focuses on the way social change unfolds, not necessarily by overcoming fear but rather acting in the face of it. Guest speakers from CoDevelopment Canada, Simon Fraser University, and the Guatemalan chapter of HIJOS will share their experiences of working through their fears to create positive change.

Schedule

  • Wednesday, September 23, 12.30-1.30pm - A130
    Latin America: A region of hope?
    Speaker: Steve Stewart, Program Director, CoDevelopment Canada

    Over the past thirty years, progress in grassroots democratic participation and human development indicators reveal Latin America as a region of hope for positive change, in contrast to the way the region is typically depicted. This presentation will provide a birds-eye view of the social justice processes taking place at state and community levels from Argentina to Mexico.

  • Wednesday, September 30, 12.30-1.30pm - A130
    Doing the next right thing
    Speaker: Lynne Quarmby, Cell Biologist and Chair of the Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, SFU, Climate justice advocate (Burnaby Mountain Action)

    As a climate justice activist, Lynne will describe her experience of empowerment through activism.  This talk will explore how her deepening understanding of the true roots of the conflict over Burnaby Mountain’s proposed pipeline helped her frame and overcome her fears.
  • Wednesday, October 7, 12.30-1.30pm - A130
    Memories of resistance: Seeds for social transformation 
    Speaker: Wendy Menzies, Co-founder of the Guatemalan Chapter of HIJOS

    This talk outlines the work of HIJOS Guatemala in confronting the historical trauma and consequences of Guatemala’s 40 years of civil conflict.   A culture of fear and silence can be overcome through restoring memories of resistance and struggle.

For more information on the 2015 lecture topics, visit http://langara.ca/pccn-lectures or contact Lealle Ruhl.

About Langara

Located in beautiful Vancouver, BC, Canada, Langara College provides University, Career, and Continuing Studies education to more than 21,000 students annually. With more than 1,700 courses and 130 programs, Langara’s expansive academic breadth and depth allows students of all ages, backgrounds, and life stages to choose their own educational path.

Media Contact:

Carly Barrett
Communications Officer
Langara College
604.323.5176
cbarrett@langara.bc.ca