How Education Benefits the World Student Speaker Challenge
How Education Benefits the World Student Speaker Challenge
Building on the premise that in a democracy, an informed public makes the best decisions, SACPAS (Southern Alberta Council on Public Affairs Society), LPIRG (Lethbridge Public Interest Research Group), and the ULSU (U of L Students’ Union) are collaborating to provide students with a forum to express their point of view on issues of significance. Recognizing that each individual has a unique perspective and an authentic voice, students will be given a chance to communicate their thesis to an audience and defend it, thereby gaining and honing skills in developing and exchanging new ideas.
This opportunity will take the form of a competition in which students will address the topic “What is the value of post secondary education to the world?” Your answer could include one or more of the following points: building stronger local and global communities, long term benefits for the public, contributing to the global quality of life, or dealing with major social and environmental issues. The speaker challenge will begin with 4 noon-hour sessions, each with 2 speakers addressing the topic and fielding questions on their thesis. A winner will be chosen at each of these sessions and will be promoted to the semi-finals. Two students will then go on to the final session where a sole winner will be selected to receive the final prize. Winners at each session will be determined by a panel of judges and an audience vote.
Undergraduate and graduate students are welcome to apply and presenters will be paired according to skill level (as assessed from application form), year of study, and thesis. There will be a total of 8 participants with 4 of those advancing to further rounds and one final winner. Prizes will be given out to the top 4 participants - $100 for 2 students sharing third place, $300 for second place, and $500 for the winner. Out of the 8 contestants we will accept a maximum of 4 graduate students.
The format will be such that in the first round, two presenters will face off, each having 15 minutes to present their thesis. After a five minute break, the presenter will then be asked questions from the audience and the judges for 15 minutes. The total length of the session will be one hour and ten minutes.
How Education Benefits the World Student Speaker Challenge sessions are scheduled as follows.
Session 1 – Wednesday, January 13, 12:15 – 1:30 – Ballroom A, SUB
Session 2 – Tuesday, January 19, 12:15 – 1:30 – Ballroom A, SUB
Session 3 – Wednesday, January 27, 12:15 – 1:30 - Galileo’s Gallery
Session 4 - Tuesday, February 2, 12:15 – 1:30 - Galileo’s Gallery
Semi-Final Sessions – Tuesday, February 23, 4:30 – 6:00 – Galileo’s Gallery
Tuesday, March 2, 4:30 – 6:00 – Galileo’s Gallery
Final Session – Tuesday, March 9, 7:00 – 9:00 – AH100
Application forms are available at www.ulsu.ca or from the LPIRG office (SU242) in the Students’ Union Building. Applications must be submitted electronically to pirg@uleth.ca with ‘How Education Benefits the World’ in the subject line. The deadline for applications is Friday, December 4th.
For more information, please contact Sheila at pirg@uleth.ca, or 332-5243.
HOW EDUCATION BENEFITS THE WORLD STUDENT SPEAKER CHALLENGE
APPLICATION FORM
Name:
Email:
Year of Study:
Faculty/ Major:
Public Speaking Experience (class presentations, etc.):
Why are you interested in applying for this?
How would you address the topic – “What is the value of post secondary education to the world?
Please provide a short autobiography:
*Please note that personal interviews may be necessary in order to select and pair up speakers.
Building on the premise that in a democracy, an informed public makes the best decisions, SACPAS (Southern Alberta Council on Public Affairs Society), LPIRG (Lethbridge Public Interest Research Group), and the ULSU (U of L Students’ Union) are collaborating to provide students with a forum to express their point of view on issues of significance. Recognizing that each individual has a unique perspective and an authentic voice, students will be given a chance to communicate their thesis to an audience and defend it, thereby gaining and honing skills in developing and exchanging new ideas.
This opportunity will take the form of a competition in which students will address the topic “What is the value of post secondary education to the world?” Your answer could include one or more of the following points: building stronger local and global communities, long term benefits for the public, contributing to the global quality of life, or dealing with major social and environmental issues. The speaker challenge will begin with 4 noon-hour sessions, each with 2 speakers addressing the topic and fielding questions on their thesis. A winner will be chosen at each of these sessions and will be promoted to the semi-finals. Two students will then go on to the final session where a sole winner will be selected to receive the final prize. Winners at each session will be determined by a panel of judges and an audience vote.
Undergraduate and graduate students are welcome to apply and presenters will be paired according to skill level (as assessed from application form), year of study, and thesis. There will be a total of 8 participants with 4 of those advancing to further rounds and one final winner. Prizes will be given out to the top 4 participants - $100 for 2 students sharing third place, $300 for second place, and $500 for the winner. Out of the 8 contestants we will accept a maximum of 4 graduate students.
The format will be such that in the first round, two presenters will face off, each having 15 minutes to present their thesis. After a five minute break, the presenter will then be asked questions from the audience and the judges for 15 minutes. The total length of the session will be one hour and ten minutes.
How Education Benefits the World Student Speaker Challenge sessions are scheduled as follows.
Session 1 – Wednesday, January 13, 12:15 – 1:30 – Ballroom A, SUB
Session 2 – Tuesday, January 19, 12:15 – 1:30 – Ballroom A, SUB
Session 3 – Wednesday, January 27, 12:15 – 1:30 - Galileo’s Gallery
Session 4 - Tuesday, February 2, 12:15 – 1:30 - Galileo’s Gallery
Semi-Final Sessions – Tuesday, February 23, 4:30 – 6:00 – Galileo’s Gallery
Tuesday, March 2, 4:30 – 6:00 – Galileo’s Gallery
Final Session – Tuesday, March 9, 7:00 – 9:00 – AH100
Application forms are available at www.ulsu.ca or from the LPIRG office (SU242) in the Students’ Union Building. Applications must be submitted electronically to pirg@uleth.ca with ‘How Education Benefits the World’ in the subject line. The deadline for applications is Friday, December 4th.
For more information, please contact Sheila at pirg@uleth.ca, or 332-5243.
HOW EDUCATION BENEFITS THE WORLD STUDENT SPEAKER CHALLENGE
APPLICATION FORM
Name:
Email:
Year of Study:
Faculty/ Major:
Public Speaking Experience (class presentations, etc.):
Why are you interested in applying for this?
How would you address the topic – “What is the value of post secondary education to the world?
Please provide a short autobiography:
*Please note that personal interviews may be necessary in order to select and pair up speakers.
“You, Me and the SPP” Documentary Screens in Lethbridge as part of National Tour
What do secrecy, police provocateurs, an assault on democracy and infringements on citizens’ rights have in common? The Security and Prosperity Partnership.
Filmmaker Paul Manly will be attending a Lethbridge screening of his documentary about the Security and Prosperity Partnership, ‘You, Me and the SPP: Trading Democracy for Corporate Rule’ as part of a 34 city national tour. The screening takes place Wednesday October 28th, 7pm at the Lethbridge Public Library Theatre Gallery, 810 5th Avenue South. Admission by Donation. The screening, sponsored by the Lethbridge and District Chapter of the Council of Canadians, and the Lethbridge Public Interest Research Group, will be followed by a Q & A with the filmmaker, Paul Manly. The full tour schedule is available online at www.youmespp.com
The Canadian government says “The Security and Prosperity Partnership is neither an agreement nor a treaty but a dialogue.” Following the shock of 9/11, right‐wing political and business leaders have pushed the SPP agenda. Negotiating away from public scrutiny, they say it is the way to keep trade flowing between the United States, Canada and Mexico. You, Me and the SPP exposes the corporate agenda of the SPP and reveals that this secretive agreement is about much more than trade.
