'FED Talks' at VIU Examine Global Food Movement

There will be ample food for thought during Vancouver Island University’s (VIU) International Development Week activities Feb. 2 through 5 – including a series of short presentations titled “FED Talks” (Food, Education and Development) that kick off the week.

“At VIU we’re celebrating International Development Week to raise awareness for the many opportunities that exist to practice global citizenship, and to learn about international development initiatives and trends,” said Dr. Graham Pike, Dean of International Education.

FED Talks involve special guest speakers making short presentations on the global food movement on Monday, Feb. 2 from 10 am to 6:15 pm in Building 355 Room 211. Topics will include re-indigenization of food sources around the world, Canada’s temporary foreign agriculture worker program, seed sovereignty, and the power of young farmers in the global food movement.

Another highlight of International Development week at VIU is an afternoon of presentations Tuesday, Feb 3 by trade and international business representatives from the federal and provincial governments. The presentations, which will be followed by a question and answer period, begin at 2:30 pm in the Royal Arbutus Room in Building 300.

International business and trade opportunities will be the topic, with special guests Clark M. Roberts, QC., BC’s Assistant Deputy Minister in International Business Development for the Ministry of International Trade, and Marilyn MacLean Denton, based in Victoria as Head of Office and Trade Commissioner for Foreign Affairs Trade and Development Canada.

MacLean Denton is Trade Commissioner for Vancouver Island, and also responsible for ocean industries and shipbuilding sectors in BC and the Yukon.

Before joining the Ministry of International Trade, Roberts practiced law internationally after opening the Beijing office of Canadian law firm Gowling Lafleur Henderson in 2010 to serve the energy, mining, financial services and clean technology sectors.

Also on Feb. 3, a slideshow and talk at 7 pm by veterinarian Dr. Nihal Pushpakumara will focus on wildlife conservation practices in Sri Lanka, particularly his experiences with elephants. This presentation will take place in Building 200 Room 203.

Two film events also embrace the theme of “Nourishing the World”. On Wednesday, Feb. 4, the film Grow Your Own will be shown in Building 200, Room 203 starting at 1:30 pm. On Thursday, Feb. 5, the Worldbridger Film Series at VIU presents Haute Cuisine, beginning at 7 pm in Building 356 Room 109.

All events are free and open to the public. To learn more, visit www2.viu.ca/internationalization/IDW.asp.

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Media Contact: 

Shari Bishop Bowes, Communications Officer, Vancouver Island University

P:250.740.6443  C: 250.618.1535 E: Communications@viu.ca