Democracy Bootcamp: Halifax 2023
Reimbursement Information
- Reimbursement guidelines
- Release time reimbursement form: Fillable PDF / Word Doc
- Travel reimbursement form: Fillable PDF / Word Doc
Please submit completed reimbursement forms to this Dropbox.
THURSDAY, MARCH 23, 2023
Welcome/Opening remarks
6:30 pm to 6:45 pm
Panel Discussion: “Democracy in Crisis”
6:50 to 8:00 pm
Experts discuss current challenges to democracy, including growing divisions, distrust in institutions and disinformation and low rates of electoral participation, as well as how to address them.
- Ian Campbell, The Hill Times
- Dr. Alex Marland, Memorial University
- Dr. Alan Sears, University of New Brunswick
- Moderator: Nancy Regan
FRIDAY, MARCH 24, 2023
Overview & Icebreaker Activity
8:30 am to 8:45 am
Session 1: Facilitating Effective Discussions
8:45 am to 9:25 am
Guiding principles and approaches for building discussion-friendly classrooms.
Activity Instructions
Session 2: Perspectives and Biases
9:30 am to 10:15 am
Exploring the PoliTalks program themes and activities focused on perspectives, values and biases, and strategies for fostering constructive discourse.
Activity Instructions
– Value Cards Instructions
Session 3: Discussing Controversial Issues
10:30 am to 12:00 pm
Best practices for facilitating political discussions in the classroom, including table discussion using a Structured Academic Controversy protocol. This session will also address common challenges that can arise in discussion.
Register for PoliTalks by visiting politalks.ca/registration
Activity Instructions
Session 4: “The State of Political Discourse” Panel Discussion
12:45 pm to 2:00 pm
Past politicians from various political parties discuss what they are observing in the current political climate, and share insights they have about how to improve democratic engagement.
- Bernadette Jordan, former Liberal MP
- Megan Leslie, former NDP MP
- Peter MacKay, former Conservative MP
- Moderator: Portia Clark, CBC
Session 5: Digital Platforms & Verification Skills
2:05 pm to 2:50 pm
An introduction to the relationship between online information and informed citizenship, followed by a hands-on practice session using CTRL-F lateral reading skills.
Please access the examples here.
You can register for our free CTRL-F resources here: ctrl-f.ca/en/registration