Opponents of this secretive ‘dialogue’ claim that it is undemocratic and a direct threat to the sovereignty of the three countries involved, Canada, the United States and Mexico; it bypasses their parliamentary systems and places control of regulatory integration in the hands of large corporations. In addition to harmonizing health, safety, environmental, and labour standards, the SPP also includes deep integration of military and security structures between the three countries.
No proponents of the SPP were willing to take part in on‐camera interviews for You, Me and the SPP, which features interviews with Naomi Klein, Maude Barlow, Murray Dobbin and Joel Bakan, among a host of other opponents of the SPP including economists, lawyers, union leaders, and politicians. Manly also interviewed ordinary citizens who have been affected by the SPP agenda including a retired elementary school teacher who is on the no‐fly‐list; a citizen who refused to participate in the Canadian census because Lockheed Martin, the world largest arms manufacturer, is part of the census process; a mill worker who has been laid‐off because deregulation has allowed forest companies to close mills and export raw logs; and a mother of twins who is concerned about protecting her young children from contaminated products.
"Manly has created an extremely thorough introduction to a set of issues that will increasingly affect every Canadian. As the film progressed, I was shocked at my own ignorance about the SPP and TILMA and their implications and I am indebted to this film for the research and revelations it presents."
Mark Achbar – Manufacturing Consent, The Corporation
“What the SPP really represents is a parallel government, so that the important decisions are made outside of parliament and outside of legislatures ... democracy is slowly being gutted.”
Murray Dobbin, Canadian author, journalist
“The ultimate goal, quite obviously, is to create such tight integration that effectively we only have one North American political, security, military, and economic place ‐ that there really are no differentials between this country and the country next door.”
Michael Byers, Canada Research Chair, Global Politics and International Law, UBC
In August of 2009, the US government declared that the SPP is no longer an active initiative but almost all of the various parts of this corporate agenda have either been implemented or are moving forward under separate programs and it is widely anticipated that a more extensive rebranded SPP 2.0 will be unveiled soon. The SPP stands out as a prime example of the willingness of the corporate elite and their political cronies to sacrifice democratic principles and civil liberties in favour of corporate control and monopolization.
The national tour is sponsored by; the Communication, Energy and Paperworkers Union, the Canadian Union of Public Employees, the Public Service Alliance of Canada, the Council of Canadians and the Canadian Center for Policy Alternatives. The tour was launched with a screening on Parliament Hill on October 1, 2009. Information about the film, including a list of screening dates, the trailer, and additional videos can be viewed on the film’s website www.youmespp.com
Filmmaker Paul Manly will be attending a Lethbridge screening of his documentary about the Security and Prosperity Partnership, ‘You, Me and the SPP: Trading Democracy for Corporate Rule’ as part of a 34 city national tour. The screening takes place Wednesday October 28th, 7pm at the Lethbridge Public Library Theatre Gallery, 810 5th Avenue South. Admission by Donation. The screening, sponsored by the Lethbridge and District Chapter of the Council of Canadians, and the Lethbridge Public Interest Research Group, will be followed by a Q & A with the filmmaker, Paul Manly. The full tour schedule is available online at www.youmespp.com
The Canadian government says “The Security and Prosperity Partnership is neither an agreement nor a treaty but a dialogue.” Following the shock of 9/11, right‐wing political and business leaders have pushed the SPP agenda. Negotiating away from public scrutiny, they say it is the way to keep trade flowing between the United States, Canada and Mexico. You, Me and the SPP exposes the corporate agenda of the SPP and reveals that this secretive agreement is about much more than trade.
Opponents of this secretive ‘dialogue’ claim that it is undemocratic and a direct threat to the sovereignty of the three countries involved, Canada, the United States and Mexico; it bypasses their parliamentary systems and places control of regulatory integration in the hands of large corporations. In addition to harmonizing health, safety, environmental, and labour standards, the SPP also includes deep integration of military and security structures between the three countries.
No proponents of the SPP were willing to take part in on‐camera interviews for You, Me and the SPP, which features interviews with Naomi Klein, Maude Barlow, Murray Dobbin and Joel Bakan, among a host of other opponents of the SPP including economists, lawyers, union leaders, and politicians. Manly also interviewed ordinary citizens who have been affected by the SPP agenda including a retired elementary school teacher who is on the no‐fly‐list; a citizen who refused to participate in the Canadian census because Lockheed Martin, the world largest arms manufacturer, is part of the census process; a mill worker who has been laid‐off because deregulation has allowed forest companies to close mills and export raw logs; and a mother of twins who is concerned about protecting her young children from contaminated products.
"Manly has created an extremely thorough introduction to a set of issues that will increasingly affect every Canadian. As the film progressed, I was shocked at my own ignorance about the SPP and TILMA and their implications and I am indebted to this film for the research and revelations it presents."
Mark Achbar – Manufacturing Consent, The Corporation
“What the SPP really represents is a parallel government, so that the important decisions are made outside of parliament and outside of legislatures ... democracy is slowly being gutted.”
Murray Dobbin, Canadian author, journalist
“The ultimate goal, quite obviously, is to create such tight integration that effectively we only have one North American political, security, military, and economic place ‐ that there really are no differentials between this country and the country next door.”
Michael Byers, Canada Research Chair, Global Politics and International Law, UBC
In August of 2009, the US government declared that the SPP is no longer an active initiative but almost all of the various parts of this corporate agenda have either been implemented or are moving forward under separate programs and it is widely anticipated that a more extensive rebranded SPP 2.0 will be unveiled soon. The SPP stands out as a prime example of the willingness of the corporate elite and their political cronies to sacrifice democratic principles and civil liberties in favour of corporate control and monopolization.
The national tour is sponsored by; the Communication, Energy and Paperworkers Union, the Canadian Union of Public Employees, the Public Service Alliance of Canada, the Council of Canadians and the Canadian Center for Policy Alternatives. The tour was launched with a screening on Parliament Hill on October 1, 2009. Information about the film, including a list of screening dates, the trailer, and additional videos can be viewed on the film’s website www.youmespp.com
Students Holding Funeral for Climate, Calling on Leaders to Commit to Global Climate Treaty at Copenhagen.
A group of University students will stage a funerary procession through campus with a casket that will represent the Climate and what will happen if our leaders do not commit to a binding global treaty on Climate Change.
At 12:00pm on Friday, Oct. 23rd, students at the University of Lethbridge will be holding a public rally to call on the government of Canada to commit to a binding global Climate treaty at Copenhagen this December. A mock funerary procession will commence from the University Atrium up to the front of the Student’s Union Building, where a eulogy for the climate and call to action will be delivered to our political leaders.
Students will be calling on Members of Parliament to stop the delay in passing Bill C-311, the “Climate Change Accountability Act,” which, if passed before Copenhagen, would situate Canada as a nation committed to a binding, global treaty on climate change. A recent agreement signed between India and China indicates that Canada is behind the times and needs to step up its action to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions.
This event is part of an international day of climate action being organized by environmental and public interest groups all over the world in anticipation of the Copenhagen Climate talks.
Copenhagen presents our leaders with an historic opportunity to meet the most urgent challenge of our time: climate change. It could be humanity’s last chance to reduce greenhouse gas emissions below 350ppm (particles per million), which scientists say is the safe upper limit for carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere. Current atmospheric carbon dioxide levels are around 390ppm.
This event is being organized by the Lethbridge Public Interest Research Group (LPIRG). For more information on the international day of climate action, visit www.350.org.
At 12:00pm on Friday, Oct. 23rd, students at the University of Lethbridge will be holding a public rally to call on the government of Canada to commit to a binding global Climate treaty at Copenhagen this December. A mock funerary procession will commence from the University Atrium up to the front of the Student’s Union Building, where a eulogy for the climate and call to action will be delivered to our political leaders.
