Student and Local Organizations Poster Session
Students and local organizations will be given the opportunity to create a poster/exhibit pertaining to environmental initiatives, clubs, sustainability or research taking place at their university or in their community. From 15:00-16:00 on Friday, at least one representative will present and answer questions regarding their display in an assigned room at the KC Irving Centre. Posters/exhibits may be set up anytime after 13:00, and left for the weekend.
Student Lead Workshops
If you are interested in offering a student lead workshop, applications are on the conference blog. A committee will review your application and you will be notified regarding your participation by October 21st. If you have any questions or concerns, contact Mira (102570d@acadiau.ca) or Rachel (111907m@acadiau.ca). Please send finalized applications to ayec.conference@gmail.com.
Student Lead Workshops Application Form
Banquet
The official opening of our conference will be semi-formal attire. Dinner will be served at 19:15 (see Meals for description) followed by music and conversation.
Note: Participants must choose one session from each time slot for the following 4 sessions. See schedule for times.
Environmental Leadership
What do we know about effective change strategies to shift toward sustainability and how can we best put them into practice? This session aims to provide an opportunity to delve into key concepts, critical dialogue and hands-on activities, which explore this question. Led by a leading environmental educator, Dr. Alan Warner will provide a session that will inspire change.
Business and the Environment
Business is a very important part of our world’s environmental impact. We will begin by introducing the Natural Step framework, which we will use to ground the concepts in this session. We will embark on an interactive hunt for sustainable business, using clues to track down certain environmental practices.
Tidal Energy and Renewable Resources
The emergence of cost-effective renewable energy technologies has created opportunities to address many issues that include climate change and local energy autonomy. This is a significant paradigm shift, a game changer, whereby communities and individuals can become producers as well as consumers of energy. Yet, while these technologies are available few communities seek strategies for developing locally owned and community-based renewable energy solutions. Participants in this workshop will explore the opportunities and constraints associated with community-based renewable energy development including tidal, wind and solar energy.
This participatory workshop explores how youth can become engaged as advocates of community-based renewable energy policy and development in their communities and campuses.
Exploration of an Aboriginal Perspective
TBA
Green Campus Roundtable
Join the Atlantic Universities and Colleges Sustainability Network for a roundtable discussion on current priorities for greening campuses across Atlantic Canada. At the Rio+20 United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development in 2012 the Higher Education Institutions committed to a number of sustainable practices including actions to green campuses. In this session students will have the opportunity to present their perspectives on these priorities and to discuss opportunities for participating in initiatives at Atlantic institutions in the pursuit of sustainable development. The Atlantic Universities and Colleges Sustainability Network is comprised of staff responsible for advancing sustainability at their respective institutions. The goals of the Network, in partnership with Interuniversity Services Inc. are to share information and support collective efforts to improve performance.
Rio+20 Declaration: http://www.uncsd2012.org/index.php?page=view&nr=341&type=12&menu=35
Parliament Connection
Join government representatives from all parties as they explain how students can become involved in government and decision making from their respected positions.
Gardening on campus with Farm Coordinator
Fall is the perfect time to plant garlic in order for harvest the following summer. Planting in the fall will produce large and flavourful bulbs. Lindsay Robinson will facilitate planting garlic at the Acadia Community Farm, and everyone will be given the opportunity to learn planting techniques and tips for a successful harvest.
Elizabeth May Lecture
We are pleased to welcome Green Party leader Elizabeth May as this year’s Conference Keynote Speaker. She will be speaking to our theme Speak Up: Engaging and Empowering Students in Government, and addressing universities’ role with the environment. Click here for her biography.
A reception will follow the lecture at the K.C. Irving Environmental Science Centre Garden Room providing beverages and snacks. The lecture and reception are open to the public.
World Café – Generating AYEC Statement
Apply your skills in a small group during a World Cafe session. After 45 minutes of defending your solutions, help generate the first AYEC statement!
Debates
As a closing event, be prepared to defend your passions against some devious devil advocates. Hopefully your skills that you have developed throughout the weekend will help your argument for your case.
Atlantic Youth Environmental Council 