Over the past decade, the Community Movements Conference has become a cornerstone at Trent and in the broader Peterborough community. International Development Studies students and faculty have been working tirelessly to ensure that this year’s conference—the 11th annual—continues a tradition of engaging students, educators and community members in critical thought surrounding international development. Sadleir House is set to host the Community Movements Conference on Feb. 2nd and 3rd.

The title of this year’s conference is Populist Responses to Globalization at Home and Abroad—a topic that permeates many aspects of contemporary society. From the rise of Donald Trump to the Brexit fiasco, this issue is one that directly and indirectly impacts not only the news stories that leave us with more questions than answers, but also the contents of our everyday lives.

Although the event is presented primarily by members of the Student Association for International Development (SAID) and other IDS students, it is important to recognize that it is not just IDS students who have something to gain by attending. International Development is an extremely interdisciplinary field and topics of discussion will be of interest to students in a multitude of different programs. The conference strives to better people’s understanding of the events unfolding across the globe. Everyone has something to gain by attending.

And the list of individuals and organizations presenting is truly indicative of the broad range of topics encompassed by development. The conference will feature presentations by organizations such as Amnesty International and the National Farmers Union, as well as scholars from across Canada. One of the keynote speakers, Dr. Meg Luxton from York University, studies feminist economics and will be speaking on the ways in which people can mobilize in their opposition to neoliberal globalization.

The other keynote speaker is Dr. Stephanie Kerr of Carleton University who will be speaking on “how our identities, and our understandings of the world and our place in it, are constructed.” Additional speakers Johnathon Langdon from St. Francis Xavier University in Nova Scotia, and Trent’s very own Barış Karaağaç and Philip Giurlando.

Not only will the Community Movements Conference satisfy your appetite for knowledge and understanding, but it will also satisfy your literal appetite. Over the course of the two-day event, those who attend will enjoy four meals catered by Food Not Bombs and Latin Express.

Tickets are $15 and provide attendants with access to as much or as little of the conference they wish to experience. You can buy your tickets in the TCSA office, as well in the Student Centre and Otonabee College on alternating days throughout the week leading up to the conference.

Students buying tickets in the TCSA office can do so using debit, credit, apple pay and student card. Updates on the details of this event can be found on its Facebook page by searching Trent Community Movements Conference.