Keynote and Workshop Information

Conference Program

Keynote Presentation

Servant Leadership: It’s all about relationships

Caring Communities - Homelessness in Victoria

How to Put your Vision into Action

Total Honesty/ Total Heart: practical strategies for conflict resolution

Personal Sustainability: Are You in the Driver’s Seat?

Arts Based Learning and Leadership

Parties, Public Rallies and Speaking Tours: Organizing events that really matter

Exploring your University Student's Society

Leading the Way to Environmental Sustainability

Transforming Scholarship to Grassroots Action

Leveraging your University Experience

Global Engagement: Getting involved at Home and Abroad

Working in the 21st Century: Managing Diversity and Inclusive Communication

Opening Keynote Presentation:

Erin van Wiltenburg
Through inspiring personal stories and experiences, Erin illuminates the power of dreaming big to change the world.  Confronting fears of failure and the North American tendency to pursue paths of least resistance, this presentation explores the idea of challenge, risk and dreams as means for personal and global growth. It outlines the practical steps required to move a dream into reality. Erin presents an inspiring story, in which challenge is the source of change.

Born in Victoria, BC, Erin is currently studying at the University of Victoria. An avid student and athlete, Erin’s passion for human potential and social justice have led to the completion of amazing feats. In 2005, Erin, just 19 at the time, developed a sport intervention project in rural Kenya, in which she worked and learned from abandoned, disabled children. The experience ignited her growing passion for the African people. In 2006, Erin developed the 100 Item Challenge in which she challenged first world consumption ideals through committing to only owning one hundred things. In 2008, Erin initiated the SEE-THEM-RUN project, and ran 4200km across Africa to aid in education initiatives.

Young and passionate, Erin is highly committed to ideas of global and social responsibility and she exemplifies a lifestyle of ethical intention. Erin shares her experiences with vast audiences and through public speaking opportunities challenges others to do the same. Erin is pursuing a career in International Development. She is currently working as a coordinator for UVic’s Student Refugee Program and advocating for refugee rights and opportunities in the local community. After completing her education, Erin intends to work directly with the African people using grass-roots programs to empower the third world. 

Workshop: Servant Leadership: It’s all about relationships.

Are you a Servant Leader? What does this really mean?
Participants will be introduced to the philosophy of servant-leadership. Elements of servant-leadership will be presented and related to the daily lives of participants.  Through interaction and discussion the value and implications for this moral, ethical, caring, community building approach will unfold.

“The servant-leader is servant first…It begins with the natural feeling that one wants to serve, to serve first.  The difference manifests itself in the care taken by the servant first to make sure that other people’s highest priority needs are being served.  The best test, and difficult to administer, is: do those grow as persons; do they while being served, become healthier, wiser, freer, more autonomous, more likely to become servants? And, what is the effect on the least privileged in society; will [they] benefit, or, at least, will [they] not be further deprived”
         (The Servant as Leader, Robert K. Greenleaf, 1970)

Workshop Objectives:

• To understand the philosophy of servant-leadership
• To connect servant-leadership to the student reality
• To identify strategies to incorporate servant-leadership into university life and beyond

Workshop Presenter: Dr. Carolyn Crippen
Carolyn is an Associate Professor of Leadership Studies in the Educational Psychology and Leadership Studies Program in the Faculty of Education.  She has worked as a teacher, school administrator, superintendent of schools and assistant dean prior to coming to UVic in 2008.  Carolyn has been involved with Servant Leadership since 1980 and sees her work with this movement as her service to others and raison d’etre toward the moral imperative.

Workshop:  Caring Communities - Homelessness in Victoria

This workshop is a moderated panel session featuring some of Victoria’s top professionals in this field.

It will provide current UVic students with opportunities to learn more about the homeless community and discuss cases of inequity and human rights.  This passionate session will also highlight the challenges and opportunities currently facing the homeless community in Victoria and where students can take on a leadership role for collaborative positive change.

