Published June 23, 2011
by iris_author
Who are we?
We are a growing network of researchers, film makers, activists, indigenous peoples, students, teachers, and youth who want to encourage dialogue about climate politics by creating democratic spaces where all Canadians and other international guests can participate in discussions about what a changing climate means at home, across Canada and internationally -- and what we can do about it! We are inspired, hopeful, and engaged Canadians and early career researchers.
What are our objectives?
- To connect Canadians who have something to say or share about their experiences within a changing world.
>>>> LET’S SHARE!
- To work together to voice the important issues that should be the focus of climate politics at the upcoming November COP 17 meetings in Durban, South Africa, and thereafter.
>>>> LET’S ACT!
What are we going to do?
York University’s Institute for Research and Innovation in Sustainability (IRIS) and the Association of Polar Early Career Scientists (APECS) would like to co-host a virtual workshop September 27-29, 2011 to organize in advance of the 17th United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Conference of the Parties in Durban, South Africa (COP 17). The agenda is being developed through an online collaborative process. Content prepared before, during and after the workshop will be disseminated widely using IRIS, APECS, IsumaTV and other websites (e.g., blogging, webcasts, and news feeds). Prior to the workshop, each attendee’s research objectives, findings, and discussion questions about problems yet to be addressed will be made available on partner websites. This will allow workshop sessions to focus on discussion and development of more targeted questions. This process is being used to prepare proposals for COP 17 Side Events.
In other words, as a collective group, we will need to:
1. decide on 3-4 possible side event application topics and elect coordinators (from the organizing committee and/or workshop attendees) to lead discussion and development (online sharing of resources) of each application for COP 17 (July 2011);
2. submit side event applications through York or other eligible organizations with observer status (August 16-19, 2011); and,
3. participate in pre-COP 17 workshop(s) based on our side event proposals in preparation for COP 17 (September, 2011).
Why is this important?
In 2009, York University’s IRIS hosted its first Ecojustice Conference which brought together activists and academics from the Global South and the North to discuss climate change and community-based responses. Participants worldwide agreed on the need to discover new ways to mobilize, respect traditional knowledge, incorporate community assets and needs in policies, and cherish diversity. Our hope is that this September's workshop, Climate Justice II, will help build a network of researchers and community members interested in being part of an ongoing knowledge co-production process by creating a space for imaginative dialogue leading up to, into, and beyond COP 17.
Why get involved?
Participation in Climate Justice II will allow attendees to share their experiences formally (film screenings or presentations) and informally by identifying and engaging in dialogue about issues they care about. The themes selected for inclusion in the workshop will be used as the basis to propose a range of side events at the COP 17 meeting, and other actions. We hope to send representatives to Durban, and to continue our collaboration on climate justice, action and politics.
Partners in democratic action on COP 17
York University’s Institute for Research and Innovation in Sustainability (IRIS: http://www.irisyorku.ca/)
Association of Polar Early Career Scientists (APECS: http://www.apecs.is/)
Isuma Productions (http://www.isuma.tv/isuma-productions)
Others are welcome!!
For general inquiries please contact rhirsch@yorku.ca.
Posted in: Events
