Location: Liu Institute for Global Studies, University of British Columbia
This event aimed to foster dialogue around the role of athletes as agents of social change, and sport as a platform for social change and explored questions like: when has athlete activism been most and least effective?; is sport an appropriate venue for activism?; what are the risks for athletes engaging in activism and what ‘counts’ as activism?; what role does the media play?; and, what makes the current wave of activism possible?
The panel consisted of: 1) Tracie Léost, indigenous runner and activist from Manitoba who ran 115km to raise awareness about missing and murdered indigenous women and girls in Canada; 2) Shireen Ahmed, journalist and sports activist 3) Elisabeth Walker-Young, Canadian Paralympian; and 4) Dr. Patricia Vertinsky, Professor of sport history and physical culture in the School of Kinesiology at UBC.
This event was made possible by UNA-Vancouver, UBC School of Kinesiology, UBC Centre for Sport & Sustainability, ViaSport BC, and Basketball BC.
Click here for a link to a video of the event.