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TOPICS
A. GENERAL TOPIC AREAS:
B. Education
"Education: The World's Greatest Force For Good". - Mr. Lewis, using the themes of the conference, will explore the way in which education, throughout the world, transforms the lives children lead, and is perhaps the greatest, unacknowledged instrument we have for dramatic social change.“Global Issues - Local Impact” - Universities are, first and foremost, centres of academic excellence and academic inquiry. But if they are to be relevant to the modern world, they must understand the nature of community, especially the community of which they are a part, and understand, increasingly, that they have obligations to the wider world as well. Mr. Lewis will explore both those themes, drawing on personal experience to make his case.
"Education at the crossroads: Diversity as the touchstone". Mr. Lewis will argue that the nature of today’s society requires that diversity be seen as the centrepiece of the educational experience. Anything less than that, and learning is fatally flawed.
C. Healthcare
"Public Health is everywhere under siege” - Globalization has succeeded in compromising the social sectors in general, and health in particular. Nor is the situation confined to industrial countries alone; the developing world is hurting, and hurting badly. If the principles of public health are to be rescued in this world, radical changes will be required."Global Health: Hope or Deterioration?" Mr. Lewis will address the growing disparity in the standard of health between the developed and developing countries. He will take a hard look at the emergence and re-emergence of communicable diseases, the struggle for pharmaceuticals at low cost, the absence of health professionals, the question of resources, and the overall efforts of impoverished societies to reach the admirable levels of health which characterize Canada and the United States.
"The Millennium Development Goals, International Advocacy, and the Role of the Physician." The entire international development agenda is today being driven by the MDGs (Millennium Development Goals), aiming for the year 2015. Every Goal is health-related. If we are to reach them, therefore, the doctors of the world --- certainly the doctors of Canada --- must do advocacy on an international level. Can that challenge be met? Is it realistic?
“Scientists as Activists.” What is desperately needed in the response to AIDS is unrelenting and informed voices of advocacy. Mr. Lewis will call upon the scientific community to use both their science and their voices to respond to the AIDS pandemic.
D. Globalization
“When the bottom line isn't enough" - Stephen Lewis kicks off this event with a fresh perspective on global issues and a frontal challenge to the myths of globalization. Drawing upon his extensive political and international experience, Mr. Lewis will explore the role of leadership in promoting a different set of economic and social priorities for the 21st century.E. Philanthropy
"What is the Role of Foundations when Governments Fail?" -- With Governments cutting back on their commitments to the social sectors in the developed world, and Governments struggling so desperately in much of the developing world, are Foundations expected to fill the gap? Are they under any obligation to do so? What financial imperatives have changed in this so-called time of globalization? Mr. Lewis will address these questions in terms at once unequivocal and uncompromising.As Governments opt out of international obligations, as UN agencies face funding shortfalls, the role of philanthropy in addressing global problems becomes evermore vital. Commitment to social justice; artful arguments; recognition of the roles of the public and private sectors and the instinctive compassion of individuals ... all of these things come together for the successful fund-raiser.
F. Human Resources /Human Development
"Human Development, Career Development and Training: Foundations for a Better World".Mr. Lewis will draw on his careers in politics, diplomacy and multilateralism to demonstrate the principle and practice of self-development. He will attempt to demonstrate that the culture of the work-place is every bit as important to self-development as the capacity of individuals. Mr. Lewis takes a somewhat heretical view, believing that professional development, particularly the qualities of innovation and leadership, are influenced most profoundly by the working environment, and not by numbers of courses taken or training received. The former is fundamental; the latter is peripheral.
G. Community-Building
“The world is falling apart: what role civil society?” - Mr. Lewis will draw upon his extensive international experience to illustrate the importance of an active civil society in creating a safer, more peaceful world.“The Power of Community: Creating Positive Environments" - Mr. Lewis will speak on the importance of community in the lives of children, focusing on leadership, accountability, health and education in both a national and international context. Mr. Lewis will examine the concept of peace as something far more fundamental than the absence of war, and in so doing will explore the application of the UN Millennium Development Goals. He will attempt to set everything in the broad context of human rights, and will argue that civil society has emerged as the fundamental social agent to secure those rights.
H. International issues/World Affairs
“Where in the World is the World Headed?” - Mr. Lewis will make a panoramic sweep of international affairs, concentrating, especially, on globalization, conflict, poverty, disease and the place of corporate social responsibility in all of it.I. Human Rights
"Human Rights Gone Wrong: A pattern of world indifference". Stephen Lewis will examine the problem from global and local perspectives, with an emphasis on social and economic rights.J. Gender Equality
Gender Equality: the single most important struggle on the planet The absence of equality is compromising, sabotaging, prejudicing, and damaging the lives of women around the world. We cannot continue to marginalize 52% of the world’s population and expect ever to embrace a degree of social justice and equality.K. Climate Change
In 1988, Stephen Lewis chaired the first international conference on Climate Change, which drafted the first comprehensive policy on global warming. Two decades have passed since the political leaders, ambassadors, scientists and environmental activists joined Stephen in declaring what remains one of the best, though starkest, pronouncements about global warming: “Humanity is conducting an unintended, uncontrolled, globally pervasive experiment whose ultimate consequences could be second only to a global nuclear war”. From his unique historical and global perspective, Stephen Lewis will talk about those consequences, focusing on the interconnection of health, social justice and poverty in the context of global climate change.
