The Globe and Mail

The current development trajectory is causing potentially crippling damage to the global environment. Climate change is the most obvious threat, but there are also serious problems related to water and land usage, chemical releases, and the management of ‘renewable’ resources. Rapid progress is needed in coming decades to transform radically patterns of production and consumption along more sustainable lines. Technological innovation is important for lowering carbon emissions, but the reform of business practices, social norms and political institutions are also necessary. Both citizens and governments have a critical role to play in bringing about the necessary changes.

Dr. James Meadowcroft holds a Canada Research Chair in Governance for Sustainable Development and is a Professor in the School of Public Policy and Administration, and in the Department of Political Science, at Carleton University. After completing a BA in Political Science at McGill, he obtained a doctorate in political theory from Oxford University. His research focuses on reforms to structures and processes of governance to promote the transition towards sustainability. Climate change and sustainable energy policy are important themes in his current research. He teaches sustainable energy policy in the MA program in School of Public at Carleton.

This presentation will consider the relevance of sport to finding solutions to global issues: environmental degradation, infectious disease, poverty, violence and natural disasters. Sport can be inexpensive, healthy, fun, fair, counter-stereotypical, collaborative, goal oriented, disciplined and inspiring. These personal qualities can be modeled to provide the good governance and intercultural communication necessary to resolve the global challenges.

The Honourable Stephen Owen, QC, PC is Vice President, External, Legal and Community Relations of The University of British Columbia.

A former Member of Parliament of Canada for Vancouver Quadra, Stephen Owen was first elected to Parliament in November 2000. In government, he served as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Justice, Secretary of State for Indian Affairs and Northern Development, Minister of Public Works and Government Services and Receiver General for Canada, Minister of Western Economic Diversification and Minister of Sport.

Prior to his election to Parliament, Stephen Owen was the David Lam Professor of Law and Public Policy and Director of the Institute for Dispute Resolution at the University of Victoria; Commissioner and Vice President of the Law Commission of Canada; Deputy Attorney General, Commissioner of Resources and Environment, Ombudsman and Executive Director for Legal Services Society of British Columbia; and a practicing lawyer.

Stephen Owen has advised numerous governments and international institutions in Asia, Africa, Latin America and Eastern Europe on issues of human rights, governance, conflict resolution and environmental sustainability. He has investigated security force killings in apartheid South Africa, Northern Ireland/Gibraltar, Somalia, Kosovo and Cambodia.

As the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games approach Olympic athletes will come under close public scrutiny. Extraordinary records will be set and new technology will offer unexpected advantages that will challenge the boundaries of what is considered a level playing field. Given those challenges, how do we determine what is ethical and fair? These questions and more are explored with Richard Pound followed by a panel discussion with Dr. Jim Rupert and Beckie Scott.

Richard Pound is a former Olympic swimmer, McGill Chancellor and former President of the World Anti-Doping Agency. His career has touched nearly all aspects of the Olympic Movement, including: director and executive member of the Organizing Committee for the Calgary Winter Games 1988; Deputy Chef de Mission of the Canadian Olympic delegation for the Munich 1972 Olympic Games; and director of the Vancouver 2010 Bid Committee.

Globally, sport and play are increasingly garnering recognition as agents of social change with the power to contribute to national and international development goals and objectives – including the promotion of health, the achievement of education, the inclusion and empowerment of girls and women and the pursuit of peace. The Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games presents the international community with an enormous opportunity to promote the power of sport for peace and development – particularly at a time when these values risk being overshadowed by the competitive nature of the Games.