Workshop Learning Objectives:

• Gain a deeper understanding of homelessness in Victoria from a number of angles (health challenges, legislation, and access to support services) and challenge assumptions
• Get inspired by hearing from amazing leaders advocating for the rights of homeless people
• Learn about how you can contribute your leadership skills in this area
• Build bridges between the UVic community and the Victoria community

  Panel Members:
  Alysha Jones
  Alysha is a 4th year UVic Nursing student interested in health inequities related to the social determinants of health and the role that health care providers like nurses can play in order to bring attention to these determinants (i.e. housing) and bring the SDOH agenda into health care services.  Alysha has done outreach to other students at UVic to raise awareness about homelessness and the need for affordable housing

  Bernie Pauly
  Bernie is a member of the School of Nursing Faculty.  Her research is focused on health inequities associated with homelessness and substance use.  She teaches a graduate research course in housing and homelessness and is currently engaged in research related to evaluation of transitional shelter, homelessness and pandemic planning and health inequities.  She is co-chair of the research and evaluation working group of the Greater Victoria Coalition to End homelessness. 

  Cristal Sargent
  Cristal is a Masters student in the Department of Sociology. Her research interests include social movements, homelessness and housing. Specifically, Cristal is interested in using sociological research methods and social movements theory to shed light on social movement action in marginalized communities. She is interested in understanding the processes of social exclusion and actions of social change. In the fall of 2009 Cristal participated in an interdisciplinary research practicum course (GS 501) and was paired with a sponsor from the Ministry of Housing and Social Development (MHSD). In this project Cristal researched tent cities and used case studies as a lens to understand more about self-help housing (tent cities) in Toronto, Ontario, Portland, Oregon and Victoria, British Columbia.

  Don Cain
  Don is currently an Honors student in History and Philosophy at the University of Victoria.  He began his educational journey after completing University 101 in 2007.  Since coming to UVic, he was nominated for a Eugenie R. Forsey Award for best undergraduate paper on Labor Relations in Canada.  He is a member of the Street Stories Project.  Street Stories is a community university project that brings together citizens concerned about homelessness and the importance of raising awareness about homelessness in our community.  Don is also a writer for Street Newz and Board member of the Bread and Roses Collective.

Workshop: How to Put Vision into Action

Almost everyone has some really great visions and ideas. Each of these ideas has the potential to make a positive impact and to create change.  The dilemma most of us face is “how do I go about putting this idea to action?”  Join Clay, Carin and Suzanne, current students and recent graduates, as they share some of their stories of how they have successfully geared their visions into action. Their stories include developing a dynamic resource called “Exercise in Disguise” to a large and local fashion-show fundraiser, to cycling across Canada, to raising funds for children across the globe.  Join us for an interactive and fun workshop that will get you moving out of your chair and provide you with some practical planning tools and tips on turning your passion into action. 

Workshop Objectives:

• Learn how to develop vision and ideas
• Learn how to put vision into action in tangible ways through planning, networking and fundraising
• Be inspired to follow your passions and make a difference!        

Workshop Presenters:
Suzanne, Carin and Clay all share a love for having fun while being active.  They love working with youth, engaging with the outdoors, organizing events and helping to inspire people towards health and creativity.  All three of these presenters grew up in Victoria and are either current students or recent alumni of the Recreation and Health Education Degree here at UVic.  They are motivated to help people live the fullest, healthiest lives possible and increase their ability to live out their potential…and have fun in the process!

Suzanne Vander Wekken
Hello everyone!  I am Suzanne. Just like most of you, I am looking to live out my full potential.  I am a recent graduate of the Recreation and Health Education co-op degree program here at UVic. I am currently still on campus managing a project that is working to increase the healthy food and beverage choices offered in recreation facilities across BC.  Cycling is my preferred form of transportation and my current interests include rock climbing, cooking, poetry, event planning, and travel.  I’ve been involved in a wide variety of special events, travel endeavors and leadership roles.   Last year I participated in the Student Leadership Program here at UVic and had a great time at the Student Leadership Conference.  This year I am fortunate enough to be able to play a role in bringing this conference to you!  For me, knowing how to put good ideas into action is a vital characteristic of being a good leader.  My hope is to help others learn more about how to discover their passions, get excited about their dreams, and gain confidence to put their vision into action!

Carin Cownden
My name is Carin Cownden.  I like people and having adventures.  I've just finished my degree in Recreation and Health Education from UVic.  I feel passionate about helping people improve their quality of life.  I am currently heading up a project called brainStormRIDE:  A Cross Canada Cycle for Brain Injury Prevention and Awareness.  In the Summer 2010 I will be on my 2 wheels, getting better acquainted with our vast country. I am collaborating with the Brain Injury Association of Canada and working to gain support, media attention and resources to make it all happen.  Some current accomplishments on the project are hosting fundraising events and publishing an article distributed across North America.  I believe people have great ideas and convictions which should be put into action, which is where leadership development comes into play.  Developing leaders to ignite a team of people into fruitful action is where it's at. 

Clayton Webb
My name is Clayton Webb and I have grown up in Victoria. I am currently completing a degree in Recreation and Health at the University of Victoria. I have worked in various programs for children and youth since I was thirteen. Working these programs resulted in me and my co-workers creating and adapting many fun, creative active games. During the past few years we have been able to put our games down on paper creating a resource called "Exercise in Disguise", along with our resource book we also host many staff trainings and special events.

Total Honesty/ Total Heart: practical strategies for conflict resolution

Nonviolent Communication is a model for conflict resolution that can successfully facilitate honesty, empathy, self-compassion, mutually
satisfying solutions, genuine apology and reconciliation. Conflict outcomes tend to be rooted in what matters most to those involved.

This workshop will introduce the foundational components of Nonviolent Communication (Rosenberg, 2003) as well as practical applications for small group situations, personal life, and group leadership. Participants will exercise concrete skills that enrich communication and conflict resolution. This workshop will include brief lectures, small group discussion, interactive role-play, applied demonstration and a question/answer session. Key topic areas that will be covered during the workshop include: balancing honesty with empathy, self-care, transforming anger, a unique approach to apology and forgiveness, and restorative conflict resolution.

Workshop Objectives:

• To express oneself honestly without labeling, blaming, or shaming others
• To listen with compassion for oneself and for others
• To generate mutually satisfying solutions to conflict

Workshop Presenter: Marion Little
Marion Little, BA Linguistics, MA Dispute Resolution, is a Past-President of the BC Network for Compassionate Communication. Marion is the Executive Director for Threshold Housing Society, which provides transitional housing for youth at risk of homelessness on Vancouver island. Since 1990, Marion has actively explored the intersections between communication skills and conflict resolution, concentrating on schools, family relationships, and youth. This passion has resulted in ongoing contributions to community initiatives including parent education and the Red Cross ‘RespectEd’ Violence Prevention programs.

Marion has studied Nonviolent Communication extensively for the past ten years, paralleled by academic research addressing language-use and empathy development during conflict. Her current projects in San Diego CA and Vancouver BC schools assess the impact of NVC on peer harassment, bullying, self-harm, and school climate. Marion refers to Nonviolent Communication as a language of Restorative Justice, identifying it as an efficient and effective process for building trust and fostering empathy.

Workshop: Personal Sustainability:  Are You in the Driver’s Seat?

In this workshop participants will have a unique opportunity to explore the various aspects of wellness and apply it to their own lives.  This lively and interactive workshop will provide useful knowledge and fun tools to assist students in creating their best and healthiest self yet.  Participants will discover that being personally sustainable, powerful, and extraordinary is attainable for everyone.  It’s all about getting back into the driver’s seat of our health and well-being!

