Based on his unique multi-year study in central Nigeria, Dr. Robert Barrett reveals fascinating new insight into why average people join deadly groups.  Face-to-face interviews with victims, witnesses, perpetrators, and leaders of two warring ethnic groups offer an extraordinarily rare glimpse inside the secret world of grassroots combatants.

 Dr. Robert Barrett holds a PhD in strategic studies and conflict analysis, recently completing a post-doctoral position at the University of Calgary.

 Dr. Barrett's work has been displayed in edited volumes on ethnic conflict and has been published in top international relations and counter-terrorism journals.

 His unique research on recruitment and indoctrination in Nigeria - a study that is the first of its kind in the region - has won significant acclaim from leading counter-terrorism institutes. Robert's work on conflict also extends beyond counterinsurgency and counter-terrorism.

 He was instrumental in developing Canada's first ever surgical operating room checklist and has presented and published research on topics ranging from changing hospital culture to conflict mitigation strategies for astronauts training for exploration-class Mars missions.

 Dr. Barrett is routinely sought after as a commentator on international conflict and current affairs, last year appearing in dozens of national radio, television, and print media sources. Dr. Barrett is the recipient of 11 major academic awards for his contribution to conflict research.  

Previously this month we enjoyed presentations about:

May 1 REJUVENATION OF THE EAST VILLAGE

Calgary Municipal Land Corporation is a land development organization which is managing the rejuvenation of East Village – a 49 acre urban village on Calgary’s east end. Susan Veres will discuss the master plan vision for the neighbourhood, the team’s approach to adding infrastructure within the area and the success of the project in attracting $650 million of private investment”.

Susan joined the CMLC team to lead the marketing and communications functions of the organization. With over 15 years experience in her field, Susan has provided integrated marketing and business development support, as well as strategic counsel to a wide variety of companies and clients including Coca-Cola Limited, West Edmonton Mall, Tourism Calgary, Economic Development Edmonton and WinSport, to name a few. She has extensive experience creating and implementing national and regional marketing campaigns, brand development initiatives and client relations programs to support the business goals of numerous organizations. In her current role, Susan will assist CMLC with strategic planning, developer and stakeholder relations, branding, advertising and media relations.

It will take every kind of energy and every ounce of ingenuity to build East Village and Susan is up for the challenge!

May 8  RE-THINKING THE ABORIGINAL RELATIONSHIP

 

For over a century Aboriginal people were viewed as wards of the state, it is time we gave them their proper place in Canadian Society.

John Reilly is a retired judge. He was appointed to the Provincial Court of Alberta in 1977 – sat in the City of Calgary until 1993 – this included a five-year assignment as circuit judge for Cochrane, Airdrie and Didsbury from 1981 to 1986.  In 1993 he transferred to Canmore – Cochrane was added to the Canmore circuit in 1996.  The second time around in Cochrane he took an active interest in aboriginal justice, got to know the Stoney community and became concerned about social conditions on the reserve.  In June 26, 1997 he ordered an investigation into financial mismanagement and political corruption on the reserve. 

He has written a book about his experience with the Stoney Community – Bad Medicine, a Judge’s Struggle for Justice in an AboriginalCommunity.   This was released in October of 2010 and has sold over 10,000 copies which, in Canada, is double the number needed to qualify as a best seller.

He is now fully retired, but maintains contact with people of the Stoney Nakoda Nations, and continues to advocate for aboriginal justice and restorative justice.  He still lives in Canmore where his favorite activities are hiking in the mountains and paddling on the rivers.

 May 15  LAUGHTER IS THE BEST MEDICINE 

A POTPOURRI OF THE WORLD’S GREATEST ADS

 

In a departure from his passionate prognostications on the gloomy state of the global economy, Don Romaniuk will instead liven-up our meeting this May 15 by screening some of the world's greatest (and funniest) commercials. He'll punctuate his video collage with amazing clips and photo montages from the world of entertainment, sports, science, the arts and the wide (and wild) outdoors, capped off with an assortment of other video entertainment that will keep you in stitches, fill you with awe, in some cases bring a tear to your eye and, in all cases, leave you wishing for more.

Come and join us this May 15th for a lunch-time presentation you'll not soon forget!  And bring along a friend or two.  They'll be grateful you did.

Don is a lawyer, economist and an experienced business executive.  He remains active in a number of business ventures, and holds positions on the Boards and Audit Committees of several companies.  For the past 10 years he has served on the Investment Committee of a national charitable foundation, and remains active in numerous local, national and international non-profit organizations.  He is also an avid fly-fisherman. 

May 22 DYING FOR CARE 

A LOOK AT NATIONAL ISSUES AS WELL AS THE CALGARY EXPERIENCE

Presented by Sarah Walker, MSW, RSW, Executive Director, Hospice Calgary Society and President of the Canadian Hospice Palliative CareAssociation.   She will share with us the issues that are being faced across Canada as our population ages and our care needs change.  In addition, Sarah will talk about the challenges (and joys!) of providing services to the greater Calgary community.  While sharing a few stories and laughter, Sarah will encourage us to think about ‘living with dying.’

 As the Executive Director of Hospice Calgary Sarah Walker works closely with the Board of Directors, Clinical Services and Fund Development teams.  She came to Hospice Calgary with a Master’s degree in Social Work and a background in Palliative Care Social Work.  Sarah started her employment with Hospice Calgary in 1991 and founded the initial programs for children that have developed into the Child/Youth and Family Services Department.  As well, Sarah has taught part-time with Mount Royal College in the Funeral Services Program.  She is also the Board President of the Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association, a national organization that advocates on behalf of hospice-palliative care.