Panel+Discussion


 * Panel Discussion**

This panel conversation seeks to engage participants in a conversation about the interdisciplinary nature of environmental issues and the role of collaboration in working for environmental change. Three individuals from diverse disciplines have been invited to sit on the panel: Professor Paul Fieguth, Professor Kathryn Hochstetler, and Professor Lowell Ewert. Professor Heather Douglas will be moderating the conversation, and audience members will be invited to ask questions during the panel.

Dr. Paul Fieguth is currently Professor and Chair of Systems Design Engineering at the University of Waterloo. While his research specializes in spatial and hierarchical statistics, Dr. Fieguth is well-informed regarding the topics of fossil fuels, climate change, alternative energy, and social change.

Dr. Kathryn Hochstetler is currently the CIGI (Centre for International Governance Innovation) Chair of Governance in the Americas in the Balsillie School of International Affairs and Professor of Political Science at the University of Waterloo. Dr. Hochstetler's interests range from civil society and social movements, to environmental politics and beyond.

Dr. Lowell Ewert is currently Professor and Director of Peace and Conflict Studies at the University of Waterloo. Lowell Ewert joins us from Peace and Conflict Studies. Dr. Ewert has a background in law, interests in human rights, peace and development issues, and field experience around the world.

Dr. Heather Douglas is currently Professor of Philosphy at the University of Waterloo. Dr. Douglas's interests include the philosophy of science, and her work centres on the use of science in policy-making and the policies that guide the practices of science.


 * Prompting Thoughts**

The following questions have been sent to the panelists, which we hope will set the overall tone of the panel conversation:

1) How do you feel that peace and environment relate to each other (and to your work)? 2) What is the relevance of collaboration in addressing issues related to environment and peace? 3) How might students and professionals be mindful collaborators in their work and studies; how might our lifestyles, academic and career choices emphasize the importance of interdisciplinary approaches to creating environmental change and peace?

We invite you to consider these questions and develop a few of your own; there will be time for audience questions.

**Audience Questions**

The following questions were submitted by audience members. Unfortunately, there wasn't time for the panelists to respond to all of them, but we wanted to post the complete list online to recognize everyone's great questions and provoke further discussion:


 * How do you see the role of governments in responsibility about environmental issues? Where is the space for nongovernmental organizations, and those which may oppose governmental action? Are there clear, practical first steps toward progress?
 * To all [panelists]: In general, people who already care about the issue are the ones who seek that deep knowledge. How do we encourage others to search for that knowledge when humans have become so alienated from their environment?
 * Last week Harper was quoted on a speech looking at approach to economic development: "Easy choices now mean fewer choices later." What can you say to the gap between the government's focus on economic growth and environmental protection? Harper's statement may be perfectly applied to the environment, but acknowledgment of this is not there. How can we reorient approaches from REaction to PREvention, long-term versus short term focus?
 * While everyone should have something to contribute (Human Rights) does that mean it should be what they want to do? Many say the economy will be saved by training professionals, especially High-Tech & Research. Is this a reasonable course to pursue as a nation?
 * With the rise of police brutality, such as that which motivated the Earth Liberation Front, the argument is that peaceful protest works has been weakened. If this is true, what would you propose as an alternative? If not, what should we do to reclaim effectiveness?
 * How can local resilience be used to promote peace and human rights globally? Also, can we start with Paul on this one? "Reverse the Spider Web"
 * Prof. Fieguth, you say we don't live in a linear world--that actions have more consequences that we might foresee. Have you considered that going local might have more consequences too? IF we all go local and big box stores have to close sweatshops or a few of their stores, all those people will be out of work. Perhaps sweatshops are not ideal work environments, but they might be the best options people have.
 * How do you measure the effectiveness of environment social movements outside of policy changes?
 * How do we synthesize (balance) global collaboration and individual ingenuity (people solving their own problems vs. top-down approach where experts pass on "solutions" to a local populace)?
 * To Paul: Keeping in mind the idea that staying local is important to minimizing environmental damages, how do we compare that to gaining international perspective to these issues?
 * Are there areas within the field of environment and peacebuilding where best solutions don't come from collaborative decision-making? Are there types of large-scale decisions best made by specialized experts?
 * Is activism effective to demand change in polics? If it is, what is the most effective way to demand change on an international scale (direct action, letters, etc.)?
 * Does the "first world" (the global north) need to lower their standards of living to make a genuine effort in the global justice movement? How Should we do this?
 * I recently went and heard Norm Finkelstein speak. He said something along the lines of "Politics is getting people to act on what they already know is wrong." What do you think about that?
 * How does veganism and animal rights relate to these issues of environmental sustainability and social peace, in your opinions?
 * It seems that in our current reality, the continuing breaking down of global cultural barriers is inevitable. Are there benefits we can take from this emerging "globalized web" to support very local-centric communities?


 * Ongoing Discussion and Feedback Space (add comments by selecting the comment tool at the top right of page)**

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 * Additional Resources (feel free to add your notes from this discussion and other items using the edit option)**

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