The organization behind the popular Couchiching Conference now has a local chapter and is set to present its first event.
Doug West is president of the Canadian International Council’s (CIC) new Simcoe County branch, which is “focused on bringing local citizens to a greater appreciation of international issues and events that impact our work and lives.”
West, an associate professor with the departments of political science and interdisciplinary studies at Lakehead University in Orillia, had been involved with the Couchiching Conference over the years. That event saw some of Canada’s top politicians and policy makers gather every summer at YMCA Geneva Park.
The conference was put on hold as the Canadian Institute on Public Affairs, which organized the event, sought additional resources.
The conference is now organized by the CIC and it returned virtually in January, with former prime minister Paul Martin as the headline speaker.
The not-for-profit CIC has 18 branches across the country.
“I always thought it would be nice to have something here,” West said, adding he hopes to see the Couchiching Conference eventually return to the area as an in-person event.
In the meantime, CIC branches are offering a variety of online events. The Simcoe County branch’s first one will take place via Zoom on May 11 from 4 to 6 p.m. It’s called Commanding Hope in Action: Leveraging Climate Change Action Through Financial Institutional Reform.
Discussing the topic of institutional divestment from fossil fuel corporations will be Elana Sulakshana (Rainforest Action Network), Amelia Meister (SumOfUs), Patrick DeRochie (SHIFT) and Paul Berger (Lakehead University).
“The quality and calibre of the speakers are great,” West said, encouraging people to register for the free event here.
Simcoe County is an ideal place for a CIC branch for a number of reasons, he said. One is the fact this is a growing region that is seeing people retire here, and many of them have backgrounds in or some connection to international affairs.
Another reason is the presence of Lakehead in Orillia and Georgian College, which has campuses in the county in Barrie, Midland and Orillia.
“It’s about raising awareness about Canada and international affairs, bringing that discussion to average Canadians, and also to connect students to international affairs,” West said.
The Simcoe County branch was formed this month and has a handful of members. West is hoping more people will join.
“It’s a good thing to get involved with if you’re interested at all in international affairs and Canada’s position in the world,” he said.
Those interested in becoming a member can do so here or by emailing West at [email protected].
More information about the CIC can be found on its website.
