Saturday, June 2, 2018
Save $17 (excludes theatre performances)
Solidarity not Charity: Building a Global Grandmothers’ Movement to End AIDS in Africa
10:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Ilana Landsberg-Lewis, Ida Nambeya Mukuka, and Jean Way
LIB 072 Lecture Theatre, Library Building, Ryerson University, 350 Victoria Street
FREE EVENT (RSVP required)
Over a decade ago, the Stephen Lewis Foundation (SLF) presented the Grandmothers to Grandmothers campaign which was previewed at the 50+ Festival. Since then, this campaign has grown into a global movement. SLF Executive Director, Ilana Landsberg-Lewis will host a candid, thought-provoking conversation with HIV/AIDS activist, Ida Nambeya-Mukuka and organizer, Jean Way about solidarity, sisterhood, and the ongoing impact of the grandmother’s movement on the lives of African and Canadian grandmothers alike. This conversation is inspired by the bestselling new book, Powered by Love: A Grandmothers’ Movement to End AIDS in Africa, which beautifully interweaves the remarkable stories of African grandmothers who stepped in to care for their orphaned grandchildren in the wake of the AIDS pandemic. Further, the stories of Canadian grandmothers who rallied to build a social movement to support themselves based on the principles of solidarity, and not charity, are shared.
Ilana Landsberg-Lewis is the co-author of Powered by Love and Co-Founder and Executive Director of the Stephen Lewis Foundation since 2003, when should founded it with her father. She has spent her entire adult life engaged in the struggle for the rights of women and girls. From her early days as a human rights lawyer to her years at UNIFEM, Ilana has worked with women’s groups around the world and has learned that no amount of so-called expertise can replace that of women at the frontlines of their own struggle for justice. She is deeply honoured and grateful to learn from the indomitable grandmothers of this remarkable movement.
Ida Nambeya is the Senior Advisor to the Stephen Lewis Foundation’s (SLF) Grandmothers to Grandmothers Campaign, working with African and Canadian grandmothers alike to strengthen the bonds of solidarity. She is a passionate HIV activist and gifted counsellor based in Lusaka, Zambia. For nine years, Ida was one of the SLF’s trusted field representatives, using her extensive knowledge and experience to help build the capacity of grassroots AIDS organizations throughout sub-Saharan Africa.
Jean Way is a member of the Grandmothers to Grandmothers Campaign. She has been a passionate member and leader in the campaign for over 10 years. Prior to retirement, she taught kindergarten children to adults for 35 years. She was also a resource teacher, school principal, and worked in the Teacher Education Program at Simon Fraser University. With a friend, Jean started the Richmond Gogos grandmothers group in 2008. Since then, Jean has served as a group chair, a delegate at the 2010 Swaziland Grandmothers Gathering, and a regional co-chair for the Greater Vancouver Gogos.
What If Everything We Know is Wrong?
1:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m.
Bob McDonald
LIB 072 Lecture Theatre, Library Building, Ryerson University, 350 Victoria Street
$25 online and $30 at the door
Throughout history, we have been wrong about the nature of the world around us. It took a lot of science to figure out that we actually live on a ball that is spinning through an ever expanding universe. But even today, 95% of our universe is still mysterious. What if we’re also wrong about who’s responsible for significant breakthroughs? Science is still the best tool for finding the truth, but it’s not young scientists who lead the way to new ideas. Older adults offer an untapped value. They have a key role to play in science discoveries, by lending their experience and perspective of time to those who will be the discoverers in the future.
Bob McDonald is one of Canada’s best-known science journalists, bringing science to the public for more than 40 years. In addition to hosting Quirks & Quarks, the award-winning science program that is heard by 500,000 people each week, McDonald is also science correspondent for CBC TV’s The National and host and writer of the children’s series Head’s Up. The host and writer of numerous television documentaries and more than 100 educational videos in Canada and the United States, Bob has also authored four bestselling science books, and contributed to numerous textbooks, magazines, and newspapers, including The Globe and Mail. His latest book is Canadian Space Walkers: Hadfield, MacLean and Williams Remember the Ultimate High Adventure. An Officer of the Order of Canada and a recipient of the Queen’s Jubilee Medal, Bob has been honoured for his outstanding contribution to the promotion of science with the Michael Smith Award from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council; the Sir Sanford Fleming Medal from the Royal Canadian Institute, and the McNeil Medal from The Royal Society of Canada. He also won a 2008 Gemini Award for Best Host in a Pre-School, Children’s or Youth Program or Series. In 2015, asteroid 332324 was officially named Bob Mcdonald in his honour by the International Astronomical Union. He holds eleven honorary doctorates from Canadian universities.
Theatre of Our Times
2:00 p.m.–4:30 p.m.