Workshop Objectives:

• Participants will be able to identify areas within their own wellness that they want to improve on
• Participants will gain knowledge and useful strategies to be able to apply the aspects of wellness to their day-to-day living
• Participants will understand that they have the power to make positive healthy choices each and every day and that it is the culmination of these choices that reveal how ‘well’ you really are

Workshop Presenter:  Sara Wegwitz
In 1998, Sara graduated with distinction from the University of Victoria with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.  Her keenness for adventure and thirst for knowledge have generated a varied career.  Work in the United States and Canada has enabled Sara to gain experience in working with individuals and their families of different cultures, ethnicities and of varying socio-economic backgrounds.  She has worked as a sessional Nursing instructor at Camosun College and was able to share her expertise and foster growth of second year nursing students.  Sara believes strongly in the importance of team work and advocacy for patients and their families. 

Sara started working at UVic’s Jack Petersen Health Centre as a full time R.N. in 2005.  She now holds the position of Clinical Nurse Educator/Outreach Nurse for Health Services.  This position has allowed Sara to pursue her passion for health promotion on a wide variety of topics for the unique community found within a University setting.

Sara successfully completed the Leadership Victoria program in June 2009.  She is an active volunteer with various community organizations in Victoria.
Sara is a strong believer in maintaining personal wellbeing and an optimist at heart.  She balances her professional life with many physical activities such as cycling, dance and running as well as traveling and sharing in a good laugh daily with friends, family and colleagues.  

Workshop: Arts Based Learning and Leadership

This workshop will utilize methods, games and strategies deriving from Headlines Theatre’s “Theatre for Living.”  Students will have the opportunity to participate using their full bodies, heads and hearts.  Participants will draw their own conclusions about Leadership based on the symbolism in each of the methods.

Workshop Objectives:

• To experience arts-base pedagogy (teaching style)
• To expand thinking on different approaches to communication
• To be inspired to experiment with arts-based practices in their own work

Workshop Presenter: Dr. Catherine Etmanski
Catherine works as a Sessional Instructor and Educational Consultant in the Educational Psychology and Leadership Studies Program in the Faculty of Education.  She trained with Headlines Theatre in order to imagine how to use these methods in conducting her doctoral research.  She has been fortunate to have extensive travel experience all over the world, and this has helped her to understand how the world can be interpreted in so many different ways – which is also the basis of the symbolic language used in this method.  For Catherine, education is at the centre of much community leadership work.  She chooses to work with arts based methods because she finds them fun and activating for the whole body.

Workshop: Parties, public rallies and speaking tours: organizing events that matter

They might be small workshops or large celebrations – but we have all attended successful and fun events that have inspired or motivated or educated us. In all cases, the work of gathering people together for a purpose, whether it’s in our homes, in the streets, or in a large auditorium, have certain characteristics in common.

In this workshop, participants will work together and build from their own experiences to articulate what it takes to organize and carry off a successful event. Participants will also discuss and learn about essential elements of event planning that include: identifying your audience, understanding an event’s objectives and goals, and mapping out key planning stages.

Workshop Objectives:

• To learn how to identifying the goals and purpose behind the decision to organize an event.
• To understand the key factors and logistics to consider when organizing an event.
• To gain the confidence necessary to envision and plan a meaningful event.

Workshop Presenter: Olive Dempsey
Olive has spent ten years working and volunteering in various forms of community organizing and public engagement – all with the intention to be part of building a more just and sustainable world. 

This has led her to work on issues of young voter and civic engagement campaigns, corporate globalization, public health care, media literacy, climate change and environmental sustainability.  One of the key tools of this work has involved bringing people together and creating spaces where they can learn, meet one another and share in a common sense of purpose. These events have taken the form of dance parties, public speaking tours, community cafes, and more.  

Olive works from the premise that we are at a critical moment in time, when factors like climate change, poverty and civic (dis)engagement require our full attention, as people on this planet. I also believe that we are at moment of incredible opportunity to build a world that is more joyful, just and sustainable than the one we currently know.   It is these two perspectives that motivate her work.

