Cities have been described as “humanity’s greatest achievement.” It is beyond question that cities are responsible for the bulk of the world’s worries and are the fount of solutions to the world’s great challenges. Cities represent the lion’s share of wealth, population, power, infrastructure, research, technology, crime, greenhouse gas emissions, corruption and scandal alike. They are variously seen as a misrepresentation and as a reason for optimism for the future, depending on one’s mood and outlook. What is clear, however, is that cities matter, greatly, to our collective future.
This recognition of the significance of cities and their management to the future of humanity is markedly different from our worldview of even fifty years ago. How can people in British Columbia come to terms with what it means to face a significantly urban future? In this lunchtime dialogue, we will tackle this question from the perspective of the growing group of people aiming to equip themselves with the skills and education to lead the charge in this new urban reckoning. What would our education system look like if we take the urban challenge seriously, with both its opportunities and its constraints?
ULI BC, along with SFU
Urban Studies in the
Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, and the Morris J. Wosk Centre for Dialogue are pleased to offer a lunchtime dialogue with
Honorable Rob Fleming, Minister of Education on the question of what urban education means today in BC. Moderated by Adjunct Professor of Urban Studies
Ken Cameron, we will hear from learners and teachers from highschool to graduate school and beyond, as well as from the Minister of Education, about what urban education adds up to – and where its potential contribution lies. All members of the public are invited to attend.
All members of the public are invited to join us for this engaging dialogue on what "understanding city building" means to the leaders of tomorrow.
Agenda:
11:00am Registration Opens & Standing Buffet Lunch
11:45am Welcome Remarks
12:00pm Minister of Education
12:20pm Moderated Discussion with Minister of Education and Panel
1:30pm Conclusion