Aki Studios, Daniels Spectrum, 585 Dundas Street East
$18 online and $20 at the door
Theatre of Our Times showcases three short works about the way we navigate life’s challenges and absurdities written, performed, and directed by the Estelle Craig Act II STUDIO. In Aurora, by Dvora Levinson, you’ll witness the unfolding of an unanticipated journey of self-discovery of two older women – strangers who meet following the loss of their husbands. We bring back Stan Channing’s 2003 popular absurd comedy, Will She Push the Button?!, with added music and lyrics. As a special treat, enjoy the rarely seen and absorbing world of masked characters as they pursue their lives and loves in a 21st Century Masquerade.
Engineering Aging
3:00 p.m.–4:30 p.m.
Dr. Alexandra Fiocco, Patricia Quinn, Dr. Kristine Goulet, and Dalia Hanna
LIB 072 Lecture Theatre, Library Building, Ryerson University, 350 Victoria Street
$17 online and $20 at the door
Engineering Aging showcases the many ways in which technology is changing the aging process from adaptive clothing that is functional and fashionable, to drones that track wandering people with dementia, to the possibilities of travel tourism through virtual reality.
Algorithms for Finding Lost and Wandering People with Dementia Using Drones
Observe how the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) can be used for locating wandering persons whose behaviour resembles the behaviour of a patient with dementia.
Look Good Feel Better: Adaptive Clothing Redefined
Monarch Collection believes that functional clothes can and must also be fashionable. The body is better served with comfortable clothing that is easy to put on. Equally important, the mind and mood can be uplifted with fashion and colour, because when you look good, you feel good!
An Exploration of Virtual Reality for Older Adults
Learn about the emerging field of virtual reality, how it may be used as a tool and as a benefit to keeping older adults engaged in exploration and involved in society.
Dr. Alexandra Fiocco is Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology and Director of the Stress and Healthy Aging Research Lab at Ryerson University. Dr. Fiocco conducts research on the biological and psychosocial predictors of cognitive health and wellbeing that occurs later in life, and investigates strategies that can help maintain the wellbeing of older adults. In 2017, Alexandra partnered with Richard Lachman (Professor of Digital Media at Ryerson University), to undertake a collaborative virtual reality (VR) project aimed at improving the lives of the elderly by offering virtual travel. Her current collaboration is with the Canadian Consortium on Neurodegeneration and Aging examining how diet and exercise may enhance brain function and biological indicators of health among older adults.
Patricia Quinn is CEO, Monarch Collection Inc. She left her career at IBM to launch a communications and marketing company. Through her passion for effective and compelling communication, she built an organization that Robert Half International and its consulting division, Protiviti, subsequently acquired. Patricia stayed on as a Managing Director. She partnered with her friend, Kristine Goulet, to start Monarch Collection, an innovative dressing solution for people unable to dress themselves.
Dr. Kristine Coulet is President, Monarch Collection Inc. She left a career at IBM to respond to her desire to help people. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from Palmer College of Chiropractic, earning her Doctor of Chiropractic degree and then built a thriving practice serving her community. Today, Kristine is passionately focused on Monarch’s mission of supporting care recipients and caregivers. Kristine experienced the role of caregiver while tending to her mother who lived with Alzheimer’s disease over a period of five years in various long-term care homes. Kristine witnessed firsthand the challenges associated with dressing a loved one whose physical and cognitive abilities were declining. Determined to find a better solution, she envisioned an easier to use, fashion-conscious adaptive clothing line; one that would provide comfort and dignity to her mother, and one that would also honour her mother’s love of fashion.
Dalia Hanna is a PhD Student in the Department of Computer Science at Ryerson University. Her research interest is in the search and rescue operations and the use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) in locating lost people with mental health issues. Dalia is also the Program Director of Community Services Programs at The Chang School of Continuing Education at Ryerson University. She oversees the program development and management of programs in community health, safety, and well-being. Dalia has a B.Sc. in Engineering, an M.Sc. in Instructional Design and Technology with a specialization in Online Learning, and she is also a project management professional.
Bandstand Boogie: Celebrating a Decade of the 50+ Festival
5:30 p.m.–8:00 p.m.
Featuring the Hurricanes Dance Band
Arts & Letters Club, 14 Elm Street
$25 online and $30 at the door
The 50+ Festival celebrates the continuing contribution of the older adult to culture, society, and life itself, and this year marks a decade of our efforts. Join us as we celebrate the 50+ Festival turning 10! Enjoy a cocktail and d’oeuvres reception, indulge in delicious cake, and swing to the sounds of the 18-piece Hurricanes Dance Band. Attendees are eligible to win a variety of prizes, and everyone will receive a special parting gift. It’s a party not to be missed!
The Hurricanes Dance Band was formed in 1989 by trombonist, Ken Klettke. The band is comprised of members from all over the Greater Toronto Area. With 25 years of experience and an extensive repertoire of both Big Band Era hit songs and Ballroom Dance tunes, they add fun and excitement to any event.
