Attractions & Events

Women's Symposium: Session Details

Saturday, October 3, 2015
Coast Edmonton Plaza Hotel

Keynote Speaker: Mayor Don Iveson

9:20-10am

Why is it important for women to be engaged in civic life? How should women access “the system”? Mayor Don Iveson’s session will focus on these questions and speak to the importance of women’s voices within their communities, in City Hall, and more widely in Edmonton. Using successful examples of how women and, more specifically, WAVE has made a difference in the City of Edmonton’s policies, he encourages women to speak up and hopes to provide them with effective strategies to ensure that their voices are heard.

With the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives’ recent release of the list of the “Best and Worst Cities to be a Woman in Canada” contrasted with Alberta’s recent strides in electing more female representatives to the provincial legislature than ever before, this session addresses the critical topic of women’s potential to influence and access the system.

Influencing Policy: Discussions

10:30am-noon

Come learn about and provide your input on four key policy issues affecting women in Edmonton! Community leaders will share recent updates and obtain feedback on child care, poverty elimination, transit safety and gender-based violence prevention.

1A – Child Care

Gloria Chalmers, Co-Chair, Steering Committee, Community-University Partnership
Moderator: Mia Norrie, WAVE Committee Member

Access to quality, appropriate, and affordable child care is critical to health and well-being of all families. A conversation on Child Care in Edmonton was recently hosted by Councilllor Esslinger and the Women’s Initiative to learn about successes, what is working well in Edmonton, current and emerging needs, and ideas to address pressing barriers and issues. Come share your ideas on this important topic.

1B – Poverty Elimination

Ward Antoniuk, Project Coordinator, Mayor’s Task Force for the Elimination of Poverty, City of Edmonton
Lucenia Ortiz, Project Manager, Mayor’s Task Force for the Elimination of Poverty, City of Edmonton
Moderator: Dawn Newton, WAVE Committee Member

In 2014, Mayor Iveson convened End Poverty Edmonton Task Force, comprised of 22 community leaders, to understand issues and develop solutions to end poverty in Edmonton within a generation. This is an invitation to learn about the task force recommendations and provide your input to help finalize the End Poverty Edmonton Strategy.

1C – Transit Safety

Cameron Grayson, City of Edmonton
Cristina Stasia, Faculty Lecturer, Department of Women’s and Gender Studies, University of Alberta
Moderator: Hendriatta Wong, WAVE Committee Member

Edmonton Transit’s goal is that everyone feels safe every time they board a bus or train. To support that goal, WAVE has been working closely with Edmonton Transit to help develop and launch a new innovative leading-edge zero-tolerance for sexual harassment campaign. It includes a public awareness campaign, transit training, new signage, enhanced reporting procedures, and community consultation. Come provide your input on this issue, as well as current and future plans.

1D – Gender-Based Violence

Zanette Frost, City of Edmonton
Moderator: Meheret Worku, WAVE Committee Member

In 2015, a new City Council Initiative was established on Gender Based Violence Prevention to champion changing the conversation about gender-based violence and its prevention. This provides the opportunity to promote preventative activities relating to gender-based violence, and raise levels of awareness. The City of Edmonton can take action to prevent domestic violence and sexual assault from occurring, shifting the needle from Edmonton being rated as one of the “Worst Places in Canada to Be a Woman” to the best place for women, men and children. The City of Edmonton can contribute to creating communities where women, men and children are safe in their homes, their workplaces, on the street and in their neighbourhoods. Come join in the conversation to help shape this new initiative.

Social Media for Dessert: Trends and Tips

Marliss Weber, Principal, Parodos Communications

1:15-3pm

Moving Forward: Afternoon Breakouts

1:15-3pm

2A – Politics 101: The Insiders

Chris Henderson, Consultant, Calder Bateman Communications
Karen Sevcik, Alberta Liberal Party
Moderator: Jackie Foord, WAVE Committee Member

Ever wonder if a role in a political campaign is the right fit for you? While the candidate is the face of the campaign, many people with passion, ideas and strategies are working hard behind the scenes to win the election.

Hosted by Jackie Foord, WAVE chair and self-proclaimed political junkie, this session will be a conversation with Karen Sevcik and Chris Henderson. Karen has had leadership roles in seven federal, five provincial and three municipal election campaigns. Chris is a communications and strategy consultant and was the architect behind each of Mayor Iveson’s election victories. Chris and Karen will give you the insider’s view of what really happens in a campaign.