STEPHEN LEWIS
Veteran Canadian Diplomat
Stephen Lewis is a Professor in Global Health in the Faculty of Social Sciences at McMaster University. He is Chair of the board of the Stephen Lewis Foundation, which is dedicated to turning the tide of HIV/AIDS in Africa. And he is Co-Director of AIDS-Free World in the United States.
Stephen Lewis’ work with the United Nations spanned more than two decades. He was the UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for HIV/AIDS in Africa from June 2001 until the end of 2006. From 1995 to 1999, Mr. Lewis was Deputy Executive Director of UNICEF at the organization’s global headquarters in New York. From 1984 through 1988, Stephen Lewis was Canada’s Ambassador to the United Nations.
Mr. Lewis was an elected member of the Ontario Legislative Assembly from 1963 to 1978. In 1970, he became leader of the Ontario New Democratic Party, during which time he became leader of the Official Opposition.
Mr. Lewis is the author of the best-selling book, Race Against Time. He holds 30 honorary degrees from Canadian universities and is a Companion of the Order of Canada, Canada’s highest honour for lifetime achievement. He was awarded the Pearson Peace Medal in 2004 by the United Nations Association in Canada; the award celebrates outstanding achievement in the field of international service and understanding. In 2007, the Kingdom of Lesotho (a small mountainous country in Southern Africa) invested Mr. Lewis as Knight Commander of the Most Dignified Order of Moshoeshoe. The order is named for the founder of Lesotho; the knighthood is the country’s highest honour.
COMMENTS FROM AUDIENCES
"He enthralled his audience. The points he made about the socio-economic evolution were evocative, original and even somewhat disturbing."
Propane Gas Association of Canada
"A most meaningful and eloquent presentation."
The Michener Institute for Applied Health Sciences
"Thank you for fine co-operation and the extensive preparation you put into your excellent presentation."
Third Canadian Congress on Utilization and Quality Management
"Your presentation touched the hearts and minds of all registrants and was the subject of discussion throughout the symposium. We could not have found a more compelling and passionate speaker."
Association of Fundraising Professionals
"I've quickly reviewed the evaluations submitted by delegates following the conference, and the initial feedback from Stephen's keynote address is nothing short of remarkable, as was his talk. Our attendees were inspired, touched, and hopefully able to move through the rest of the conference thinking about how to make an impact in their communities, consistent with the conference theme of Inspiration, Integration, Impact."
Toronto District Health Council
"Please pass on to Mr. Lewis how delighted we were with his speech Wednesday night at our conference in Ottawa. I can't tell you how many people came up to me the following day to say how touched they were about what he shared with us and also how incredibly relevant to our work his remarks were. He was truly inspiring beyond our expectations. The added bonus is that he was also so very funny and witty and had us go through a wide range of emotions."
Public Works & Government Services Canada, Conflict Management Program
"I don't think you will be surprised to learn that Stephen Lewis's speech at Mount Allison was a tremendous success. It was an extremely powerful and affecting talk. The audience was moved and inspired. Stephen referred to several of our projects in such detail that it was clear that he had taken pains to become informed about Leadership Mount Allison. He grasped the essence of what these projects are trying to accomplish and communicated this to the audience. For students and faculty alike, this was extremely gratifying and encouraging."
Leadership Mount Allison, Mount Allison University
"What a powerful send off that was! I actually approach conventions with a slight apprehension these days. Too many people starting to see the sector as a good business opportunity. And, possibly worse, too many people talking about the need to be passionate, and not enough people BEING passionate. And even away from conventions there's a sense of the sector becoming too compliant and cosy.
Stephen was a terrific antidote to all of this! I loved his straight-talking, righteous anger, and was wowed by his masterclass in use of the English language.
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23rd International Fundraising Congress, Amsterdam
"I just wanted to touch base with you to let you know that the event with Stephen Lewis was an extraordinary success. He was amazing and I am still fielding compliments on his speech!"
Canadian Blood Services
"On behalf of the Aldwinckle Lecture Committee, and MacNeill Baptist Church, Hamilton, I want to express my deepest appreciation for Stephen's visit to us yesterday evening. The event was a resounding success, with a capacity audience who were excited about and attentive to Stephen's lecture. All to whom I have spoken were deeply moved by his presentation…. Stephen is the consummate gentleman in the best sense of the word, and his grace and charm impressed us all. The visit met and surpassed our greatest expectations and the Aldwinckle Lectureship has now established a standard and a direction which we shall continue into the future."
Aldwinckle Lecture
"The Friday keynote speech given by Stephen Lewis was one of those moments when your breath is taken away. He was inspiring and totally brilliant. The messages I have been receiving since then are all positive. How could they not be? This is a person who speaks from the heart and walks the walk. Honestly, it has been one of our most successful conferences to date."
Ontario Modern Language Teachers Association
