Second Annual Human Security Conference

Global Resources and Social Struggle
Action and Alternatives for the 21st Century

Art Gallery II
Cape Breton University
March 10, 2007

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Opening Remarks (8:45am - 9:00am)

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Panel One (9:00am - 10:30am)

Resource Control: Social Activism and the Corporate Agenda

The Displacement of Tabaco: A Case Study of Corporate Abuse - Suzanne MacNeil, Political Science Major, Cape Breton University

Corporate Social Irresponsibility and the Limits of Civil Regulation - Terry Gibbs, Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science, Cape Breton University

Democracy and Resource Sovereignty in Bolivia: The Role of Social Movements - Alejandrina Ibañez, Director, CISTEM, Bolivia

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Panel Two (11:00am - 12:30pm)

The Oil Factor: Resource Security and Self-Determination

From NAFTA to Atlantica: Undermining Canada’s Energy Sovereignty - Garry Leech, Independent Journalist and Lecturer, Department of Political Science, Cape Breton University

The Resource Curse: Communities, Corporations and Oil in Nigeria - Emeka Duruigbo, Assistant Professor, Thurgood Marshall School of Law, Texas Southern University

The Venezuelan Alternative: Wealth Redistribution and Participatory Democracy - Janicelee MacNeil, Political Science Major, Cape Breton University

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Lunch (12:30pm - 2:00pm)

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Panel Three (2:00pm - 3:30pm)

Addressing Over-Consumption: In Search of Sustainability

Factory Farming: Intersections of Oppression - Tracey Smith-Harris, Assistant Professor, Department of Anthropology & Sociology, Cape Breton University

Blue Gold: A Gift in Peril - The ABC’s of Water Privatization - Sister Ellen Donovan, Sisters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul

Outside the Orthodox Box: Alternative Approaches to Resource Security - Melissa Mercer, Political Science Major, Cape Breton University

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Speaker Bios:

Suzanne MacNeil is a Political Science major with a particular interest in social justice issues and Latin America. In addition to her Latin American solidarity work, she is interim editor of Colombia Journal (www.colombiajournal.org).

Terry Gibbs is an assistant professor in the Department of Political Science and director of the Centre for International Studies at Cape Breton University. Her recent research explores the revolutionary project in Venezuela and women’s roles in revolutionary movements in Latin America.

Alejandrina Ibañez is a long time social activist, CUSO partner and director of CISTEM, a Bolivian social justice group that works to empower the politically and socially excluded in Bolivia.

Garry Leech is an independent journalist and author of Crude Interventions: The United States, Oil and the New World Disorder (Zed Books, 2006). He also teaches international politics at Cape Breton University.

Emeka Duruigbo is assistant professor at Texas Southern University in the Thurgood Mashall School of Law. His recent research examines multinational oil companies, international law and peoples’ ownership of natural resources.

Janicelee MacNeil is a fourth year Political Science honours student at Cape Breton University with a concentration in international relations. She is an active volunteer with the Centre for International Studies.

Tracey Smith-Harris is an assistant professor in the Department of Anthropology & Sociology at Cape Breton University. Her recent research explores animal shelters, humane education initiatives and animal rescue volunteers.

Sister Ellen Donovan is a member of the Sisters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul. An educator, musician and healing arts therapist, Ellen is very involved in the Global Concerns Resource Committee of her congregation. She has co-chaired workshops on the Earth Charter, Water Issues and the Trafficking of Women and Children.

Melissa Mercer is a fourth year Political Science Student at Cape Breton University focusing on international relations. She is president of the Political Science Society and is active on numerous committees on campus. She intends to pursue a Masters in International Relations upon completion of her degree.

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The Conference is open to the public and admission is free: Conference Registration

For more information, please contact Terry Gibbs at (902) 563-1274 or terry_gibbs@cbu.ca

Sponsored by the Centre for International Studies