Students will be calling on Members of Parliament to stop the delay in passing Bill C-311, the “Climate Change Accountability Act,” which, if passed before Copenhagen, would situate Canada as a nation committed to a binding, global treaty on climate change. A recent agreement signed between India and China indicates that Canada is behind the times and needs to step up its action to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions.
This event is part of an international day of climate action being organized by environmental and public interest groups all over the world in anticipation of the Copenhagen Climate talks.
Copenhagen presents our leaders with an historic opportunity to meet the most urgent challenge of our time: climate change. It could be humanity’s last chance to reduce greenhouse gas emissions below 350ppm (particles per million), which scientists say is the safe upper limit for carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere. Current atmospheric carbon dioxide levels are around 390ppm.
This event is being organized by the Lethbridge Public Interest Research Group (LPIRG). For more information on the international day of climate action, visit www.350.org.
International Repercussions of the Eco-crises: East Africa
| |||
| Delete & Prev | Delete & Next |
LPIRG Opt Out - Deadline Oct 9
The Lethbridge Public Interest Research Group (LPIRG) is a student-run, student-funded, not-for-profit organization dedicated to research, education , and action in the public interest. LPIRG exists to provide students with resources to be active citizens.
Each year, LPIRG provides approximately $20,000 in direct grants to studentts as well as in-kind services, support, and training to student working groups, projects, events, and research. We also maintain an office and resource library which is open to all LPIRG members.
Undergraduates not wishing to pay the $5.00 LPIRG fee for the Fall 2009 semester may have that fee refunded. To opt-out, copy and paste the following form into the body of your email and send to pirg@uleth.ca by the opt-out deadline - October 9th. Your opt-out form must be sent via your personal uleth.ca web-mail account to be considered valid. Please note that in opting out you forfeit your eligibility for LPIRG funds.
Co-op students whose fees are not due until later in the semester must contact LPIRG by October 9th in order to make arrangements to have their LPIRG fee refunded.
________________________________________________________________
LPIRG Opt-Out Form
Deadline - October 9, 2009
I, ___________________________ (first and last name as you wish it to appear on your cheque) hereby opt out of the LPIRG membership fee for the Fall 2009 Semester. In doing so, I understand that I am no longer eligible for LPIRG funding. My reason for opting out is ______________________________. (Please provide a brief explanation for your refund request. You response will help LPIRG to beetter meet the interest of the student body.)
Student ID# _________________________
Mailing Address (where you want your cheque sent)
______________________________
______________________________
______________________________
_________________________________________________________________
For more information, please contact LPIRG at pirg@uleth.ca, 403-332-5243 or stop by our office in the Students' Union Building - SU 242.
Each year, LPIRG provides approximately $20,000 in direct grants to studentts as well as in-kind services, support, and training to student working groups, projects, events, and research. We also maintain an office and resource library which is open to all LPIRG members.
Undergraduates not wishing to pay the $5.00 LPIRG fee for the Fall 2009 semester may have that fee refunded. To opt-out, copy and paste the following form into the body of your email and send to pirg@uleth.ca by the opt-out deadline - October 9th. Your opt-out form must be sent via your personal uleth.ca web-mail account to be considered valid. Please note that in opting out you forfeit your eligibility for LPIRG funds.
Co-op students whose fees are not due until later in the semester must contact LPIRG by October 9th in order to make arrangements to have their LPIRG fee refunded.
________________________________________________________________
LPIRG Opt-Out Form
Deadline - October 9, 2009
I, ___________________________ (first and last name as you wish it to appear on your cheque) hereby opt out of the LPIRG membership fee for the Fall 2009 Semester. In doing so, I understand that I am no longer eligible for LPIRG funding. My reason for opting out is ______________________________. (Please provide a brief explanation for your refund request. You response will help LPIRG to beetter meet the interest of the student body.)
Student ID# _________________________
Mailing Address (where you want your cheque sent)
______________________________
______________________________
______________________________
_________________________________________________________________
For more information, please contact LPIRG at pirg@uleth.ca, 403-332-5243 or stop by our office in the Students' Union Building - SU 242.
Opt Out
Welcome back to the Fall Semester of 2009. Watch for our OPT OUT information, coming soon. The LPIRG Opt Out deadline is October 9th this semester.
Digging the Campus Roots Community Garden
Update from the Campus Roots Community Garden: April 22, 2009.
For info or to volunteer, contact jamie.novlesky@uleth.ca
"Get ready to get dirty!"
The weather is looking OK for the weekend, so we're gonna GO FOR IT!
Just a reminder, if you have any "PPE" such as steel-toe boots or shoes, work gloves, safety glasses, please bring them with you. Everyone should at least be wearing shoes, no sandals please. It makes the safety guys who run the University a little bit happier about the project.
Another reminder, if anyone is qualified to use power tools (rototiller, drills) please wear long pants, and steel-toed boots or shoes. If you have safety glasses, bring those too but we should have a few if you don't have any.
Also, if you have tools to spare like rake, shovel, wheelbarrow, cordless drill, please bring! It's better to have too many than not enough, so that's an easy way to help out.
If you are able, come by
Saturday 9am-7pm, and Sunday 9am-6pm.
See you there!!
-----------------------------------
Original message:
We're counting down to the big day of garden building! Get ready to get dirty!
In case you haven't heard, a group of people have been working hard for the past few months trying to get a cooperative garden on campus, and it has finally become a reality. The garden will provide food for those who are involved, and it will also promote community and healthy lifestyles as people can come to the garden either to relax or to work on the garden. You'll meet those faces that you've seen in the hall but never knew their name. It's positive all around.
If you want to help out, or if you have anything to offer, let's hear about it! It could be anything from a truck to use for hauling materials to the site, shovels or rakes or other garden tools to help out with mixing the dirt and spreading mulch. Or maybe you just feel the urge to get messy sometimes and muck around.
As it's said, "many hands make light work" so let's make this as light as possible :)
There will be lots of people working towards a common goal, sharing, laughing, and working in the sun. Don't miss out!!!
For info or to volunteer, contact jamie.novlesky@uleth.ca
"Get ready to get dirty!"
The weather is looking OK for the weekend, so we're gonna GO FOR IT!
Just a reminder, if you have any "PPE" such as steel-toe boots or shoes, work gloves, safety glasses, please bring them with you. Everyone should at least be wearing shoes, no sandals please. It makes the safety guys who run the University a little bit happier about the project.
Another reminder, if anyone is qualified to use power tools (rototiller, drills) please wear long pants, and steel-toed boots or shoes. If you have safety glasses, bring those too but we should have a few if you don't have any.
Also, if you have tools to spare like rake, shovel, wheelbarrow, cordless drill, please bring! It's better to have too many than not enough, so that's an easy way to help out.
If you are able, come by
Saturday 9am-7pm, and Sunday 9am-6pm.
See you there!!
-----------------------------------
Original message:
We're counting down to the big day of garden building! Get ready to get dirty!
In case you haven't heard, a group of people have been working hard for the past few months trying to get a cooperative garden on campus, and it has finally become a reality. The garden will provide food for those who are involved, and it will also promote community and healthy lifestyles as people can come to the garden either to relax or to work on the garden. You'll meet those faces that you've seen in the hall but never knew their name. It's positive all around.
If you want to help out, or if you have anything to offer, let's hear about it! It could be anything from a truck to use for hauling materials to the site, shovels or rakes or other garden tools to help out with mixing the dirt and spreading mulch. Or maybe you just feel the urge to get messy sometimes and muck around.
