In an effort to inspire thought and discussion amongst community members, the Edmonton Social Planning Council and the Edmonton Public Library co-sponsor the Lunch and Learn Series. Guest speakers are invited to share their thoughts and experiences regarding social issues and work with front-line organizations that have an impact on Edmonton society.  Bring a lunch and join us in a series of dialogues that affect the health and well-being of Edmonton and its citizens.

Location: Central Court (Main Floor) – Stanley Milner Library (7 Sir Winston Churchill Square)

Time: 12:00-1:00PM

Wednesday, February 29^th, 2012

Speaker: Sabrina Atwal, Project Director, Indo-Canadian Women’s Association

Topic: Nutrition Programs and Services for Edmontonians Living With HIV

Speaker: Jeanne Kalisa, Volunteer Nutritionist, HIV Edmonton

Description: Jeanne Kalisa will discuss nutrition programs and services that she is delivering to Edmontonians living with HIV.  

Wednesday, April, 4th, 2012

Topic: The Power of Organized Labour: The History of the Alberta Federation of Labour

Speakers: Winston Gereluk and Jim Selby, Alberta Labour History Institute (ALHI)

Description: Winston Gereluk and Jim Selby will look at the history of the Alberta Federation of Labour and its contribution to the labour movement in Alberta.

Wednesday, May 16th, 2012

Topic: Public Safety in Edmonton

Speaker: Jan Fox, Executive Director, REACH Edmonton

Description: Jan Fox will talk about the purpose of REACH Edmonton’s and the work it is doing to improve public safety in Edmonton.

PREVIOUS LUNCH AND LEARN TALKS: 

Wednesday, January 25^th, 2012

Topic: Literacy: Implications For Us All

Speakers: Jonna Grad and Wendy Peverett, Centre for Family Literacy

Description: Our speakers will discuss the impact that lower literacy rates have on all aspects of a person's life.  They will also talk about programs offered by the Centre to help Albertans improve their literacy skills.

November 9, 2011

Topic: The Importance of Shopping Local

Speaker: Heidi Veluw, Project Manager, Live-Local Alberta

November is Shop Local First Month!

October 26, 2011

Speaker: Kate Quinn, Executive Director, Centre To End All Sexual Exploitation (CEASE)

September 28, 2011

Topic: Mental Health Patient Advocacy in Alberta's Health Care System

Speaker: Fay Orr, Alberta Mental Health Patient Advocate

May 18, 2011
Topic: Creating Hope for Aboriginal Families
Speaker: Bernadette Iahtail, Creating Hope Society 
The vision of Creating Hope Society is to engage in a process of reconciliation that will allow Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal caregivers to arrive at a new place of understanding child welfare that will end, forever, the historically devastating impacts of child welfare.
Pictures | Video

April 13, 2010
Topic: Human Trafficking
Speaker: Kimberly Ferland, ACT Alberta
April 13 was Human Trafficking Awareness Day in Edmonton!  ACT Alberta is a coalition of government agencies, nongovernmental organizations, survivors of trafficking and the general public who are concerned with identifying and responding to human trafficking in our province.

February 16, 2011
Topic: Bullying: Impact on Mental Health
Speaker: Betty Wedman, Community Advocate
Betty Wedman is a life coach in the area of Health & Wellness and has taken training in Cognitive Behaviour as well as Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training.  Betty is a mother who, in 2008, lost her son to suicide due to bullying and depression.  It is her hope to bring awareness and shed light on changes needed within our society to enhance mental wellness in youth.
Pictures  |  Video

November 24, 2010
Topic: Open Minds, Healthy Communities: a look at mental health in our backyard
In connection with the International Day of Persons with Disabilities on December 3, 2010
Speaker: Ione Challborne, Executive Director, Canadian Mental Health Association Edmonton
Pictures

October 20, 2010
Topic: It's Time: Advocating for a Comprehensive Poverty Reduction Strategy for Alberta
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