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Invitation to COP 17 in Durban, South Africa

Published April 15, 2011

by iris_author

York University's Institute for Research and Innovation in Sustainability (IRIS: http://www.irisyorku.ca/) would like to invite proposals for presentations from researchers in the Canadian North and South (especially students/youth) to be part of our application to host a COP 17 Side Event. The main objectives of the workshop/side event would be to provide researchers from the Canadian North/South a chance to share their experiences and understanding of climate change whether in their daily lives or through their research. The focus is on climate change and health research; however, the goal is to 'share experiences' broadly related to the impacts people are facing everyday.

Why York University?

York University currently has observer status for COP 17 (Durban, South Africa - Nov 2011) and would like to send a delegation of students from York and from across the Arctic. IRIS representatives have attended both COP15 (Copenhagen, Denmark) and COP16 (Cancun, Mexico). Delegates' previous experiences and involvement have included: presentations at Klimaforum, COP Side Events and other academic seminars; published media and journal articles; and, the formation of international research partnerships.

What About the Cost?

A proposal is being prepared to send to the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) to request money to host a workshop as a side event at the COP 17 meeting. The main theme of the proposed workshop will be: "'Our Actions Have Consequences': Student Perspectives on Climate Change and Health from the North."

Highlights...

As part of the proposals to SSHRC and for a COP Side Event, IRIS has been granted permission to include a screening of the film "Qapirangajuq: Inuit Knowledge and Climate Change," co-directed by acclaimed Inuk filmmaker Zacharias Kunuk and Dr. Ian Mauro.

For more information about the film please see this link: http://www.isuma.tv/hi/en/inuit-knowledge-and-climate-change

The Process

The timeline for securing funding and then to submit a full Side Event application will be:

  1. April 25: Deadline to send title/abstract (150 words) to Rachel Hirsch (rhirsch@yorku.ca) indicating interest in presenting at the proposed workshop/side event
  2. May 2: Final deadline for application to SSHRC for workshop funding
  3. August 16-19: Application window for COP 17 Side Events

Contact:
Rachel Hirsch, PhD
Postdoctoral Fellow
Faculty of Environmental Studies
HNES 276, York University
4700 Keele Street, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M3J 1P3
Mobile: 647-385-1811
Office: 416 736 2100 ex. 20147
Fax: 416-736-5679
Email: rhirsch@yorku.ca

Executive Board Member of IRIS, York University

Posted in: IRIS News

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