As it's said, "many hands make light work" so let's make this as light as possible :)
There will be lots of people working towards a common goal, sharing, laughing, and working in the sun. Don't miss out!!!
Cuts to Health Care Don't Heal!
Instead of cuts, Liepert should increase health-care spending
Delisting services boosts costs for businesses, consumers; threatens economy
By David Eggen and Diana Gibson, The Edmonton Journal
April 19, 2009
Alberta Health Minister Ron Liepert has been very economical with the
truth on the health-care budget. He picked one of the few lines in the
budget that is up, while the overall budget for Health and Wellness has
actually been cut.
Infrastructure spending has been cut by almost $1 billion from what had
been budgeted in the capital plan and is down more than $600,000 from
last year. The total Health and Wellness budget did not get the
3.7-per-cent increase needed to account for inflation and population
growth. And now, delisting insured services has been raised.
While nations around the world are increasing spending to counter the
recession, Alberta is cutting. As part of its stimulus plan, China
announced it would spend $123 billion by 2011 to establish universal
health care for the country's 1.3 billion people, on the premise that
spending would put more money directly in Chinese consumers' pockets.
Even the United States, so infamous for its poor health care, has anted
up for increased health spending this year.
Instead of stimulus spending, the Alberta conservative government is
kicking the economy into what could be a serious tailspin. And if the
budget announcements were not bad enough, Liepert says he plans to delist
more services and may cut additional health-care infrastructure spending,
including much needed hospitals and long-term care beds.
Last month, Alberta lost more than 14,000 jobs, a trend that is likely to
continue. The $913-million cut from the capital budget will put 10,500
construction workers out of work. What better place for them than
building health-care facilities that will be much needed as our
population ages? Alberta is still recovering from shortages created by
the last downturn. The lack of long-term care beds continues to cause
backlogs and delays in hospital emergencies which have real
costs.
The infrastructure cuts have other costs as well. Currently,
infrastructure can be built at bargain prices. Delaying construction may
mean that the costs are much higher. Knowing the need is there and having
the workers in need of jobs, it is financially prudent to build that
infrastructure now and staff it now.
Other jurisdictions are also trying to bolster the economy by putting as
much money as possible into the hands of consumers and
businesses.
Liepert is doing the opposite, increasing business costs and taking money
out of the pockets of consumers. Delisting and de-insuring services
amounts to a direct transfer of costs from the province to businesses and
individuals.
Any service that is delisted or de-insured will be added to the long
growing roster of privately insured services paid for by employers,
causing rates to go up. Private insurance costs are already rising at
rates in excess of inflation.
It would also take money from consumers. Only about half of Albertans are
covered by workplace health benefits. For those who are not covered,
costs will also shoot up. The cap will be taken off of what professionals
can charge and they will raise fees to cover the loss of
patients.
Vision care is one of the services that has already been de-insured. This
resulted in a 17-per-cent jump in vision care costs in one year
alone.
Transferring costs out of the public health-care budget into private
insurance is not a path to sustainability. Australia provides a good
lesson on that front. In Australia, the subsidies necessary to get people
to enrol in the private health insurance cost more than if those services
had been kept in the public system.
This is not the time for Liepert to make his bottom line look better at
the cost of Alberta's employers, especially small business which would be
hit hardest. Those already struggling may be forced to lay off workers as
costs become prohibitive.
Alberta has choices for public health care. A pointless $4.5 billion in
subsidies were announced this year alone for oil and gas drilling,
despite the fact the both conventional oil and conventional gas peaked in
Alberta years ago. Also, according to government figures, Alberta is
forgoing between $10 billion and $18 billion in tax revenues every year
compared with other provinces. If there is anything that is not
sustainable, it is the tax cuts and drilling subsidies.
Investment in health care and the province's health-care budget will need
to increase as our population grows and ages. Polls show that Albertans
want public health care, not tax cuts, but what they get is tax cuts and
health-care cuts. A Nanos research poll showed that more than 55 per cent
of Western Canadians support deficit financing and two-thirds say it is
important "... that the government increase investment in public
services like health care, social services, the justice system and
education during a downturn." In addition, 71.1 per cent of
participants favoured "government investing in health care, social
services and education," compared with 19.9 per cent who wanted
"government financial support for businesses in the automotive,
forestry or mining industries."
David Eggen is executive director of Friends of Medicare and a former NDP
MLA for Edmonton-Calder. Diana Gibson is research director of the
University of Alberta's Parkland Institute
© Copyright (c) The Edmonton Journal
Delisting services boosts costs for businesses, consumers; threatens economy
By David Eggen and Diana Gibson, The Edmonton Journal
April 19, 2009
Alberta Health Minister Ron Liepert has been very economical with the
truth on the health-care budget. He picked one of the few lines in the
budget that is up, while the overall budget for Health and Wellness has
actually been cut.
Infrastructure spending has been cut by almost $1 billion from what had
been budgeted in the capital plan and is down more than $600,000 from
last year. The total Health and Wellness budget did not get the
3.7-per-cent increase needed to account for inflation and population
growth. And now, delisting insured services has been raised.
While nations around the world are increasing spending to counter the
recession, Alberta is cutting. As part of its stimulus plan, China
announced it would spend $123 billion by 2011 to establish universal
health care for the country's 1.3 billion people, on the premise that
spending would put more money directly in Chinese consumers' pockets.
Even the United States, so infamous for its poor health care, has anted
up for increased health spending this year.
Instead of stimulus spending, the Alberta conservative government is
kicking the economy into what could be a serious tailspin. And if the
budget announcements were not bad enough, Liepert says he plans to delist
more services and may cut additional health-care infrastructure spending,
including much needed hospitals and long-term care beds.
Last month, Alberta lost more than 14,000 jobs, a trend that is likely to
continue. The $913-million cut from the capital budget will put 10,500
construction workers out of work. What better place for them than
building health-care facilities that will be much needed as our
population ages? Alberta is still recovering from shortages created by
the last downturn. The lack of long-term care beds continues to cause
backlogs and delays in hospital emergencies which have real
costs.
The infrastructure cuts have other costs as well. Currently,
infrastructure can be built at bargain prices. Delaying construction may
mean that the costs are much higher. Knowing the need is there and having
the workers in need of jobs, it is financially prudent to build that
infrastructure now and staff it now.
Other jurisdictions are also trying to bolster the economy by putting as
much money as possible into the hands of consumers and
businesses.
Liepert is doing the opposite, increasing business costs and taking money
out of the pockets of consumers. Delisting and de-insuring services
amounts to a direct transfer of costs from the province to businesses and
individuals.
Any service that is delisted or de-insured will be added to the long
growing roster of privately insured services paid for by employers,
causing rates to go up. Private insurance costs are already rising at
rates in excess of inflation.
It would also take money from consumers. Only about half of Albertans are
covered by workplace health benefits. For those who are not covered,
costs will also shoot up. The cap will be taken off of what professionals
can charge and they will raise fees to cover the loss of
patients.
Vision care is one of the services that has already been de-insured. This
resulted in a 17-per-cent jump in vision care costs in one year
alone.
Transferring costs out of the public health-care budget into private
insurance is not a path to sustainability. Australia provides a good
lesson on that front. In Australia, the subsidies necessary to get people
to enrol in the private health insurance cost more than if those services
had been kept in the public system.
This is not the time for Liepert to make his bottom line look better at
the cost of Alberta's employers, especially small business which would be
hit hardest. Those already struggling may be forced to lay off workers as
costs become prohibitive.
Alberta has choices for public health care. A pointless $4.5 billion in
subsidies were announced this year alone for oil and gas drilling,
despite the fact the both conventional oil and conventional gas peaked in
Alberta years ago. Also, according to government figures, Alberta is
forgoing between $10 billion and $18 billion in tax revenues every year
compared with other provinces. If there is anything that is not
sustainable, it is the tax cuts and drilling subsidies.
