ANNUAL SYMPOSIA

We are more effective if we are able to stand together as individuals, organizations, and communities who share progressive internationalist and humanist values. The symposium brings together international cooperation practitioners, environmentalists, youth, indigenous leaders, human-rights activists, immigrant associations, feminists, local governments, civil society leaders, issue-specific experts, advocates and academics to encourage dialogue across sectors. The symposium creates a learning environment through a combination of keynote speakers, panel discussions, and workshops that strengthen individual and collective capacity to engage Atlantic Canadians and provide them with tools to be more active global citizens. In bringing diverse voices together, the symposium lays the groundwork for further concerted action and collaboration based on a spirit of global solidarity that contributes to “bold and transformative steps which are urgently needed to shift the world onto a sustainable and resilient path.” [UN, Transforming our World, 2015]

2020 Symposium

Symposium 2020 held online on October 21 and 22, featured a variety of keynote speakers and panelists from around the world, with diverse perspectives, as we reflected on dimensions of justice as we take action towards a sustainable future. The ACIC Symposium unpacked and explored various dimensions of justice and action regarding climate change, at both a local and global level. This included exploring aspects of gender, democratic, and legalistic justice, rights-based approaches, citizen-led approaches, advocacy, and social accountability, and local/global conceptions of justice.

Over the four sessions that occurred, participants considered what a climate just world looks like, how we can create a climate just world, and why the climate crisis is a human rights crisis. We were joined by our keynote speaker Dr. Ingrid Waldron (Director, The ENRICH Project) who discussed environmental racism in Nova Scotia, its impact on communities in the Atlantic Canadian provinces, and the actions the Enrich Project and communities have taken to address these issues. For session recordings, visit:

Iceberg 1 | What Does A Climate Just World Look Like?

Iceberg 2 | Who is Impacted, and Why is the Climate Crisis a Human Rights Crisis?

In Iceberg 3 | How Do We Create A Climate Just World?

Roundtable | How Do We Work Towards A Climate Just World

Delvina Bernard was awarded the Shirley Case Leadership Award for Global Citizenship. The award is presented annually to an individual who has demonstrated a spirit of global citizenship in a local, national or international capacity and who has helped create a more just and sustainable world. Learn more about Delvina’s work here.


Southern Speakers Fund

This fund provides opportunities for Southern partners to dialogue with Atlantic Canadians on issues and demonstrate impact of efforts in international cooperation. The Southern Speakers Symposium Fund will  support the participation of an international guest to the region to speak at ACIC’s annual symposium. Guidelines can be found HERE. Application form for fund can be found HERE.

 

Previous Symposia

Click here for the 2018 Symposium panel discussion: Walking Together: Steps for Organizational Change

Click here for the 2017 Symposium Keynote by Frederick Wangabo Mwenengabo

Click here for the 2017 Symposium panel discussion Standing on Common Ground, Taking Steps Together