Workshop: Exploring your University Student's Society

This workshop will explain what the UVSS is and why it is necessary to have student representatives.  We will discuss some of the UVSS campaigns, events and communication strategies.  We will explore examples of how the UVSS has been effective within the university as well as across the province and country. You will find out about how students can get involved as volunteers as well as hear more about election opportunities.  You will also learn about the many skill sets you can develop when becoming involved in the UVSS and how that will help further develop your leadership skills.

Workshop Learning Objectives:

• Find out how to get involved in your student society
• Learn about the changes you can affect at UVic
• Learn about organizing and lobbying skills

Workshop Presenter: Veronica Harrison
Veronica is the chairperson of the UVSS.  She is a leader to all undergrad students at UVic and acts as a representative in all of the UVSS board of director’s decisions.  Veronica believes strongly in the capacity student government.  The student movement is one of the largest organized movements in Canada.  She believes that student’s united can affect much change in our country and province.  Veronica along with the UVSS works hard to make education accessible to everyone.

Workshop: Leading the Way to Environmental Sustainability

Do you have a passion for environmental and sustainability issues? Have you heard of the little things you can change in your everyday life? Looking to do more?

Here is your chance to listen to five prominent members of the “Green” movement in Victoria, and ask questions, share ideas, and get feedback.  Our panelists are passionate about their environmental causes and will provide insight to help you take the next step towards environmental sustainability.

Come be inspired to lead a greener lifestyle.

Workshop Objectives:

Workshop participants will learn from campus and community environmental leaders as they address the following questions:

• What is your background in sustainability issues and can you give us a description of what you are focusing on now?
• What was your inspiration for getting involved with environmental stewardship? Was there a key event or time in your life that led you down this path?
• Using a specific example, how did you take your concerns and passions for the planet and translate them into meaningful action?
• From your perspective, what is an innovative or interesting idea or concept that you have heard about in the environmental movement to keep an eye on for the future?
• Can you give us your top 3 suggestions on ways delegates in this room could contribute to making a difference starting tomorrow?

  Panel Members:
  Sarah Webb (Panel Moderator)
  Originally from Whistler BC, Sarah has been active in the sustainability movement for more than 15 years.  She is a mom, activist and commuter cyclist.  Sarah is currently leading up the Capital Regional District Climate Action Program – the CAP aims to support the 13 local governments in the region in developing and implementing climate change reduction and adaptation strategies. Her previous professional experience includes the University of Victoria Office of Campus Planning and Sustainability, the Ministry of Advanced Education, the Canadian Urban Transit Association, and the Centre for Urban Innovation.  Sarah currently sits on boards for the BC Sustainable Energy Association, the Victoria Car Share Co-op and the Bike to Work Society.  Sarah is sick of the status quo – unhappy and unhealthy people; imbalanced planet, and economic unrest.  She believes that there is so much potential for our region to be an exemplar of sustainability for the rest of BC and around the world.  She feels that there are so many incredible youth, adults and elders in this region that it is hard not to get inspired by what is going on and take action!  She wants to create a GENERATION G: where people of all ages get together to transform social norms.  Where people are gracious, gentle, generous and green.  
  

  Phil Dearden
  Phil is a UVic professor.  He has been teaching courses in environmental sustainability for almost 30 years.  Phil has worldwide field work experience in developing countries. He specializes in conservation, protected areas, marine, tropics, and SE Asia.  Phil is motivated by the desire to make change happen.

  Bill Finley
  Bill was a student at one time and then got older!  He has taught at both the elementary and high school levels.  He started an art business which entailed travel to Java (an island of Indonesia) annually and has also been a book publisher.  He now works at Hemp and company, an organization that was started by his son.   The store sells clothing from environmentally beneficent hemp and other natural fibres.  Bill is motivated by opportunities for education about environmental issues in a practical fashion.