Investment in health care and the province's health-care budget will need
to increase as our population grows and ages. Polls show that Albertans
want public health care, not tax cuts, but what they get is tax cuts and
health-care cuts. A Nanos research poll showed that more than 55 per cent
of Western Canadians support deficit financing and two-thirds say it is
important "... that the government increase investment in public
services like health care, social services, the justice system and
education during a downturn." In addition, 71.1 per cent of
participants favoured "government investing in health care, social
services and education," compared with 19.9 per cent who wanted
"government financial support for businesses in the automotive,
forestry or mining industries."
David Eggen is executive director of Friends of Medicare and a former NDP
MLA for Edmonton-Calder. Diana Gibson is research director of the
University of Alberta's Parkland Institute
© Copyright (c) The Edmonton Journal
"Myths for Profit"
The Council of Canadians, Lethbridge and District Chapter, and the Lethbridge Network for Peace team up to sponsor a screening of “Myths for Profit.”
Myths for Profit: Canada's Role In Industries of War and Peace
Wednesday, April 8th at 7pm
Lethbridge Public Library - Theatre Gallery
http://www.wideopenexposure.com/merchandise.php
On Wednesday April 8th at 7pm at the Lethbridge Public Library Theatre Gallery, Wide Open Exposure Productions, an emerging media activists production team, hosts a screening of their new film. "Myths For Profit’," is a documentary exposé which explores ‘Canada’s role in Industries of War and Peace’.
Through diverse interviews and case studies the 60 minute documentary unveils the specific interests and profits that are made by certain corporations, individuals and agencies within Canada. The Canadian government and the military would like us to believe that we are altruistic peacekeepers helping people around the world. But is this accurate?
'MYTHS FOR PROFIT' examines how these misconceptions are maintained and who stands to gain by perpetuating them. The documentary strives to help people understand the systems of power in Canada and provides tools in order to move forward in challenging how they operate and collectively create change.
Visit http://www.wideopenexposure.com/M4P.php
to view the 10 minute trailer.
Wide Open Exposure is a new production team based in Montreal made up of social justice organisers and media activists. We are neither a registered business, nor are we a registered not for profit organization. We work with organizers to enrich their on-going grassroots efforts with relevant, vital media. We work with educators to bring into the classroom critical independent film and video on issues of social and economic justice.
For more info, contact sheila_rogers@shaw.ca
Myths for Profit: Canada's Role In Industries of War and Peace
Wednesday, April 8th at 7pm
Lethbridge Public Library - Theatre Gallery
http://www.wideopenexposure.com/merchandise.php
On Wednesday April 8th at 7pm at the Lethbridge Public Library Theatre Gallery, Wide Open Exposure Productions, an emerging media activists production team, hosts a screening of their new film. "Myths For Profit’," is a documentary exposé which explores ‘Canada’s role in Industries of War and Peace’.
Through diverse interviews and case studies the 60 minute documentary unveils the specific interests and profits that are made by certain corporations, individuals and agencies within Canada. The Canadian government and the military would like us to believe that we are altruistic peacekeepers helping people around the world. But is this accurate?
'MYTHS FOR PROFIT' examines how these misconceptions are maintained and who stands to gain by perpetuating them. The documentary strives to help people understand the systems of power in Canada and provides tools in order to move forward in challenging how they operate and collectively create change.
Visit http://www.wideopenexposure.com/M4P.php
to view the 10 minute trailer.
Wide Open Exposure is a new production team based in Montreal made up of social justice organisers and media activists. We are neither a registered business, nor are we a registered not for profit organization. We work with organizers to enrich their on-going grassroots efforts with relevant, vital media. We work with educators to bring into the classroom critical independent film and video on issues of social and economic justice.
For more info, contact sheila_rogers@shaw.ca
Fair Trade Gala
April 7th 7:00 - 9:00pm
Lethbridge Public Library - Theatre Gallery
810 5th Avenue South
Tickets by donation
daniel.manson@uleth.ca
Fair, local, and organic trade are all helping to create new forms of sustainable exchange in which producers and consumers can be active participants. Come hear talks by Dr. Patrick Wilson, Perry Stein, Daniel Manson, and Starsha Battrick. Listen to some local music, and relax with a nice cup of Fair Trade coffee or tea. Donations and silent auction proceeds will be donated to an Ecuadorian Women's Cooperative.
Lethbridge Public Library - Theatre Gallery
810 5th Avenue South
Tickets by donation
daniel.manson@uleth.ca
Fair, local, and organic trade are all helping to create new forms of sustainable exchange in which producers and consumers can be active participants. Come hear talks by Dr. Patrick Wilson, Perry Stein, Daniel Manson, and Starsha Battrick. Listen to some local music, and relax with a nice cup of Fair Trade coffee or tea. Donations and silent auction proceeds will be donated to an Ecuadorian Women's Cooperative.
Our Land, My People: The Struggle of the Lubicon Cree
We're hosting a screening of the film "Our Land, My People: The Struggle of the Lubicon Cree" on Thursday, March 26th at 12:00 (noon) in room L1170A in the University of Lethbridge Library.
The documentary "Our Land, My People: The Struggle of the Lubicon Cree" follows Lubicon councillors, elders, and band members as they share with Amnesty International the impact of resource exploitation on their way of life and traditional economy. Over $14B has been extracted from Lubicon land; the Lubicon have seen not a penny.
Aaron Chubb from Friends of the Lubicon Alberta (FOLA) will be on hand at the film screening, to discuss FOLA’s campaign to promote awareness of the plight of the Lubicon Lake Nation and demand the federal government negotiate on three key Lubicon Cree demands:
1. Self-government
2. Land claim settlement
3. Restitution
Since the late 1970s, the Lubicon Cree, an Indigenous people in Alberta, Canada, have seen the land on which they depend transformed by logging and large-scale oil and gas extraction. Despite a 1990 decision by the United Nations Human Rights Committee that the human rights of the Lubicon Cree are being violated by the impact of natural resource extraction, the Canadian authorities have failed to bring about a fair resolution of the long standing land dispute.
"The many long decades of failure to respect the human rights of the Lubicon Lake Indian Nation in Northern Alberta have become one of Canada's and Alberta's most notorious human rights failings on the world stage," said Alex Neve, secretary-general of Amnesty International Canada.
Amnesty International has launched a global initiative in support of the Lubicon Cree.
Link to Amnesty International Campaign:
www.amnesty.ca/amnestynews/upload/AMR200062008.pdf
The documentary "Our Land, My People: The Struggle of the Lubicon Cree" follows Lubicon councillors, elders, and band members as they share with Amnesty International the impact of resource exploitation on their way of life and traditional economy. Over $14B has been extracted from Lubicon land; the Lubicon have seen not a penny.
Aaron Chubb from Friends of the Lubicon Alberta (FOLA) will be on hand at the film screening, to discuss FOLA’s campaign to promote awareness of the plight of the Lubicon Lake Nation and demand the federal government negotiate on three key Lubicon Cree demands:
1. Self-government
2. Land claim settlement
3. Restitution
Since the late 1970s, the Lubicon Cree, an Indigenous people in Alberta, Canada, have seen the land on which they depend transformed by logging and large-scale oil and gas extraction. Despite a 1990 decision by the United Nations Human Rights Committee that the human rights of the Lubicon Cree are being violated by the impact of natural resource extraction, the Canadian authorities have failed to bring about a fair resolution of the long standing land dispute.