2B – Gender Lens

Amber Dion, Assistant Professor, MacEwan University
Cristina Stasia, Faculty Coordinating Instructor, Peter Lougheed Leadership College, University of Alberta
Philomina Okeke-Ihejirika, Professor, Department of Women’s and Gender Studies, University of Alberta
Moderator: Jennifer Jennax, WAVE Committee Member

This session examines the concept of the Gender Lens – how it is defined and how to apply it. The speakers explore the history and importance of viewing issues through a Gender Lens, with a particular emphasis on how it affects the realities of women from minority-groups.

Jennifer Jennax, WAVE Member, Director with the City of Edmonton Strategic Services and member of the Terra Centre’s Board of Directors, hosts three academic experts on gender studies and equality. Prof. Amber Dion, a nehiyaw iskwew (cree woman) from Kehewin Cree Nation in Treaty 6 Territory and Assistant Professor at MacEwan University, Dr. Cristina Stasia, an award-winning lecturer in the Women’s and Gender Studies department at the University of Alberta, and Prof. Philomina Okeke-Ihejirika, professor in the Women's and Gender Studies Department of the University of Alberta, will tackle this conversation with an intersectional approach that will engage women of all backgrounds.

2C – Leadership & Community: Panel Discussion

Rachelle Venne, CEO, Institute for the Advancement of Aboriginal Women
Mary Jane McLaughlin, Co-Chair, Edmonton Seniors Coordinating Council
Sonia Bitar, Executive Director, Changing Together
Navneet Khinda, President, University of Alberta Students’ Union
Moderator: Meghana Valupadas, WAVE Committee Member

For women who seek inspiration on their journey to becoming confident and tenacious leaders, this session will showcase four diverse speakers who will share their own experiences and stories. On the panel are Rachelle Venne, Chief Executive Officer of the Institute for the Advancement of Aboriginal Women, Mary Jane McLaughlin, Co-Chair of the Edmonton Seniors Coordinating Council, Sonia Bitar, Executive Director for the non-for-profit assistance organization for immigrant women, Changing Together, and Navneet Khinda, President of the University of Alberta Students’ Union.

Meghana Vaupadas, WAVE Member, member of the City of Edmonton Youth Council, and co-founder of the FEMpower initiative to empower young women and girls, will facilitate the discussion. Discussion topics will cover leadership in each panel member’s community, the steps in their journey, their successes and failures, and the important role of NFPs in gaining invaluable leadership experience.

2D – Leadership & Career Advancement

Judy-Lynn Archer, President & CEO, Women Building Futures
Jerri Cairns, Chair of the Board, Edmonton Chamber of Commerce
Darcie Roach, Search Manager, Conroy Ross
Moderator: Angelica Hernandez, WAVE Committee Member

Determining and getting ahead in one’s career path with confidence is the focus of this session, moderated by Angelica Hernandez – marketing professional and WAVE Committee Member. Speakers Jerri Cairns, Darcie Roach, and Judy-Lynn Archer will present their own experiences in forwarding their careers, and will discuss ways to promote yourself, negotiate your wages, and recognize your own valuable skills.

Jerri is the Chair of the Board at the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce as well as managing partner at Parlee McLaws LLP. Darcie is a Search Manager at the professional recruitment firm, Conroy Ross Partners and an active member at the YWCA. Judy-Lynn, as President and CEO of Women Building Futures, will discuss the potential for advancement within the skilled trades industry. Each perspective will offer insight into the many options professional women have to accelerate their careers and reach their goals.

Closing Session: Leadership

Sandra Woitas, Director, Edmonton Public Schools
Moderator: Jackie Foord, WAVE Committee Member

In Sandra’s words, “Leadership is not about charisma or genius and absolutely not about position or status. Leadership is more about ordinary people dealing with ordinary situations in the right way and for the right reasons. It's about our contributions and service to our communities. It's about making the best of ourselves.”

For More Information

Marian Bruin

700, CN Tower
10004 - 104 Avenue NW
Edmonton, AB T5J 0K1

Telephone	780-495-0272
Fax	780-577-3525
Email	marian.bruin@edmonton.ca