FW: Early Bird Deadline Extended on Our Whole Society Conference

[David Seljak]

John Milloy, the former Ministers of Training Colleges and Universities for Ontario (etc.), is organizing a conference on polarization. See below. Among the headliners is former premier Kathleen Wynne and Carmen Celestini, a lecturer in the Arts First program at the University of Waterloo.

Early Bird rate has been extended to Sunday March 12

From: John Milloy <jmilloy at luther.wlu.ca<mailto:jmilloy at luther.wlu.ca>>
Date: Thursday, February 23, 2023 at 4:25 PM
To: John Milloy <jmilloy at luther.wlu.ca<mailto:jmilloy at luther.wlu.ca>>
Subject: Important Conference Coming to Martin Luther University College

Dear Friends, I have the honour of Chairing the organizing committee for this important conference taking place at Martin Luther University College.  Please share this news with your networks and consider registering - we have a special Early Bird Rate...

Best...

John

                        **********************************************

Our Whole Society: Finding Common Ground in a Time of Polarization

May 7-9, 2023, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Ontario

Registration: bit.ly/3R3d0UR<https://can01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fbit.ly%2F3R3d0UR&data=05%7C01%7Cjmilloy%40luther.wlu.ca%7C871fb73f37814bed475e08db15dc291e%7Cb45a5125b29846bc8b89ea5a7343fde8%7C1%7C0%7C638127807540376439%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=2gDgZSZyt5wxkLvyM%2BaZsvX7qnfcyVSP9ALbpT7F1cE%3D&reserved=0> (in-person or limited access online)

Explore how to address the causes of division within our society and how to foster dialogue, justice and find common ground in Canadian civil society along with academic, community & religious leaders.





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Polarization is a growing challenge in Canada. Over the past several years there have been new and deepening divisions across the country as we increasingly group people into "us" and "them" often fueled by social media and other technologies. We see it in political debates and discussions around public policy when racism and religious intolerance present some of their ugliest manifestations.

How can Canadians respond constructively in the face of disagreement? How do Canadians maintain an open and pluralistic society where different voices are welcome to contribute to a vibrant public sphere? How will voices of spirituality, faith and religion be a source of insight to address these challenges?

Discuss the issues confronting civil society with former Premier of Ontario Kathleen Wynne; Prof. Miroslav Volf, Yale Divinity School, Director of the Yale Center for Faith and Culture; Prof. John Milloy, Martin Luther University College, Director of the Centre for Public Ethics; Dr. Carmen Celestini, University of Waterloo and Fellow with the Centre on Hate; Prof. Ahmed Al-Rawi Simon Fraser University, Director of the Disinformation Project; Dr. Jack Jebwad, President, Canadian Association for Canadian Studies and Dr. Jaspreet Bal Centennial College, Chair of Child and Family Studies amongst others.



The Conference will also be informed by the work of Canada-wide organizations with Nuzhat Jafri, Exec. Dir. of the Canadian Council of Muslim Women; Mohammed Hashim, Exec. Dir. of the Canadian Race Relations Foundation; Bob Watts, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada; Stephen Brown Exec. Dir. of the National Council of Canadian Muslims; Rabbi Yael Splansky, Holy Blossom Temple, Toronto; Charlene Bearhead, former National Coordinator for the National Day for Healing and Reconciliation and Bruce Clemenger, President Emeritus of the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada.



On the evening of May 8, Martin Luther University College's Inshallah Interfaith Choir under the direction of Dr. Debbie Lou Ludolph will lead conference participants in an arts-based workshop, designed as a space to hold in tension radically dissenting views.

The early bird rate is $99.00 by February 28 which includes 2 days of key note addresses, seminars, workshops and lunches. Starting March 1 the cost of registration is $125.00 For more information and registration please go to: bit.ly/3R3d0UR<https://can01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fbit.ly%2F3R3d0UR&data=05%7C01%7Cjmilloy%40luther.wlu.ca%7C871fb73f37814bed475e08db15dc291e%7Cb45a5125b29846bc8b89ea5a7343fde8%7C1%7C0%7C638127807540376439%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=2gDgZSZyt5wxkLvyM%2BaZsvX7qnfcyVSP9ALbpT7F1cE%3D&reserved=0>
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