"The many long decades of failure to respect the human rights of the Lubicon Lake Indian Nation in Northern Alberta have become one of Canada's and Alberta's most notorious human rights failings on the world stage," said Alex Neve, secretary-general of Amnesty International Canada.
Amnesty International has launched a global initiative in support of the Lubicon Cree.
Link to Amnesty International Campaign:
www.amnesty.ca/amnestynews/upload/AMR200062008.pdf
Greening the Grid: Powering Alberta's Future with Renewable Energy
Tim Weis (Pembina Institute)
Greening the Grid and Powering Alberta’s Future with Renewable Energy
Wednesday, March 18th at 7pm
Lethbridge Public Library Community Room
Tim Weis - Director of Renewable Energy and Efficiency Policy at the Pembina Institute, will be speaking on Greening the Grid and Powering Alberta's Future on Wednesday, March 18th at 7pm in the Community Room at the Lethbridge Public Library. This event is free of charge and open to the public. It is co-sponsored by the Council of Canadians, Lethbridge Chapter and the Lethbridge Public Interest Research Group (LPIRG).
Tim Weis recently co-authored a report (with Jeff Bell, Policy Analyst for the Alberta Energy Solutions team with the Pembina Institute) titled Greening the Grid and Powering Alberta's Future. This report presents a comprehensive analysis of Alberta's power production and energy efficiency opportunities and demonstrates the dominant role that renewable energy and improved efficiency can play in seriously reducing pollution and meeting future power demand.
The report outlines two scenarios, one a “pale green” scenario that relies on renewable energy and energy efficiency to meet all new growth in Alberta’s electricity supply with clean technologies. The other, a more aggressive “green” scenario, shows how Alberta could move from 70 per cent coal to 70 per cent renewable energy in just 20 years. This isn't just analysis and complaints, they offer a real solution.
To read the full report, go to http://www.pembina.org/pub/1763
Tim Weis is a professional engineer and the Director of Renewable Energy and Efficiency Policy at the Pembina Institute. His research focus is on technical and policy options to advance efficient and sustainable energy systems in Canada. Tim has written numerous reports and manuals on renewable energy and energy efficiency on issues at national, provincial and municipal levels as well as issues specific to First Nations’ and northern contexts. He has assisted more than 20 communities at various stages of development of renewable energy projects. Tim is also currently completing his PhD at the Université du Québec à Rimouski studying wind energy development in remote Canadian communities. Tim has also worked as a renewable energy consultant examining wind energy challenges in Northern communities. Tim has a Masters of Mechanical Engineering degree from the University of Alberta where he studied ice adhesion to wind turbine blades.
Greening the Grid and Powering Alberta’s Future with Renewable Energy
Wednesday, March 18th at 7pm
Lethbridge Public Library Community Room
Tim Weis - Director of Renewable Energy and Efficiency Policy at the Pembina Institute, will be speaking on Greening the Grid and Powering Alberta's Future on Wednesday, March 18th at 7pm in the Community Room at the Lethbridge Public Library. This event is free of charge and open to the public. It is co-sponsored by the Council of Canadians, Lethbridge Chapter and the Lethbridge Public Interest Research Group (LPIRG).
Tim Weis recently co-authored a report (with Jeff Bell, Policy Analyst for the Alberta Energy Solutions team with the Pembina Institute) titled Greening the Grid and Powering Alberta's Future. This report presents a comprehensive analysis of Alberta's power production and energy efficiency opportunities and demonstrates the dominant role that renewable energy and improved efficiency can play in seriously reducing pollution and meeting future power demand.
The report outlines two scenarios, one a “pale green” scenario that relies on renewable energy and energy efficiency to meet all new growth in Alberta’s electricity supply with clean technologies. The other, a more aggressive “green” scenario, shows how Alberta could move from 70 per cent coal to 70 per cent renewable energy in just 20 years. This isn't just analysis and complaints, they offer a real solution.
To read the full report, go to http://www.pembina.org/pub/1763
Tim Weis is a professional engineer and the Director of Renewable Energy and Efficiency Policy at the Pembina Institute. His research focus is on technical and policy options to advance efficient and sustainable energy systems in Canada. Tim has written numerous reports and manuals on renewable energy and energy efficiency on issues at national, provincial and municipal levels as well as issues specific to First Nations’ and northern contexts. He has assisted more than 20 communities at various stages of development of renewable energy projects. Tim is also currently completing his PhD at the Université du Québec à Rimouski studying wind energy development in remote Canadian communities. Tim has also worked as a renewable energy consultant examining wind energy challenges in Northern communities. Tim has a Masters of Mechanical Engineering degree from the University of Alberta where he studied ice adhesion to wind turbine blades.
Changing the World Student Speaker Challenge - Session 3
Session 1 and 2 are complete. The judges and audience have chosen Jeff Henry and Trish Silk to move on to the semi-final round on March 17th.
Now it's on to round 3.
Changing the World Student Speaker Challenge - Session 3
Tuesday, March 10 12:15 to 1:30
Speakers - Jason Thorne and Joanna Waszkiewicz
The Changing the World Student Speaker Challenge is organized by SACPA on Campus which is a collaboration between SACPA (Southern Alberta Council on Public Affairs), the ULSU (U of L Students' Union), and LPIRG (Lethbridge Public Interest Research Group).
Recognizing that each individual has a unique perspective and an authentic voice, students will be given a chance to communicate their thesis to an audience and defend it, thereby gaining and honing skills in developing and exchanging new ideas.
A winner is chosen from each session to be promoted to the semi-finals. Two students will then go on to the final session where a sole winner will be selected to receive a prize of $500.
Winners at each session will be determined by a panel of judges and an audience vote.
Changing the World Student Speaker Challenge semi-final and final sessions are scheduled at the U of L as follows:
Semi-Final Session - Tuesday, March 17, 4:00 - 6:00 Ballroom A
Final Session - Tuesday, March 31, 7:00 - 9:00 Andy's Place (AH100)
Everyone is encouraged to attend and participate in this series of debates.
Now it's on to round 3.
Changing the World Student Speaker Challenge - Session 3
Tuesday, March 10 12:15 to 1:30
Speakers - Jason Thorne and Joanna Waszkiewicz
The Changing the World Student Speaker Challenge is organized by SACPA on Campus which is a collaboration between SACPA (Southern Alberta Council on Public Affairs), the ULSU (U of L Students' Union), and LPIRG (Lethbridge Public Interest Research Group).
Recognizing that each individual has a unique perspective and an authentic voice, students will be given a chance to communicate their thesis to an audience and defend it, thereby gaining and honing skills in developing and exchanging new ideas.
A winner is chosen from each session to be promoted to the semi-finals. Two students will then go on to the final session where a sole winner will be selected to receive a prize of $500.
Winners at each session will be determined by a panel of judges and an audience vote.
Changing the World Student Speaker Challenge semi-final and final sessions are scheduled at the U of L as follows:
Semi-Final Session - Tuesday, March 17, 4:00 - 6:00 Ballroom A
Final Session - Tuesday, March 31, 7:00 - 9:00 Andy's Place (AH100)
Everyone is encouraged to attend and participate in this series of debates.
Changing the World Student Speaker Challenge
The first session is over and Jeff Henry was selected to move on to the semi-final round on March 17 at 4pm in Ballroom A. Who will his rivals be?
Session 2
Student Speakers - Trish Silk and Josh Pollard
Tuesday, March 3 – 12:15 to 1:30
Ballroom A, Students’ Union Building
Admission is free, everyone is welcome to attend. Bring your friends and bring your critical thinking skills as you will have an opportunity to challenge the speakers on their theses.
