Memorial University is co-hosting a pan-Canadian Families in Canada 2019 Conference satellite event from March 27-28 at the Emera Innovation Exchange, Signal Hill Campus.

In collaboration with the Vanier Institute of the Family and fellow university partners across Canada, the focus of the Memorial event will include morning sessions on the theme of families and mobility and live-stream key sessions from the national Families in Canada 2019 Conference in Ottawa during the afternoon sessions.

The theme of the national conference is, Think Big: How Can We Use “Big Data” to Inform and Inspire Big Ideas to Optimize Family Well-being in Canada?

National sessions will cover a variety of topics and themes on family life in Canada through the life course, from “womb to tomb.”

Families on the move

Memorial’s session will focus on the theme of families on the move for life, work, education and health care.

Participants will include those with lived experience, as well as those who study, serve and support families on the move. Panel presentations and discussions will be used to encourage catalytic conversation around mobility as it affects the family lives of mobile workers, immigrants, Indigenous Peoples, military personnel, veterans, public safety personnel, survivors of domestic violence and people with disabilities.

“It’s more than just a conference,” says Dr. Barb Neis, chair of the local organizing committee, project director of partner organization, On the Move Partnership, and recent recipient of the Vanier Institute of the Family’s 2019 Mirabelli-Glossop Award.

“Our goal is to spark conversations within and across these diverse groups in order to inform public policy, and inspire new areas for research and collaboration.”

The conference will help inform Vanier Institute of the Family future initiatives.

Register in advance

The Memorial organizing committee consists of Dr. Neis, Dr. Rochelle Côté, Department of Sociology; Chris Sheppard, executive director, First Light; Dr. Tony Fang, Stephen Jarislowsky Chair of Cultural and Economic Transformation; Dr. Rose Ricardelli, Department of Sociology and director, Canadian Institute for Public Safety Research and Treatment;, and Dr. Gail Wideman, School of Social Work.

Those interested in participating must register in advance (choose the Memorial satellite event location).

For more information about the Families in Canada Conference 2019, visit www.familiesincanada.ca or email Kerri Neil.