The earthquake in Haiti and the subsequent human suffering calls for a critical analysis of Haiti’s history, poverty and political disempowerment. It is in this context that the York Centre for International & Security Studies (YCISS) is hosting a panel discussion on the issues tomorrow.
“Haiti: The Mobilization of Aid, Public Discourses and Political Action within Canada” will examine how the mobilization of aid is occurring through the media, diasporas, non-governmental organizations, the military – particularly the Canadian Forces – and other government institutions, and to what effect.
The discussion will take place Thursday, Feb. 11, from 2 to 3:45pm in the Conference Centre, 519 York Research Tower, Keele campus.
Of crucial importance is the question concerning the politically and ideologically motivated agendas of the international community, one that appears now to be coming to the aid of the Haitians.
The following speakers will engage in a round-table discussion on the current situation in Haiti and its future, for the purposes of generating much needed debate at all levels.
- Manuel Rozental of the University of Toronto and a coordinator for the Canada-Colombia Solidarity Campaign;
- History Professor Melanie Newton of the University of Toronto;
- Professor Nalini Persram of York’s Department of Social Science, Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies.
After the discussion, the York-Haiti Solidarity Committee will meet in 280N York Lanes at 4pm. For more information about the York-Haiti Solidarity Committee, contact Marshall Beck, coordinator of the Centre for Research on Latin America & the Caribbean at mbeck@yorku.ca or the York-Haiti Solidarity Committee listserv at YORK-HAITI@yorku.ca.
Due to space restrictions, participation for this forum is by pre-registration. To register, click here.
This discussion is part of the YCISS Contentious Conflicts & Canadian Society series which has served as a forum for facilitating constructive public dialogues on highly resonant political issues of importance on campus and in Canadian society and politics. It also seeks to examine and discuss the mobilization of public support and political action for issues of global political importance within Canada.
For more information, visit the YCISS Web site.