  Monika Winn
  Monika started her academic studies in Psychology in Germany, completed a Masters thesis in Southern California and then moved permanently to North America.  At this time Monika’s life took a different turn, instead of pursuing her field, she delved into motorcycle mechanics and then started her own specialty business.  It was then that she discovered how much fun, and how much of a challenge, it is to be in business.  It was also during this time when her fascination grew about how things are made.  While still running her firm, she decided to get an MBA and got hooked by the University again.  She moved on to get her PhD in Management and changed directions to a career in teaching and research.  Monika was intrigued by the natural environment.  This area was just beginning to be talked about by proactive businesses and she felt that it should also be brought into business studies.  This is how she came to combine business strategy and sustainability.   Monika finds her work exciting, constantly changing, challenging and scary at times; most of all, it allows her to put her education and her strengths to use in a way that engages others (i.e., students, academic colleagues, business practitioners) and allows them to fully apply themselves in meaningful ways.

Transforming Scholarship to Grassroots Action

This workshop will focus on examples of Indigenous leadership based on traditional Wet’suwet’en governance. Discussion will focus on Indigenous leadership principles such as accountability and respect and will include examples of grassroots initiatives through a Wet’suwet’en Action Research Centre.

Workshop Objectives:

• Introducing Indigenous leadership, founded on accountability and respect for all beings.
• Providing students with concrete, realistic examples of Indigenous leadership at a grassroots level.
• Creating awareness of Indigenous/Settler relationships.

Workshop Presenters: Molly Wickham and Carla Lewis
Molly Wickham and Carla Lewis are both M.A. candidate students in the Indigenous Governance program.  Molly has a BA in Sociology-social justice and Carla has a BA in Anthropology and First Nations Studies. Molly also works as a Cultural Liaison at the Victoria Youth Custody Centre.  Carla and Molly are members of the Gitdumden clan from the Wet’suwet’en Nation, in the Bulkley Valley of northern B.C. Upon completing the MA program in Indigenous Governance, they plan to return to their community and engage in grassroots research and cultural revitalization.

Leveraging your University Experience

Students interested in learning how to describe their experiences at university and throughout their degrees to prospective employers will learn fundamental delivery skills including elevator pitching. Workshop participants will also learn the difference between capabilities, skills and competencies, using their core competencies to develop a personal career brand to market themselves effectively in their job hunt.

Workshop Objectives:

• Learn how to create and deliver an “elevator pitch”.
• Find out how to sell your competencies to potential employers
• Create a powerful impression with a personal career brand

Workshop Presenter: Jennifer Gill
Jennifer is a passionate promoter of integrating workplace and academic learning in university programs to support students in their transitions to their chosen career paths. She currently works as the Experiential Learning Officer in the Faculty of Business. Jennifer has a variety of experience including being an academic and marketing director for a large international school and working as an environmental consultant and researcher. She also has a broad range of experience teaching in the private sector, human resources training (e.g., recruiting/hiring/training staff) along with expertise in using technology for career planning and management. Jennifer has travelled throughout Asia, Europe and Latin America.

Workshop: Global Engagement: Getting involved at Home and Abroad

Join our panelists for a candid and informative discussion about the ways in which we as individuals can engage with the global community both at home and abroad. Our panelists will share their international experiences and discuss some of the challenges of contributing positively to the global community, as well as some of the many rewards. Our panelists will also share their experiences making a global impact from home. Feel free to bring your questions.

Workshop Learning Objectives:

• An introduction to some of the ways students can engage with the global community both at home and abroad.
• An introduction to some of the issues students should consider when going abroad: fundraising to pay for international experiences, preparing for cultural transition and the re-entry process, working with and respecting host communities, etc.
• An opportunity to connect with individuals who have engaged with the global community both at home and abroad.

