Monday, September 14, 2020
6:40 PM – Pre-Symposium Mini-Concert
7:00 PM – Speakers and Presentations
Learn more about the City Symposium format and series.
The first United Nations Sustainable Development Goal says, End poverty in all its forms everywhere. At this City Symposium, we explore the question: What needs to happen to end poverty in our city?
This is a virtual, online event.
Registration
(If you have any trouble using this form, please try registering at citysymposium8.eventbrite.ca)
Who will be there?
Melanie-Anne Atkins, PhD is the Acting Associate Director, Graduate Programs at Western University’s Centre for Teaching and Learning and an Adjunct Research Professor at the Centre for Research on Teaching and Learning in Higher Education. Her research interests include: engaging students with traditionally marginalized identities in the academy, mental health literacy, holistic graduate student development, peer mentorship and education, and anti-oppressive practices in education. In 2016, she led the creation and development of Western’s Wellness Education Centre into a student-led wellness education innovation hub.
Abe Oudshoorn, PhD (@abeoudshoorn) is an Assistant Professor at The Arthur Labatt Family School of Nursing at Western University. His teaching interests involve community health, mental health, global health, research methods/statistics, and advanced Nursing theory. Abe also researches homelessness prevention, women’s homelessness, program evaluation, health promotion, refugee housing outcomes, participatory action research, and poverty and health.
Susan Macphail has seen how arts based creative expressions can promote social justice by making space and giving voice to individuals and communities who experience poverty and marginalization. In over four decades of engagement in and with many communities, Susan believes that art can be a powerful tool to illuminate systemic and structural violence and support resiliency, resistance, and empowerment. Susan currently works independently providing consultation, education and training on Trauma and Violence Informed (TVIC) and Cultural Humility approaches and practices across regions in Ontario and beyond.
Amy Rathan is 31 years old and struggled with addiction, homelessness and prostitution for 10 years of her life. She has been sober for 7 years. Throughout her recovery, she has sought to support others who are struggling against the challenges she faced along the way. Amy is the founder of Impact London, an organization creating innovative opportunities for people in recovery. She advocates for peer-led supports that not only provide opportunities for those in recovery but also provide inspirational leadership for those who still struggle.
Jonathan Rivard is a Manager with the City of London’s Homeless Prevention department, acting as the emergent technology, indigenous, and veteran homelessness lead for the community. Jonathan brings a decade of management consulting experience around social services and housing, and his education includes a Master’s in Business, Entrepreneurship and Technology (MBET) from the University of Waterloo, and a Certified Management Consultant (CMC) designation from CMC Canada. Jonathan is passionate about the use of data and new technologies to end chronic homelessness, particularly in addressing homelessness among indigenous and veteran populations in London.
Malvin Wright is a community development practitioner with over 20 years of experience leading global health and community development projects, programs and campaigns in over 4 countries globally, Nunavut and Ontario. Malvin has led HIV/AIDS prevention education, Milennium Develop Goals (MDG), Micro-credit, Malnutrition and Public Health programs through an empowerment and community led approach. He is passionate about finding creative solutions that are grounded in equity, justice and solidarity. Malvin currently sits on the Board of Directors with Pillar Not for Profit in London, ON and is a founding member of the Black London Network while participating and lending his experience to various community development and social justices projects and programs in London.
Musical Guest
Shane Wilcox, aka. ‘TaToE’, is a professional multi-talented, award winning Artist in London, Canada. He works with London Arts Council and runs a small business with his Life partner, Kim. Affectionately called, ‘Studio SHIM’. Offering a wide variety of Canadian produced creative goodies and services. From writing original tracks, to playing in a 7 piece, improvised jam band called, ‘Prism Tape Philosophy’. His live performance is a form of musical meditation. Using a collection of synths, samplers and drum machines. He creates deep bass, atmospheric pads, progressive keys, evoking leads & spacey fx with sprinkled in elements of empowering speeches. All melodies and rhythm, coming together in that moment of space and time. Building the vibes as they happen, with the surrounding energy.
