conferences – Old Sock Drawer

or, “How to be capitalist without being a twit”

Currently listening to: “Pangea” – Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin

Both Rabi and Erica have written splendid entries replete with pictures about their experiences at the conference held by Enterprize Canada, so I shall make this concise. Suffice to say, it was quite brilliant. My usual reading and discussion in social justice issues tend to lean towards change enacted through government policy and legislation, so this brief but jolly jaunt on the other side of the public/private rainbow was fascinating and informative.

Numbered Bullet Points For Your Lack of Attention Span:

1. Ethics, not exploitation!

2. Emotions shouldn’t be glossed over in the decision-making process. (Cognitive Psychology, holla!)

3. Extended metaphors involving flying primates are most excellent.

4. Exciting things discussed: fair trade coffee! (with the legitimate definition, you have no idea how happy-making this was), environmental stewardship, opportunities for empowering women, solutions for homelessness

5. Enthusiastic, knowledgeable and inspiring speakers. Ken Lyotier is basically the coolest guy ever. Case in point: as a result of his own life experiences, he founded United We Can, a sustainable venture combining environmental efforts with poverty reduction. /commence geeking out, I seem to be doing a lot of that lately.

So, all-around absolutely wicked conference, and I’m incredibly glad I attended. Hurrah!

Now, back to the murky world of Montaigne (inventor of the essay, oh you devil)…

Currently listening to: “Baby” – Rufus Wainwright

Eastwood, Genevieve, and Lilienne have already put in their two cents about this year’s SLC, so here’s mine.

Overall, due to the entertaining and eye-opening workshops and feature presentations, I really enjoyed the sessions, which went as follows:

Dr. Jim Frankish, on homelessness and health

I would really have enjoyed it if there were more statistics and information given on his research results and work done about aboriginal health and about actions which could be taken regarding homelessness. Yes, I know it’s a leadership conference, but I do enjoy a good stat or two, and a good social justice rant. But that’s just me. But I digress. His big point that I latched onto? “Use humour.”

Oxfam UBC, on social justice, sweatshops, and fair trade

I could go on about this for days, but I won’t.

Suffice to say, there are so many amazing/better options out there to pick from until the majority of mainstream companies clean up their act – Ten Thousand Villages, American Apparel, or go vintage – public opinion and consumer support really is the only way to convince money-grubbing industries, so widespread consumer demand and outspread public outcry and pressure for fair wages and fair trade is the only way to really target and solve this problem.

The Hon. Hedy Fry, on government and empowerment

I frankly thought she was absolutely brilliant and inspiring. Being an avid follower of politics, I found her story of her journey through the medical and political arena gripping. She truly struck a chord with me with a key quote on leadership which I simply can’t agree with enough- “As a leader, if you don’t have passion for what you’re doing, you can try to pretend – but everyone sees through it. Everyone can tell you’re faking it.”

Antigone, on dreams for women

The Dreams for Women project was started like a PostSecret-type project, whereby people write their dreams for women on postcards and mailed them in- it was all quite lovely indeed.

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Keynote Speaker: Roberta Bonda

It was interesting, but a tad on the long-ish side. I fear that my lack of an attention span whatsoever tends to kick in when made to focus for long-ish periods of time. But I assure you, the parts which I was focusing on were greatly informative. Especially the part about perspective in space. Because I think we all need a bit more of that in our lives here on earth. Sure, you can see life literally so many different ways when you’re in space due to lack of gravity, but all it takes is a little creativity to shake up life here on earth.

Now, that’s my piece-
on to finishing John Stuart Mill’s On Liberty for tomorrow!

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P.S.
Goodbye, Spamalot and Gypsy.