Approaching Tough Topics: Empowering Youth for Climate Action
Canada
Discussing an overwhelming topic like climate change can bring out many emotions. How can we ensure that conversations about climate change include empowering youth and contributing to climate action in their communities? Join us to learn more about effective strategies for initiating meaningful discussions about climate change with youth through outreach activities in the classroom and beyond.
This event will include AI-generated closed captions (English only).
If you cannot make it to a live session, feel free to register and you will be sent a link to the recording afterwards.
Explore our panelists:
Dr. Ellen Field
Ellen is an Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Education at Lakehead University. Her research interests are in policy and practice of climate change education in the Canadian K-12 system. Dr. Field has a strong background in survey development and implementation, educational tool development and stakeholder engagement. Ellen teaches Environmental Education (B.Ed) and Climate Change Education (M.Ed) in the Faculty of Education, and has engaged hundreds of teachers in professional development workshops in the last several years. Ellen is an Associate Editor of the Canadian Journal of Environmental Education and co-chair of the Canadian Regional Hub of Monitoring and Evaluation of Climate Change Education (MECCE). Ellen is also a climate activist and a mom.
Maria Vamvalis
Maria Vamvalis resides on Dish With One Spoon Treaty Territory, a treaty she works to revive as part of her responsibilities to this place. She is a Ph.D. candidate at OISE, University of Toronto where she researches climate justice pedagogies for well-being. Maria is an experienced educator, having taught in the Toronto public school system for a decade. She has also worked with many not-for-profit and social change organizations as a researcher, facilitator and consultant focusing on transformative approaches and pedagogies. She currently teaches climate justice educational approaches in the Master of Teaching Program at OISE and serves on the University of Toronto President's Advisory Committee on Sustainability Pedagogies and the Climate Psychology Alliance of North America's Education Subcommittee. Additionally, Maria writes, speaks and facilitates workshops about transformative education in a climate crisis.
Haley Guest (she/her) - Manager, Education & Engagement, Clean Foundation
Haley is a settler educator living and working in Mi’kma’ki. She has an undergraduate degree in Environmental Science and a Masters in Environmental Education and Communication. She has worked in academic research, interpretive education, and nature centres, and she feels grateful to now work as Education Manager at the Clean Foundation. Clean offers free, curriculum-aligned environmental education programs for youth as well as teachers, and supports youth to undertake climate actions in their own lives and communities.
Aira Fusilero Villanueva
Aira is a student at the University of Winnipeg and teacher candidate. Aira is also the founder of Winnipeg Mushroom Hunters and E-Waste Manitoba, where she successfully coordinates e-waste recycling campaigns and events in Manitoba. She brings an important perspective as a young person with a passion for climate action in her community.