January will feature several guest speakers and the 29th annual Robbie Burns Night as part of the popular McLaughlin College Lunch Talks series. The long-running series continues this winter in a virtual format via Zoom.
Students who attend six or more lunch talks throughout the year will receive a Certificate of Participation, while those who attend 10 or more will receive a Certificate of Honour.
January features five events, taking place Jan. 19, 20, 21, 25 and 27 via Zoom.
Jan. 19 – UN International Day of Education, 12:30-2 p.m.
The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 24 January as International Day of Education in celebration of the role of education for peace and development. Without inclusive and equitable quality education and lifelong opportunities for all, countries will not succeed in achieving gender equality and breaking the cycle of poverty that is leaving millions of children, youth and adults behind.
This year’s theme is ‘Recover and Revitalize Education for the COVID-19 Generation.’ How can we reinforce our learning tactics while engaging students during a pandemic? These reinvented or new methods can be carried over to enmesh different styles of learning. Now is the time to power education by stepping up collaboration and international solidarity to place education and lifelong learning at the center of the recovery.
James C. Simeon, head of McLaughlin College and associate professor in York University’s School of Public Policy and Administration, will moderate a presentation featuring: Sarah Dryden-Peterson, associate professor at Harvard Graduate School of Education; Charles Hopkins, UNESCO Chair in Reorienting Education towards Sustainability at York University; and Heather Lotherington, professor and associate dean of research at York University’s Faculty of Education.
Visit this link to register: https://laps.apps01.yorku.ca/machform/view.php?id=998371.
Jan. 20 – The Collingwood Judicial Inquiry: Public Trust and Municipal Ethics, 12:30-1:30 p.m.
In 2018 the Town of Collingwood established a judicial inquiry into the 50 per cent share sale of Collingwood Utility Services Corporation to PowerStream Inc., which inquired into and reported on the processes leading to the sale, the allocation of proceeds of the transaction for recreational facilities and any fees or benefits paid to anyone in the creation of those facilities. The inquiry also examined the impact of these events on the good governance of the municipality and made 306 recommendations.
This discussion will outline the issues facing the inquiry, how it was conducted and key recommendations, with particular focus on the roles of the mayor, advisors and officials, and related ethics issues, specifically the influence of office and conflict of interest.
The discussion will be presented by Associate Chief Justice Frank N. Marrocco and the inquiry’s lead counsel, Kate McGrann.
Visit this link to register: https://yorku.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJctcuuopzouGtRgYfYHkxYVmzYj92pmgDL1.
Jan 21. – The UN Refugee Agency: 70 Years On, Why We Are Still Here, 12:30-1:30 p.m.
Rema Jamous Imseis, UNHCR Representative in Canada. Photo: UNHCR/James Park.
This year, UNHCR marks its 70th anniversary, but this milestone is no cause for celebration – rather, it signals the failure of the international community to prevent and end displacement around the world. The talk will offer a small window into the state of global displacement, including the political and humanitarian dimensions, and highlight the role of Canada and Canadians in identifying solutions for refugees.
This session will be presented by Rema Jamous Imseis, the United Nations high commissioner for refugees (UNHCR) Representative to Canada.
Visit this link to register: https://yorku.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJMlce6vpzkpE9K1ZsH_WThGXpzPi0FA9fe3.
Jan. 25 – 29th Annual Robbie Burns Night, 7-9 p.m.
Scottish poet Robert Burns. Alexander Nasmyth, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
This year’s annual Robbie Burns Night will be held virtually and feature a poetry reading contest with a first prize of $200. The contest is open to all McLaughlin students, fellows, staff and members of York University. Contestants may submit a maximum of two poems. On Robbie Burns Night, all contestants will be asked to read their poems and the judges will announce the winners for all categories. All submissions must be emailed to Alexandra Iaccino at alexa.iaccino@gmail.com by 4 p.m. on or before Jan. 18. More details are available online.
Visit this link to register: https://laps.apps01.yorku.ca/machform/view.php?id=995127.
Jan. 27 – The Case Study Method in Public Policy and Administration, 12:30-1:30 p.m.
James Simeon
Case studies and the case study method are the most prevalent pedagogical technique across all professional studies be it law, public and business administration, medicine and others. The case study method is used in public policy and administration principally to develop, refine and sharpen a student’s analytical, assessment and diagnostic skill sets and decision-making abilities to come to a correct judgement based on the relevant and factual evidence as applied to the most pertinent authorities and accepted principles and practice.
This talk will focus and draw upon Professor James Simeon’s ongoing work for the second edition of his case book and instructor’s manual, Case Studies in Public Management and Administration.
The presentation will be chaired and moderated by David Leyton-Brown, professor emeritus in the Department of Politics at York University, and former master of McLaughlin and Calumet Colleges.
Visit this link to register: https://laps.apps01.yorku.ca/machform/view.php?id=995893.