Brock University: Innovative conference to connect young people with sustainable resource development industry
Brock is set to host an innovative forum on sustainable resource development aimed at engaging and inspiring the next generation of young people entering the world of agriculture, mining, water and forestry. The forum will also have panels on mentoring and on identifying and securing careers in sustainable resource development.
Held Oct. 3 to 7, the free, virtual LIAMforum will see more than 100 thought-leaders and experts from across the globe gather to share information and research findings on some of the most significant sustainability issues facing the world today.
Speakers include Nobel Laureate Carlos Nobre, one of Brazil’s top climate scientists, and several Brock faculty members: interim President and Vice-Chancellor Lynn Wells; Math and Science Dean Ejaz Ahmed; Liette Vasseur, the UNESCO Chair on Community Sustainability: From Local to Global; Julia Baird, Associate Professor of Geography and Tourism; Professor Emeritus of Chemistry Ian Brindle; Earth Sciences Chair Frank Fueten; and Geography and Tourism Studies Chair Michael Pisaric.
Remarks will also be delivered by Jonathan Wilkinson, Canada’s Minister of Natural Resources, and Ontario’s Minister of Mines, George Pirie.
The five-day conference will focus on four specific themes: conceptualizing sustainable resource development, breaking the silos and working together for a common good, empowering the next generation, and teaching sustainable resource development.
The inspiration for the conference comes from Liam Jacob Zisman, who thrived as a Brock student, but whose life was cut short early this year during his first year in Environmental Geoscience. The Northern Miner recently ran a story on Liam, who interned there over several summers.
Liam’s father, Raziel Zisman, describes the LIAMforum as “an opportunity to showcase to Liam’s peers the many exciting and meaningful values-driven careers in the sustainability space, in industry, academia and government, and to develop their network in the sector.”
The event comes during the UNESCO International Year of Basic Sciences for Sustainable Development, which recognizes that basic sciences are vital to attain sustainable development and to improve the quality of life for people all over the world. Brock — which has strong programs in Earth Sciences and faculty with expertise in a wide range of sustainable resource development issues — is one of the only Canadian universities located in a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve.