2021 Social Science Festival explores “Identity”

October 22, 2021

Rises in populism and identity politics; crises, concerns and issues of violence, social justice and equity faced by women, visible minority groups, linguistic, religious and ethno cultural minorities, Indigenous peoples and LGBTQ2+ communities; continuing issues and challenges surrounding the Covid19 pandemic and the environment; all of these phenomena can be linked to notions of identity.

From October 25 to the 28th the 2021 Vanier College Social Science Festival will feature guest speakers from across the political and social spectrum from within Canada and elsewhere who will explore identity from various perspectives, to ponder if and how, identity can be potentially harnessed as a unifying instrument to foster harmony rather than dissent. All events are free of charge and open to the Vanier community and to the public. No registration is required. Some events will be live in the Vanier Auditorium and others will be virtual. The following talks will be presented by guest speakers at the 2021 Social Science Festival:

  • “Rapports between linguistic communities and our fight, as a nation, against racism” presented by Christopher Skeete, MNA (Ste-Rose), CAQ and Parliamentary Assistant to the Premier for Relations with English-Speaking Quebecers and Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister Responsible for the Fight Against Racism.

  • “Covid19 and Quebecers’ Health Identity” by Horacio Arruda, National Director of Public Health and Assistant Deputy Minister, Ministry of Health and Social Services

  • “Everything is connected: Environment, Economics, Foreign Policy, Sustainability, Human Rights and Leadership in the 21st Century” presented by Sheila Watt-Cloutier, Inuit-Canadian Environmental, Cultural, and Human Rights Advocate

  • Discussion with Dominique Anglade: “Daring to Build Tomorrow with Boldness”. Leader of the Quebec Liberal Party and MNA (St-Henri-Ste-Anne)

  • “Feminism and Identity” by Martine Delvaux, Author and Professor of Literature and Women’s Studies, UQAM

  • “Scotland, the UK and Identity”, presented by Peter Jackson, Professor and Chair in Global Security, School of Humanities, University of Glasgow.

  • “L’identité Québécoise, une identité au-delà de nos différences” with Paul St-Pierre Plamondon, Chef du Parti Québécois

  • “How Identity plays a role in our lives” by Mitchell Rae, MA Candidate in Sociology (Concordia University) and Executive Director of Project 10

  • “Global Anxiety, Values and Identity”, Guy Lachapelle, Professor of Political Science and Director, Center on Values, Attitudes and Societies, Concordia University; President of the Quebec Political Science Association

  • “Coming together to tackle climate change and reclaim our future” Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois, Québec Solidaire Spokesperson and MNA (Gouin

  • “Systemic Discrimination and Economic Growth,” Moses Gashirabake, Community Leader and CEO, Mo Gashi & Partners.

For the schedule, links and complete program with details and descriptions go to: https://vaniersocialsciencefest.com/