Institute of Island Studies hosts public symposium about homelessness and food insecurity on PEI
Members of the public are invited to attend the 2024 Harry Baglole Memorial Public Symposium in Island Studies, titled “Homelessness and Food Insecurity on Canada’s Food Island,” on November 7, 2024, at 6:00 pm, in the Alex H. MacKinnon Auditorium, Don and Marion McDougall Hall, at UPEI.
The Institute of Island Studies at UPEI, the UPEI Faculty of Science (foods and nutrition program in Applied Human Sciences), the Campus Food Bank, and the UPEI Student Union are hosting the symposium in collaboration with the Native Council of PEI, Meals on Wheels PEI, the John Howard Society of PEI, the Adventure Group, and the Upper Room Hospitality Ministry.
Prior to the symposium, between 4:00 and 6:00 pm, information booths in Schurman Market Square, also in Don and Marion McDougall Hall, will provide an opportunity to learn more about not-for-profit organizations doing work related to the themes that will be discussed at the symposium. Representatives of the Community Outreach Centre, John Howard Society of PEI, Meals on Wheels PEI, the PEI Food Exchange, ResourceAbilities, and PEI Family Violence Prevention Services will be on hand to discuss their work.
The symposium will include opening presentations by Dr. Jennifer Taylor, who teaches in UPEI’s foods and nutrition program and is a food insecurity researcher, and Jacinta Brown, a UPEI alumna and Program Manager of the Community Outreach Centre with The Adventure Group. Oliver Batchilder, an Islander studying at Mount Allison University, will speak about a new research project on food insecurity in rural PEI. Some related research and resources will also be shared.
Following a short break, there will be a panel discussion featuring Chris Clay, Reaching Home Coordinator, Native Council of Prince Edward Island; Josh Constantinou, Coordinated Access Coordinator, John Howard Society of PEI; Haley Zavo, Executive Director, Meals on Wheels PEI; and Mike MacDonald, Executive Director, Upper Room Hospitality Ministry.
The final segment of the symposium is focused on audience participation with the aim of gathering ideas and thoughts about how community members can best collaborate, in different ways, to continue, support, and strengthen meaningful work to better PEI. Sébastien Parker, an assistant professor cross-appointed with UPEI’s departments of Political Science and Sociology, will wrap up the evening by providing closing thoughts.
Don and Marion McDougall Hall is within walking distance of a bus stop on University Avenue and is accessible. Limited metered parking is available in front of the Kelley Memorial Building next door. Parking is available at no cost in UPEI’s general lots.
Seating at the Alex H. MacKinnon Auditorium is limited, so people who wish to attend in person are asked to RSVP to iis@upei.ca. The symposium will also be live-streamed through a link on https://www.islandstudies.com and the Institute of Island Studies social media. All are welcome.