The Changing the World Student Speaker Challenge is an initiative of SACPA on Campus, which is a collaboration between the ULSU, LPIRG (Lethbridge Public Interest Research Group) and SACPA (Southern Alberta Council on Public Affairs).
SACPA on Campus has a mandate to encourage thought and discourse outside of the classic lecture style to students and the university community at large. In keeping with this, SACPA on Campus has developed an interactive format that encourages discussion and open discourse with one another and with the presenter during events. This style gives students the chance to question and discuss what they have just learned and encourages a more open exchange of ideas.
Session 2
Student Speakers - Trish Silk and Josh Pollard
Tuesday, March 3 – 12:15 to 1:30
Ballroom A, Students’ Union Building
Admission is free, everyone is welcome to attend. Bring your friends and bring your critical thinking skills as you will have an opportunity to challenge the speakers on their theses.
The Changing the World Student Speaker Challenge is an initiative of SACPA on Campus, which is a collaboration between the ULSU, LPIRG (Lethbridge Public Interest Research Group) and SACPA (Southern Alberta Council on Public Affairs).
SACPA on Campus has a mandate to encourage thought and discourse outside of the classic lecture style to students and the university community at large. In keeping with this, SACPA on Campus has developed an interactive format that encourages discussion and open discourse with one another and with the presenter during events. This style gives students the chance to question and discuss what they have just learned and encourages a more open exchange of ideas.
Changing the World Student Speaker Challenge – Session 1 – Feb 24
The Student Speakers have been selected! And now we get to hear what they have to say about Our Current Crisis: What Does Change Mean In Our World Today.
Session 1
Student Speakers - Jeff Henry and Salman Ashrafi.
Tuesday, February 24 – 12:15 to 1:30
Galileo’s Gallery, Students’ Union Building
Admission is free, everyone is welcome to attend. Bring your friends and bring your critical thinking skills as you will have an opportunity to challenge the speakers on their theses.
The Changing the World Student Speaker Challenge is an initiative of SACPA on Campus, which is a collaboration between the ULSU, LPIRG (Lethbridge Public Interest Research Group) and SACPA (Southern Alberta Council on Public Affairs).
SACPA on Campus has a mandate to encourage thought and discourse outside of the classic lecture style to students and the university community at large. In keeping with this, SACPA on Campus has developed an interactive format that encourages discussion and open discourse with one another and with the presenter during events. This style gives students the chance to question and discuss what they have just learned and encourages a more open exchange of ideas.
Session 1
Student Speakers - Jeff Henry and Salman Ashrafi.
Tuesday, February 24 – 12:15 to 1:30
Galileo’s Gallery, Students’ Union Building
Admission is free, everyone is welcome to attend. Bring your friends and bring your critical thinking skills as you will have an opportunity to challenge the speakers on their theses.
The Changing the World Student Speaker Challenge is an initiative of SACPA on Campus, which is a collaboration between the ULSU, LPIRG (Lethbridge Public Interest Research Group) and SACPA (Southern Alberta Council on Public Affairs).
SACPA on Campus has a mandate to encourage thought and discourse outside of the classic lecture style to students and the university community at large. In keeping with this, SACPA on Campus has developed an interactive format that encourages discussion and open discourse with one another and with the presenter during events. This style gives students the chance to question and discuss what they have just learned and encourages a more open exchange of ideas.
Opt-Out Deadline - Feb. 13
The Lethbridge Public Interest Research Group (LPIRG) is a student-run, student-funded, not-for-profit organization dedicated to research, education, and action in the public interest. LPIRG exists to provide students with resources to be active citizens.
Each year, LPIRG provides approximately $20,000 in direct grants to students, as well as in-kind services, support, and training to student working groups, projects, events, and research. We also maintain an office and resource library which is open to all LPIRG members.
Undergraduates not wishing to pay the $5.00 LPIRG dedicated fee for the Spring 2009 semester may have that fee refunded. To opt-out, copy and paste the LPIRG Opt-Out Form into the body of your email and send it on or before the opt-out deadline – Friday, February 13. Your opt-out form must be sent via your personal uleth.ca web-mail account to be considered valid. Please note that in opting-out you forfeit your LPIRG membership and therefore your eligibility for LPIRG funds.
Coop students whose fees are not due until later in the semester must contact LPIRG by the opt-out deadline, Feb. 13 in order to make arrangements to have their LPIRG fee refunded.
LPIRG Opt-Out Form
I, ________________(first and last name as you wish it to appear on your cheque), hereby opt-out of the LPIRG membership fee for the Spring 2009 semester. In doing so, I understand that I am no longer eligible for access to LPIRG funds. My reason for opting-out is __________ _________________. (Please provide a brief explanation for your refund request; your response will help LPIRG to better meet the interests of the student body.)
Student ID#: _______________
Mailing address (where you want us to send your cheque)
Each year, LPIRG provides approximately $20,000 in direct grants to students, as well as in-kind services, support, and training to student working groups, projects, events, and research. We also maintain an office and resource library which is open to all LPIRG members.
Undergraduates not wishing to pay the $5.00 LPIRG dedicated fee for the Spring 2009 semester may have that fee refunded. To opt-out, copy and paste the LPIRG Opt-Out Form into the body of your email and send it on or before the opt-out deadline – Friday, February 13. Your opt-out form must be sent via your personal uleth.ca web-mail account to be considered valid. Please note that in opting-out you forfeit your LPIRG membership and therefore your eligibility for LPIRG funds.
Coop students whose fees are not due until later in the semester must contact LPIRG by the opt-out deadline, Feb. 13 in order to make arrangements to have their LPIRG fee refunded.
LPIRG Opt-Out Form
I, ________________(first and last name as you wish it to appear on your cheque), hereby opt-out of the LPIRG membership fee for the Spring 2009 semester. In doing so, I understand that I am no longer eligible for access to LPIRG funds. My reason for opting-out is __________ _________________. (Please provide a brief explanation for your refund request; your response will help LPIRG to better meet the interests of the student body.)
Student ID#: _______________
Mailing address (where you want us to send your cheque)
LPIRG Board of Directors Elections
The Lethbridge Public Interest Research Group (LPIRG) will hold elections for 7 Board of Directors positions in conjunction with the University of Lethbridge Students’ Union elections. LPIRG’s Board is elected annually and is composed of undergraduate students. All undergraduate students who have not opted-out of the LPIRG fee, are eligible to vote and to run for a position on the Board of Directors.
LPIRG ELECTION DATES
Nominations open: Mon, Feb 9 @ 8:30am
Nominations close: Thursday Feb 12 @ 4pm
Candidate orientation: Thursday Feb 12 @ 4pm
Campaigning begins: Sat. Feb 21 @ noon
Campaigning ends: Mon. Mar 2 @ 4:30pm
ON-LINE VOTING
Begins: Tue. Mar 3 @ 8:30am
Ends: Thurs. Mar 5 @3pm
Results: Thurs. Mar 5 @ 5pm in the Zoo
If you are interested in running for the LPIRG Board of Directors, please fill out the LPIRG Board of Directors Nomination Form (available from our office SU242). Completed nomination forms must be submitted to the Students’ Union office (SU180) by 4pm Thursday, February 12.
LPIRG is a student led, student funded not-for-profit organization dedicated to research, education, advocacy, and action in the public interest. LPIRG exists to provide students with resources to be active citizens.
LPIRG is a collective, following in the tradition of Public Interest Research Groups on other Canadian campuses, that combines student research, education, and action initiatives. LPIRG provides funding for undergraduate research, projects, events, and working groups in the public interest. We facilitate opportunities for skills development through educational events, public campaigns and partnerships with community organizations. It is our hope to transform social concern into effective action by providing administrative, informational, and technical support to students at the U of L.
