CALGARY, ALBERTA – May 30, 2016 – A 2016 Congress of the Humanities and Social Sciences public event features a panel of experts that examines under what conditions resource exploitation can be a source of economic and social sustainability for northern communities drawing on experiences from Canada’s north.
WHAT: Resource Development and Northern Communities: New Relationships and New Possibilities
WHEN: Tuesday, May 31, 2016 from 13:30 to 15:30
WHERE: Science Theatre 148, University of Calgary campus
Past experience has shown that many of the social and economic challenges of northern communities have been linked to the negative impacts of extractive industries. While problems continue to exist between extractive industries and Indigenous communities in other areas of the world, in northern Canada there is some indication that the worst aspects of resource dependence can be countered through the emergence of new relationships between communities, national governments, and industry such as new land claim agreements, impact-benefit agreements, co-management boards and other tools.
The Resources and Sustainable Development in the Arctic (ReSDA) project brings together researchers and community representatives to conduct and mobilize research aimed at the sustainable development of natural resources in a manner that will improve the well-being of northern communities while preserving the region’s unique environment.
Join a panel of experts who will look at the recent changes in the relationship between northern Canadian communities and extractive industry development to see what lessons, if any, Canada may have for other regions. With opening remarks from Guy Laforest, President-Elect of the Federation for the Humanities and Social Sciences and Ted Hewitt, President, Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada, the panel features the following speakers:
- Natan Obed, President, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami
- Frances Abele, Professor, Carleton University
- Chris Southcott, Professor, Lakehead University - PI, ReSDA
- Gavin Hilson, Professor, University of Surrey
This event is open to the public, free of charge. Media welcome.
–30–
About the Congress of the Humanities and Social Sciences
Organized by the Federation for the Humanities and Social Sciences, Congress is the largest interdisciplinary conference in Canada, and one of the largest in the world. Now in its 85th year, Congress brings together approximately 70 academic associations that represent a rich spectrum of disciplines in the humanities and social sciences, including literature, history, theatre, film studies, education, music, sociology, geography, social work and many others. Congress 2016 is hosted by the University of Calgary. For more information, visit congress2016.ca.
About the Federation for the Humanities and Social Sciences
The Federation for the Humanities and Social Sciences promotes research and teaching for the advancement of an inclusive, democratic and prosperous society. With a membership now comprising over 160 universities, colleges and scholarly associations, the Federation represents a diverse community of 91,000 researchers and graduate students across Canada. The Federation organizes Canada’s largest academic gathering, the Congress of the Humanities and Social Sciences, bringing together more than 8,000 participants each year. For more information about the Federation, visit ideas-idees.ca.
Media inquiries:
Nicola Katz
Communications Manager
Federation for the Humanities and Social Sciences
Cell: 613-282-3489
nkatz@ideas-idees.ca