‘Leave no one behind’ is the central, transformative promise of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), recognising that inequities continue to undermine the potential of individuals and of humanity as a whole. Universities around the world both reflect – and can exacerbate – these wider inequities, but they also have a major role to play in closing these gaps, both on campus and beyond.
This symposium is a chance to share experiences, ideas, and debate around how universities are tackling inequity, the distinct and shared challenges they face, and how international collaboration can support their efforts.
Hosted in partnership with York University, the programme will bring universities together to discuss topics of common relevance, such as access and inclusion, decolonisation of higher education, social impact and highlight the important role higher education plays in addressing global challenges.
Honourable vice-chancellors, deputies and pro-vice chancellors, academics and higher education industry experts are invited to come together and share best practice, establish partnerships, and discuss issues crucial to the evolution of higher education across the Commonwealth.
The ACU Canada Symposium is an in-person event only.
ACU cannot provide sponsorship funding towards cost of Symposium attendance or for travel or accommodation costs.
Please note - registration has now closed.
Programme
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9:00 - 9:30 |
Registration opens to all delegates (coffee / networking) |
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9:50 – 10:00 |
Opening remarks and Land Acknowledgement Statement by Dr Rhonda Lenton (York University President and ACU Council Member) |
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10:00 – 10:30 |
Keynote address |
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10:30 - 10:45 |
Coffee break |
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10:45 - 11:45 |
Panel 1: From rhetoric to reality: universities’ role in addressing systemic inequities How can universities help to overcome deep-rooted structural inequities in wider society? Chair: Dr Joanna Newman (Secretary General and Chief Executive, The Association of Commonwealth Universities) Panellists: |
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11:45 – 13:00 |
Lunch |
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13:00 - 13:45 |
Fireside Chat: Opportunities for international collaboration in higher education to promote more equal universities and societies International collaboration in higher education is key to meeting all 17 SDGs, but how can it help address inequity in particular? Is ‘inclusion’ just an issue for individual institutions or does it have an international element? Chair: Professor Cheryl de la Rey (Vice-Chancellor, University of Canterbury, New Zealand and ACU Chair of Council) In conversation with: Dr Rhonda Lenton |
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13:45 – 14:00 |
Coffee break |
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14:00 – 15:00 |
Panel 2: Promoting equity in international partnerships and research Chair: Dr David Phipps (Assistant Vice-President, Research Strategy & Impact, York University; Director, Research Impact Canada; ACU Supporting Research Community Chair) Panellists: |
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15:00 - 15:10 |
Closing Remarks: Dr Joanna Newman |
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15:10 - 15:30 |
Comfort break |
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15:45 - 16:45 |
Optional tour of campus / optional self-guided tour |
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15.30 - 17.00 |
Closed session: ACU Canada Advisory Committee |
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17.15 - 18.30 |
Evening reception hosted by York University |
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Opening: Dr Rhonda Lenton Remarks: The Hon Julie Bishop (Chancellor, Australian National University and former Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs) Closing: Dr Joanna Newman |
