Social Justice

It’s been a week of high-profile appearances by senior BC politicians at the Cullen Commission that’s looking into money laundering in the province. We hear from Professor Gerald Baier (CSDI Acting Director; Political Science) on the proceedings.

New research from Professor Nadja Kunz (SPPGA; NBK Institute of Mining Engineering) and others identifies how EIAs, tools meant to assess and mitigate negative socio-environmental outcomes, can be utilized in ways that enable them, such as in the case with desalinization in Chile.

Professor Sheryl Lightfoot (SPPGA, Political Science) analyzes Canada’s adoption of the UN Declaration of Indigenous Rights, and argues that reconciliation efforts should not be left in the hands of the courts.

What can research collaboration mean in settings of incommensurable inequality? Lead author Omer Aijazi, (former Liu Scholar), Professor Sara Shneiderman (SPPGA & UBC Anthropology) and other researchers explore the question of power dynamics and inequities.

Professor Timothy Cheek (SPPGA; UBC Department of History) was interviewed on a motion by Conservatives calling on Canada to formally declare crimes against Uyghur Muslims in China a genocide.

SPPGA Professor Paul Evans states that given the country’s history, Canada would be on firmer ground “to attract others to this cause if we labelled Chinese actions as ‘cultural genocide'”.

For Black History Month, Professor Rashid Sumaila (SPPGA & UBC Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries) emphasizes how important it is for us to work together to address systemic racism. Find out more about UBC’s commitment to anti-racism and acknowledgement of the many achievements and struggles of Black people.

Professor Philippe Le Billon (SPPGA; UBC Geography), David Boyd (SPPGA; IRES) and others investigate the losses and risks faced by Indigenous and local communities who are involved in biodiversity conservation.

An upcoming book release by Dr. Pitman Potter (Director Emeritus of UBC Institute of Asian Research; Peter A. Allard School of Law Professor) examines human rights & the implications of internationalizing PRC human rights policy & practice, along with potential policy responses. Pre-order here.

MPPGA student David Markwei crafted a deeply personal photo essay for CBC on “generational consciousness and the experiences of Black millennials living in British Columbia”. His story aims to highlight Black voices and stories that have traditionally been marginalized in the media industry.

Submit by August 15 and win great prizes! Calling all youth creators across Canada – we invite you to make a short 30–180 second film on the theme of belonging, diversity, resisting injustice and racism, or another topic.

In the face of disregard of the human rights for Black people and the inherent violence against them, MPPGA alumni Eseohe Ojo says that the current protests are no surprise. Read more at OpenGlobalRights.

Chatham House speaks to SPPGA Associate Professor Erin Baines and UBC alumna Camile Oliveira on the social status of children born as the result of ‘forced marriage’ during the Ugandan civil war of the 1990s and early 2000s, and attempts by some of the fathers to assume responsibility for their care and well-being.

Hundreds of climate strikers took to the streets in Victoria on Friday to demand climate action. David Boyd (SPPGA Associate Professor; IRES Associate Professor; U.N. special rapporteur on human rights and the environment) calls this a chance to push politicians to accelerate the shift towards a clean future.

In an interview with Global News, SPPGA Professor George Hoberg Professor George Hoberg speaks about the Global Climate Strike and the unprecedented energy and optimism that’s been exhibited.

In her article for The Conversation, SPPGA Professor Sheryl Lightfoot asserts that much still needs to be done to redress past injustices against the Indigenous community.

“Ships and corporations have legal standing,” declares a Mother Jones article. Should ecosystems be entitled to the same? Professor David Boyd believes they should: “It’s just a matter of determining what’s important to us.”

Every minute of every day, a young child dies of illness caused by air pollution. Read more on actions that we can take to protect what UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and the Environment David Boyd calls our human right to clean air.

In a thought-provoking piece for the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, Professor Timothy Cheek writes that the 30th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square Incident is a reminder and invitation for us to review the 30 years of our relations with China.