The LPIRG Board of Directors is responsible for overseeing all of LPIRG’s operations. Board member duties include organizing events, setting annual priorities, reviewing funding applications, developing and maintaining policy, doing community outreach, and hiring staff. All board decisions are made by consensus.
For more information, contact us at:
pirg@uleth.ca
332-5243
LPIRG ELECTION DATES
Nominations open: Mon, Feb 9 @ 8:30am
Nominations close: Thursday Feb 12 @ 4pm
Candidate orientation: Thursday Feb 12 @ 4pm
Campaigning begins: Sat. Feb 21 @ noon
Campaigning ends: Mon. Mar 2 @ 4:30pm
ON-LINE VOTING
Begins: Tue. Mar 3 @ 8:30am
Ends: Thurs. Mar 5 @3pm
Results: Thurs. Mar 5 @ 5pm in the Zoo
If you are interested in running for the LPIRG Board of Directors, please fill out the LPIRG Board of Directors Nomination Form (available from our office SU242). Completed nomination forms must be submitted to the Students’ Union office (SU180) by 4pm Thursday, February 12.
LPIRG is a student led, student funded not-for-profit organization dedicated to research, education, advocacy, and action in the public interest. LPIRG exists to provide students with resources to be active citizens.
LPIRG is a collective, following in the tradition of Public Interest Research Groups on other Canadian campuses, that combines student research, education, and action initiatives. LPIRG provides funding for undergraduate research, projects, events, and working groups in the public interest. We facilitate opportunities for skills development through educational events, public campaigns and partnerships with community organizations. It is our hope to transform social concern into effective action by providing administrative, informational, and technical support to students at the U of L.
The LPIRG Board of Directors is responsible for overseeing all of LPIRG’s operations. Board member duties include organizing events, setting annual priorities, reviewing funding applications, developing and maintaining policy, doing community outreach, and hiring staff. All board decisions are made by consensus.
For more information, contact us at:
pirg@uleth.ca
332-5243
Changing the World Student Speaker Challenge
Changing the World Student Speaker Challenge
Building on the premise that in a democracy, an informed public makes the best decisions, SACPAS (Southern Alberta Council on Public Affairs Society), LPIRG (Lethbridge Public Interest Research Group), and the ULSU (U of L Students’ Union) are collaborating to provide students with a forum to express their point of view on issues of significance. Recognizing that each individual has a unique perspective and an authentic voice, students will be given a chance to communicate their thesis to an audience and defend it, thereby gaining and honing skills in developing and exchanging new ideas.
This opportunity will take the form of a competition in which students will address the topic “Our Current Crisis: What Does Change Mean in Our World Today?” You may approach the topic from any discipline or angle that is meaningful to you, such as economics, health care, environment, globalization, consumerism or all of the above. The speaker challenge will begin with three noon-hour sessions, each with 2 speakers addressing the topic and fielding questions on their thesis. A winner will be chosen at each of these sessions and will be promoted to the semi-finals. Two students will then go on to the final session where a sole winner will be selected to receive the final prize. Winners at each session will be determined by a panel of judges and an audience vote.
Undergraduate and graduate students are welcome to apply and presenters will be paired according to skill level (as assessed from application form), year of study, and thesis. There will be a total of six participants with three of those advancing to further rounds and one final winner. Prizes will be given out to the top three participants - $100 for third place, $300 for second place, and $500 for the winner. Out of the six contestants we will accept a maximum of three graduate students.
The format will be such that in the first round, two presenters will face off, each having 15 minutes to present their thesis. After a five minute break, the presenter will then be asked questions from the audience and the judges for 15 minutes. The total length of the session will be one hour and ten minutes.
Changing the World Student Speaker Challenge sessions are scheduled as follows.
Session 1 – Tuesday, February 10, 12:15 – 1:25 Galileo’s Gallery
Session 2 – Tuesday, February 24, 12:15 – 1:25 Galileo’s Gallery
Session 3 – Tuesday, March 3, 12:15 – 1:25 Ballroom A
Semi-Final Session – Tuesday, March 17, 4:00 – 6:00 Ballroom A
Final Session – Tuesday, March 31, 7:00 – 9:00 Andy’s Place (AH100)
To apply, please fill out the following application form. Applications must be submitted electronically to pirg@uleth.ca with Changing the World in the subject line. The deadline for applications is Friday, January 30.
For more information, please contact Sheila at pirg@uleth.ca, or 332-5243.
CHANGING THE WORLD STUDENT SPEAKER CHALLENGE
APPLICATION FORM
Name:
Email:
Year of Study:
Faculty/ Major:
Public Speaking Experience (class presentations, etc.):
Why are you interested in applying for this?
How would you address the topic – “Our Current Crisis: What Does Change Mean In Our World Today?” Is change possible?
Please provide a short autobiography:
*Please note that personal interviews may be necessary in order to select and pair up speakers.
Building on the premise that in a democracy, an informed public makes the best decisions, SACPAS (Southern Alberta Council on Public Affairs Society), LPIRG (Lethbridge Public Interest Research Group), and the ULSU (U of L Students’ Union) are collaborating to provide students with a forum to express their point of view on issues of significance. Recognizing that each individual has a unique perspective and an authentic voice, students will be given a chance to communicate their thesis to an audience and defend it, thereby gaining and honing skills in developing and exchanging new ideas.
This opportunity will take the form of a competition in which students will address the topic “Our Current Crisis: What Does Change Mean in Our World Today?” You may approach the topic from any discipline or angle that is meaningful to you, such as economics, health care, environment, globalization, consumerism or all of the above. The speaker challenge will begin with three noon-hour sessions, each with 2 speakers addressing the topic and fielding questions on their thesis. A winner will be chosen at each of these sessions and will be promoted to the semi-finals. Two students will then go on to the final session where a sole winner will be selected to receive the final prize. Winners at each session will be determined by a panel of judges and an audience vote.
Undergraduate and graduate students are welcome to apply and presenters will be paired according to skill level (as assessed from application form), year of study, and thesis. There will be a total of six participants with three of those advancing to further rounds and one final winner. Prizes will be given out to the top three participants - $100 for third place, $300 for second place, and $500 for the winner. Out of the six contestants we will accept a maximum of three graduate students.
The format will be such that in the first round, two presenters will face off, each having 15 minutes to present their thesis. After a five minute break, the presenter will then be asked questions from the audience and the judges for 15 minutes. The total length of the session will be one hour and ten minutes.
Changing the World Student Speaker Challenge sessions are scheduled as follows.
Session 1 – Tuesday, February 10, 12:15 – 1:25 Galileo’s Gallery
Session 2 – Tuesday, February 24, 12:15 – 1:25 Galileo’s Gallery
Session 3 – Tuesday, March 3, 12:15 – 1:25 Ballroom A
Semi-Final Session – Tuesday, March 17, 4:00 – 6:00 Ballroom A
Final Session – Tuesday, March 31, 7:00 – 9:00 Andy’s Place (AH100)
To apply, please fill out the following application form. Applications must be submitted electronically to pirg@uleth.ca with Changing the World in the subject line. The deadline for applications is Friday, January 30.
For more information, please contact Sheila at pirg@uleth.ca, or 332-5243.
CHANGING THE WORLD STUDENT SPEAKER CHALLENGE
APPLICATION FORM
Name:
Email:
Year of Study:
Faculty/ Major:
Public Speaking Experience (class presentations, etc.):
Why are you interested in applying for this?
How would you address the topic – “Our Current Crisis: What Does Change Mean In Our World Today?” Is change possible?
Please provide a short autobiography:
*Please note that personal interviews may be necessary in order to select and pair up speakers.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)