Peace and Nature panel report

The third and final edition of the peace panel series took place April 17 on the topic of “Peace & Nature”. The panel was organized by Dawson’s Peace Studies Certificate, Peace Centre, and the Peace 365 course taught by Ivan Freud.

The panelists were Diana Rice, former Peace Centre Coordinator, who has recently spearheaded the wonderful free meals program at Dawson, Simon Berube, Dawson and Peace 365 graduate who completed his bachelor’s degree in law and a second degree in environmental sciences, and finally Julie Filiatrault who has been teaching nature-based environmental education for over 15 years; she is the founder of “La Mère Nature” and “Pédagogie de la Terre,” a permaculture-based approach that helps heal, reconcile, and re-enchant our connections to living things and nature, as well as within ourselves and with others.

Diana spoke of the importance of reconnecting to the earth through Indigenous wisdom, Simon discussed tools to manage eco-anxiety, and Julie reminded us of our lived connection with the eco-cosmos! Three very thought-provoking presentations followed by an engaging Q & A session with Peace 365 students and guests. Students were to write a reflection highlighting the inter-connections between the three presentations. You can do the same by watching the video here: https://www.dawsoncollege.qc.ca/peace-centre/peace-studies-certificate/peace-365/

-By Ivan Freud