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Tools for Mobilization Conference

Date: Saturday, February 7th, 2009.
Time: 10:00am - 5:00pm
Price: $5 (pay at the door)
Location: University Centre, University of Ottawa
Registration: Register Online Now!

DETAILS:

This conference is on Saturday, February 7th, 2009 and concludes International Development Week at the University of Ottawa. The conference is intended to give participants from varying backgrounds the opportunity to come together and reflect on their common goals and develop an action plan around those goals. Groups are organized around three key themes, that follow with the themes laid out during IDW:

Natural Resources (food, water and sanitation)
Security and Conflict Resolution
Policy, Governance and Education

To kick the day off we have Peter Levesque, a Knowledge Mobilization Specialist. His interactive talk addresses how we integrate multiple sources of data, information and knowledge into our daily activities, whether they be consumer decisions, or high-level policy decisions? How do we, collectively and individually, move from making decisions based mostly on opinion to making decisions based on individual as well as collective understanding? How do we move from holding on to what we know rather than sharing it and acting on it in ways that are mutually beneficial? From there a series of skill based workshops will help individuals acquire new or improve existing skills towards their goals in international development. The day culminates with each group coming together to to prepare a presentation to the rest of the conference participants, and then presenting.

OBJECTIVES:

To encourage a wide range of participants to attend the conference.
To provide conference participants with the skills necessary to encourage effective mobilization around international human rights issues.
To inspire participants to progress beyond the current constructs which limit our ability to address global issues, particularly as they relate to Universal Human Rights.
To provide participants with a network of individuals and groups at the University of Ottawa who are engaged in international human rights issues.

DETAILS/ SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:

10:00 – 10:30	Registration and snacks
10:30 – 11:00	Group Meet and Greet -Each group member will introduce themselves within their designated group and speak a little bit about their experience, what has brought them to the day, and their affinity with the over-arching topic.
11:00 – 12:00	Welcome and Keynote address: Peter Levesque, Knowledge Mobilization Specialist
12:00 – 12:10	Travel time to first break out session
12:10 – 12:40	Breakout session -Each group member, with their group, will reflect on the the message of the keynote speaker and how it relates to their experience of trying to influence positive social change.
12:40 – 1:25	Lunch: Provided by The Table Restaurant
1:25 – 2:25	Skills Training Session #1 (choices and descriptions are listed below)
2:25 – 2:35	Break/Travel Time
2:35 – 3:35	Skills Training Session #2 (choices and descriptions are listed below)
3:35 – 3:40	Travel Time
3:40 – 4:30	Regrouping and Action Planning/Reflection on the day -Each group will reflect on what they have taken from the day and will record the message that they wish to pass on to others from their experiences as it pertains to their field of interest. Groups are will then be encouraged to come develop with an action plan that can be put into place at the University of Ottawa.
4:30 – 5:00	Group Presentations and Closing Remarks -Each group will then present their reflections and/or action plan to all of the conference attendees.
5:00 – 6:00	Reception

WORKSHOPS:

Workshops #1

CENTRE FOR EQUITY AND HUMAN RIGHTS- Positive Space Training (French)
This workshop will offer participants simple, concrete and practical ways to be inclusive and respectful, all while celebrating the diversity in their initiatives.

OPIRG- Deconstructing Development (English)
This workshop will provide conference participants with a critical analysis of what development is and of the role of dependency versus empowerment in a development context. It will allow groups and individuals the tools to turn the lens inward and evaluate their actions from a critical perspective.

SFUO- Campaigns (English)
This workshop will provide conference participants with the tools to initiate, organize, or volunteer campaigns on campus around issues that are of concern.

Workshops #2

GSAED: Mobilizing yourself and others (grassroots organizing) (French)
How to organize a consultation, an assembly and mobilize people. How to engage people in a cause that they hold close to their hearts. This workshop will deal with ways to convince and engage people through technology and diplomacy.

CSA & THE FULCRUM- Working with the Media (English)
This workshop will provide students with the tools for getting their message out into the media. From writing a press release to getting a reporter to cover a story, this is how you can get your message out there.

CSA & ZOOM PRODUCTIONS: Using Technology (English)
This workshop will focus on communications and marketing through the World Wide Web. It will improve your ability to network socially on the internet, and to use it to its full potential to get the message out there.

REGISTRATION:

Click here to register online

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