Sparking
Connections
Sparking Connections Master Calendar
Saturday, November 7
Opening
9am PST / 10am MST / 11am CST / 12pm EST / 1pm AST / 1:30pm NST
45 Minutes
Welcome, land acknowledgements, setting the space
Pam Palmater Keynote Address
10am PST / 11am MST / 12pm CST / 1pm EST / 2pm AST / 2:30pm NST
1 hour
A keynote from Pam Palmater which centers what it means to do human
rights work on stolen, Indigenous lands.
The general public can live stream Dr. Pam Palmater's keynote here.
Digital Activism
11:30am PST / 12:30pm MST / 1:30pm CST / 2:30pm EST / 3:30pm AST / 4pm NST
1.5 hours
Connect with fellow activists to learn about and share innovative
digital activism strategies.
Sunday, November 8
Book Club Discussion w Farzana Doctor
9am PST / 10ampm MST / 11am CST / 12pm EST / 1pm AST / 1:30pm NST
1.5 hours
A participatory discussion between participants and author Farzana Doctor on her book "Seven".
Monday, November 9
Examining Amnesty's Work Through Indigenous Lenses
3pm PST / 4pm MST / 5pm CST / 6pm EST / 7pm AST / 7:30pm NST
1.5 hours
Join Connie Greyeyes and Nuskmata Mack for a panel discussion
that unpacks Indigenous perspectives on Amnesty's diverse pieces of human rights work.
Tuesday, November 10
Kanata: Our Home & Native Land,
Indigenous Storytelling Workshop w Kim Wheatley
5pm PST / 6pm MST / 7pm CST / 8pm EST / 9pm AST / 9:30pm NST
1.5 hours
Storytelling is a traditional way of sharing knowledge and experiences
with our peers. Many communities sit around the fire and share their
stories about world creation, their own history, and how to build a healthy
and safe relationship with nature and other people. With that in mind,
you are invited to a virtual fire pit for "Kanata: Our Home & Native Land",
an evening with Kim Wheatley, Anishinaabe Ojibway Grandmother from
Shawanaga First Nation Reserve, Ontario. The evening will culminate
in an action to support Indigenous rights
Wednesday, November 11
The Evolution of Amnesty's Mandate-
From Prisoners of Conscience (1961) to Economic Justice (2021)
4pm PST / 5pm MST / 6pm CST / 7pm EST / 8pm AST / 8:30pm NST
1.5 hours
Follow the 60-year journey of Amnesty International’s work connecting human
rights violations, which all started with a single letter on behalf of an individual
imprisoned for supporting freedom. This session will present the key changes
made to Amnesty’s work through each of the 6 decades of our existence.
As we walk through the history, we will listen to some interesting stories
from people who were directly involved in those decisions.
Thursday, November 12
Energy Transition - The Ethical Battery Initiative
5pm PST / 6pm MST / 7pm CST / 8pm EST / 9pm AST / 9:30pm NST
1.5 hours
Amnesty International is advocating for human rights to be essential
within an “energy transition” to a cleaner world economy. As one step
in that transition, Amnesty has partnered with Greenpeace to challenge
industry leaders to make the world’s first “ethical battery” – a
rechargeable battery that is mined, manufactured, designed,
reused, and recovered without human rights abuses or
environmental damage.
This workshop will focus on the human rights issues regarding
energy transition, specifically regarding ethical batteries and the
mining of two key minerals (cobalt and lithium). The workshop will
encourage participants to provide feedback and examine their own
impact on energy usage by having a look at their use of batteries in the home.
If you have time prior to this session, please have a look at this following
"Ethical Battery Personal Audit". This worksheet is for personal learning
and participants won't be expected to share results, but completing this
checklist may enhance quality of discussion and participation in the workshop.
Friday, November 13
Coffee House w Danny Ramadan
5pm PST / 6pm MST / 7pm CST / 8pm EST / 9pm AST / 9:30pm NST
2 hours
Share space with fellow Amnesty Canada grassroots activists for a night
of community, connection, and entertainment. Before member performances
start we will be joined for a reading by Syrian-Canadian author,
public speaker, and LGBTQ-refugee activist, Danny Ramadan.
Saturday, November 14
Husoni Raymond, Black Lives Matter Keynote Address
10am PST / 11am MST / 12pm CST / 1pm EST / 2pm AST / 2:30pm NST
1 hour
Co-founder of the Black Lives Matter movement in Fredericton, NB, Husoni Raymond, will speak on the Black Lives Matter movement, Black liberation, and what this means for Amnesty's evolving human rights work.
The general public can live stream Husoni Raymond's keynote speech here.
Indigenizing Human Rights
1:30pm PST / 2:30pm MST / 3:30pm CST / 4:30pm EST / 5:30pm AST / 6pm NST
1.5 hours
A thoughtful evening with Harlan Pruden exploring Indigenous ways of being
and knowing in human rights work.
Sunday, November 15
Strategic Planning:
Members, Activists, The Plan, The Board …
How Do We Make It All Work Well Together
9am PST / 10am MST / 11am CST / 12pm EST / 1pm AST / 1:30pm NST
1.75 hours
Connect with fellow grassroots activists in Amnesty International Canada to envision
Amnesty's near future. In this session, we want to hear from you about three topics:
1. How do member leaders/activists envision their role in AI Canada?
2. What do member leaders/activists need in a “national strategy/plan”?
3. When, How and on What Subjects should the Board communicate and consult with members?
Please join us for a brainstorming session that will help move us all forward together.
Critical Voices Under Threat in Saudi Arabia
11am PST / 12pm MST / 1pm CST / 2pm EST / 3pm AST / 3:30pm NST
1.5 hours
Amnesty International's Action Network on Women's Human Rights (ANWHR)
is hosting a conversation with Saudi women human rights defender
Hala al-Dosari about critical voices under threat in Saudi Arabia and
actions we can take in the lead-up to the Saudi-hosted G20 Leaders’
Summit in late November to promote human rights in the kingdom.