The conference featured keynote addresses by The Honourable Bob Rae on “Education, the Key Public Policy of our Times,” Dr. Henry A. Giroux on “What is the Role of Higher Education in a Time of Legitimized Violence?” and panel discussions on topics ranging from Mentorship, Youth and Social Justice, Re-thinking Dominant History, and Strategies of Nonviolence. The goal of the conference was to connect researchers with peace activists, cultural organizations, and not-for-profit organizations in order to open up opportunities for dialogue and collaboration on the role of education in these times.
Impact
The conference advanced knowledge and understanding of a wide range of issues pertaining to education for promoting diversity, social justice, and peaceful coexistence among myriad communities. It invited the participation of local and global community leaders, scholars, peace activists, students/youth, and the wider public. Conference attendees learned from each other and benefited from developing professional networks with colleagues in different disciplines, institutions, and organizations.
Student Experience
Students as well as young artists and activists were involved as panel speakers and audience members in this event, which fostered cultural intelligence and provided mutual learning and networking opportunities among the participants and community organizations in attendance.