  Panel Members:
  Micaela Roughton
  Micaela first travelled to a developing nation as part of a high school experiential learning trip to Cuernavaca, Mexico.  Confronted by abject poverty, her future career plans as a chemical engineer fell away in pursuit of an education that would provide tools to confront global inequality.  Micaela enrolled in the University of Toronto’s International Development Program, later focusing her efforts on African Studies and Political Science.  Following her graduation in 2008, she secured an internship with the Centre for International Health at the University of Toronto.  Through this project she spent her summer in Lusaka, Zambia examining the relationship between gender and HIV/AIDS among university students.  While in Zambia, Micaela spent time volunteering at the Nyumba Yanga Orphanage.  The girls at the orphanage quickly became close to her heart.  Micaela was disheartened to learn that despite its vital role in the lives of these young girls, the orphanage had no source of long-term financial support.  Since returning from Zambia, Micaela has sought to create alternative and stable funding channels for the Nyumba Yanga Orphanage. This led to the birth of “Homes of Joy,” a non-profit organization working to meet the needs of orphaned children, with the Nyumba Yanga project as its first international project.   Micaela currently works in the Residence Life Office at the University of Victoria as a Residence Area Coordinator.

  Ashling Ligate
  Ashling is a UVic undergraduate Student in the Faculty of Humanities, Department of Women’s Studies.  She is also a Buddy Program Coordinator (IESS work study position).  Ashling is a Millennium Foundation Excellence Award recipient and volunteers with Restorative Justice Victoria.  She has also volunteered with the Blyth Education Community Service Program and did a volunteer tour of the US/Mexico border focusing on the effects of NAFTA.  Ashling feels that she is very privileged and has access to many resources.  She is able and willing to use her resources to confront oppression in her own community and reach out to others who are trying to do the same abroad.  She believes that if we refuse to be part of the solution, we are resigning ourselves to be part of the problem.

Workshop: Working in the 21st Century: Managing Diversity and Inclusive Communication

This workshop is about exploring the issues of managing diversity which does not imply control or manipulation; rather, it means creating an environment that enables everyone to contribute to their full potential.

By the end of the workshop, participants will be able to increase their personal awareness of diversity; identify their personal communication styles in a different cultural setting; develop skills and strategies, at a personal and an organizational level.

Workshop Objectives

• To develop a specific understanding of diversity, culture and their intersections
• To learn practical skills on how to communicate inclusively and deal appropriately and in a timely manner with issues of diversity and culture
• To develop diversity competencies and refine your tool box of strategies
• To reflect on the policies and legislations that deals with diversity, diversity issues and its intersecting issues

Workshop Presenter: Moussa Magassa
Moussa currently works as the Human Rights Educator at the UVic Equity and Human Rights office where his focus is to enhance understanding of and commitment to the university's human rights and equity goals by raising the awareness of students, staff, faculty, supervisory personnel and administrators on a range of human rights issues with the end goal of increasing diversity and creating fair and inclusive work and study environment at UVic.

Previous to moving to Victoria, he was working in Vancouver as a Program Coordinator in the Settlement department's Community Bridging Stream at ISS where his duties included the coordination and promotion of social integration and adaptation programs for refugees and immigrants in Canada. Before immigrating to Canada, Moussa worked in the demilitarization field in post-Apartheid South Africa, specializing in conflict analysis/resolution, non-violence peace education and curriculum design. He has extensive experience, researching, designing and training young adults in "alternatives to violence" skills; intercultural communication, non-violence, human rights and anti-racism.

Moussa holds an MA in Human Security and Peacebuilding (Royal Roads University, Victoria), and a BA (Hons) in Conflict Resolution and Peace Studies (Kwazulu-Natal University, South Africa) among others.  He was born in Senegal (West Africa) and speaks many languages in addition to English and French.

“I believe in the African concept of Ubuntu, that people are people because of other people. I define myself as the kind of person who believes in the crucial importance of relationships, of the human interactions and particularly of the reality that not only our human issues are interconnected but that our life can evolve outside of each other. Peace is what I believe in as the only and sustainable alternative for all of us. This is what I look forward to everyday when I wake up.”