Igniting Greater Civic Engagement in Our Community, Our Province

A solutions-focused panel discussion with the Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia, the Honourable Janet Austin, OBC

Date: March 5
Time: 6:00 p.m. doors open | 6:30 p.m. discussion begins
Place: The Laurel Packinghouse, 1304 Ellis Street, Kelowna
Cost: Free, but registration is required as seating is limited
Public reception with refreshments to follow

As the inaugural event of the Okanagan campus’ Festival of Ideas, this panel will begin a year-long line up of events that will inspire ideas and catalyze conversation as we celebrate the 15th anniversary of this campus.

What can individuals, institutions and organizations do to advance reconciliation, democracy, and equity and inclusion? This moderated panel discussion, featuring Her Honour and three speakers, will look to engage the audience in solution-focused approaches that can lead to positive social change.

Panel members will bring their unique insights and expertise on the three themes that are priorities for Her Honour during her appointment: Equity, Diversity and Inclusion; Democracy and Civic Engagement; and Reconciliation. To best engage our community and hear their valuable thoughts and questions, audience members will have the opportunity to ask questions both in-person and through an electronic platform. Audience members joining via the livestream will also be able to participate through the electronic platform.

In order to ensure all who wish to engage can, regardless of location, this event was live-streamed.

Speakers:

  • Janet Austin, OBC, the Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia
  • Aaron Derrickson, UBC Okanagan PhD Candidate, Indigenous Studies
  • Romil Jain, President, UBC Students’ Union Okanagan
  • Karen Ragoonaden, Professor of Teaching, UBC Okanagan

Emcee and moderator: Michael Burgess, Associate Provost, Strategy, UBC Okanagan

Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia Panel Discussion

Join us for this solutions-focused panel discussion with the Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia, the Honourable Janet Austin, OBC. For more info and events, visit ok.ubc.ca/festival-of-ideas.

Posted by UBC Okanagan on Wednesday, March 4, 2020

Register Now

This event is free but seating capacity is limited. Can’t attend? Check back for a link to the livestream.

Biographies

BC Lt. Governor Jane AustinThe Honourable Janet Austin, OBC, Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia

The Honourable Janet Austin was sworn in as the province’s 30th Lieutenant Governor in 2018 and represents Her Majesty at the provincial level.

During her term, Her Honour’s goal is to use her position to shine a light on contemporary social issues and help create positive societal change and improve the lives of British Columbians. Her Honour has identified the three distinct areas of focus for her term; Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, Democracy and Civic Engagement, and Reconciliation.

Aaron Derrickson
Aaron Derrickson

PhD Candidate, Indigenous Studies, UBC Okanagan

Aaron Derrickson is a member of the Syilx Okanagan nation and a PhD candidate in Indigenous Studies at UBC Okanagan. His research focuses on leadership and governance from a Syilx perspective.

Through highlighting the leadership principles in oral traditions, he hopes to continue to partner with the Syilx communities to enrich their leadership.

Aaron is bringing his unique insights and experience to Her Honour’s area of focus: Reconciliation

 

 

 

Romil Jain
Romil Jain

President, UBC Students’ Union Okanagan

Romil Jain is the current Student Union President at UBC Okanagan. He is driven by his passion for improving the student experience and ensuring students are set up to succeed.

He is particularly proud of the recent work that has been done to create a food bank for students and to bridge the gap between students and their student government through the introduction of Town Halls. As a 5th year Economics major he looks forward to pursuing consulting after he graduates.

Romil is bringing his unique insights and experience to Her Honour’s area of focus: Democracy and Civic Engagement

Karen Ragoonaden
Karen Ragoonaden

Professor of Teaching, UBC Okanagan 

Dr. Karen Ragoonaden is a Professor of Teaching at the Okanagan School of Education, UBC Okanagan. She has lived, studied and worked in North America, Europe and Africa.

Her most recent book, Mindful and Relational Approaches to Social Justice, Equity and Diversity examines how a mindful pedagogy can support democratic ways of being, connecting prac­tices of awareness, reflection, dialog, and action to democratic citizenship and social arrangements.

Karen is bringing her unique insights and experience to Her Honour’s area of focus: Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Michael BurgessEmcee and moderator:
Michael Burgess, Associate Provost Strategy, UBC Okanagan

Dr. Michael Burgess is the Associate Provost, Strategy at UBC Okanagan. Utilizing his research background in deliberative public engagement he will support engagement with the Okanagan Community on a deeper level. Some of his varied current research includes governance of remote and Indigenous biobanks and exploration of concepts of diversity and inclusiveness.