For 快播视频 student Sadia Tasnim, that moment came while completing her second co-op work term at Food Banks Mississauga as a data administrator. During a shift, Tasnim encountered a client asking for menstrual products. The food bank, however, didn鈥檛 have any available.

鈥淚 felt terrible that I could not help her in that moment,鈥� says Tasnim, an international student from Bangladesh who struggled with the idea of women who do not have access to essential products.

Tasnim knew her expertise in data science could help the organization respond to this need. Through her studies at the Faculty of Science, she has become adept at gathering, interpreting and presenting data 鈥� including using statistical methods, computational skills and data analysis techniques 鈥� and wants to apply that knowledge to create positive change.

鈥淎t York, I鈥檝e learned a variety of unconventional ways to extract and organize data,鈥� says Tasnim, a fourth-year student. 鈥淚t鈥檚 important to me to use this skill for a meaningful purpose.鈥�

During her Fall 2025 placement at Food Banks Mississauga, Tasnim worked on the agency relations team, helping to coordinate organizations that distribute food and essential items to roughly half a million visitors per year. When she was asked to analyze the organization鈥檚 historical data on female clients between the ages of 18 to 55 in response to the gap in feminine hygiene products available, she was thrilled.

She drafted a report of her findings, which was shared with Food Banks Canada 鈥� the parent organization that provides supplies to community sites. Tasnim says it was rewarding to see her data analysis shared with decision makers and help make a meaningful impact.

鈥淭hat is what pushed me to take on this project 鈥� making sure this need gets met,鈥� says Tasnim.

Addressing real-world challenges has long been a priority for Tasnim. As a teen, she co-founded her own environmental non-profit to plant trees in her home city of Dhaka, Bangladesh, to improve its air quality. She also volunteered for a social enterprise that delivers clean drinking water to underserved rural communities.

Thinking about her future, Tasnim is considering career roles in social finance 鈥� an investing approach that centres societal and environmental impact.

鈥淚 believe we have to use our talents for humanitarian causes,鈥� Tasnim says. 鈥淒ata can help drive smart decision-making in these important matters.鈥�

For Daisy Dang, a fourth-year environmental studies student, housing access is the issue that drives her commitment to work for change. She is completing a full-time paid co-op placement at the Toronto Region Real Estate Board (TRREB), a non-profit organization serving 70,000 realtors in the Greater Toronto Area.

In her role as a policy analyst in TRREB鈥檚 government relations unit, she contributed to the organization鈥檚 2026 Market Outlook and Year in Review event. As part of that work, she conducted extensive research on the efficacy of the current private and rental housing supply in the city. She also gathered data on trends and metrics related to housing affordability, residential zoning practices and homelessness.

鈥淭here鈥檚 a need for a greater variety of the right types of housing and more density,鈥� Dang says. 鈥淲e should be building more up than outwards and building more units with two and three bedrooms.鈥�

As a student at York鈥檚 in the Cities, Regions, Planning (CRP) program, Dang is well-positioned to understand and address Toronto鈥檚 diverse urban planning challenges. This interdisciplinary program teaches sustainable, inclusive practices to manage growth, adapt infrastructure, welcome newcomers and mitigate environmental impacts. She has critically examined urban planning through courses exploring sustainable design, regional governance, migration patterns and political ecology.

Dang is also applying her growing knowledge at TRREB in other ways. A core part of her job involves researching housing-related programs offered by the municipal, provincial and federal governments to include as resources on the organization鈥檚 website. Her research also helps shape TRREB鈥檚 advocacy responses in its interactions with government representatives.

Through her combined co-op and academic experiences, Dang has a deeper understanding of the complex dynamics driving urbanization in Toronto and is particularly interested in its impacts on residents who live at the margins of society.

After completing her degree in 2027, she hopes to support municipal government decision-making in addressing housing issues affecting the unhoused and low-income citizens.

鈥淚 think a city works when you put people first,鈥� Dang says.

With files from Sharon Aschaiek

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As 2026 begins, many are looking ahead and wondering how the economic environment will evolve. 快播视频 experts say there will be challenges, but point towards positive trends for the year ahead.

For instance, households and investors with keen eyes may find further opportunities to grow wealth this year.

Daniel Richards, an associate professor in the School of Administrative Studies, Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies (LA&PS), notes that even amid some geopolitical volatility, last year鈥檚 stock market returns were consistent and strong. That trend has carried into 2026, he says, noting 鈥渢he news does not reflect what happens in the market.鈥�

On a broader scale, Richards points out that contrary to expectations, the number of jobs in the economy increased at the end of 2025. This may suggest strength in the labour market and some support for household income and expenditures.

Irene Henriques, a professor of strategic management at York' University's and senior business strategist, also sees positives signs of support coming from the Canadian government. Activity in recent months has seen Canada foster resilience and opportunity through international engagement. 鈥淐anada鈥檚 push to diversify trade and deepen international partnerships is fundamentally about risk reduction and stability,鈥� she says.

By spreading trade across a wider range of partners and supply chains, Canada can reduce its vulnerability to disruptions.

Other steps, such as Canada鈥檚 trade agreement with China on electric vehicles and agricultural goods, illustrate how diversified engagement can open new markets and ease trade tensions. 鈥淔or everyday Canadians, this translates into more stable prices over time due to more resilient supply chains, stronger job security as Canadian firms get access to more export markets and long-term financial resilience which supports economic growth,鈥� explains Henriques.

Meanwhile, the continued 鈥渂uy Canadian鈥� mindset among consumers is predicted to continue its positive impact throughout 2026. 鈥淏uying Canadian is not just symbolic; it has practical economic spillovers,鈥� she says.

Spending at home keeps money circulating in local economies, supports jobs and strengthens small- and medium-sized businesses. Over time, this reduces reliance on volatile global supply chains and helps stabilize pricing and availability.

Businesses, she adds, are reinforcing this shift by expanding interprovincial trade and lowering internal barriers, making it easier for Canadians to buy and sell domestically.

Even with these encouraging signals, some uncertainty will shape the year ahead.

Greg Albo, associate professor in the Department of Political Science, LA&PS, suggests that economic unpredictability will continue to be fuelled by shifting global geopolitical tensions and changing trade dynamics 鈥� much like in 2025.

鈥淚t鈥檚 hard to suggest that this year will be any calmer than last year,鈥� he says.

Renewed political and trade friction between the United States and the European Union has already surfaced in 2026, as well as volatility linked to instability in Venezuela and its effects on global energy markets. Albo says developments like these are leading to 鈥渋nternational institutions predicting slower economic growth that鈥檚 lower than the last couple years,鈥� with Canada鈥檚 GDP growth projected to remain in the low to mid single digits.

To maintain financial resilience, Canadians should prepare for the potential of ongoing inflation and the rising cost of living 鈥� especially for day-to-day staples. 鈥淐ore goods have been running higher inflation than other items,鈥� Albo says, noting this trend is expected to influence prices on essentials like food, transportation and education throughout the year.

That inflation will partly be driven by the impacts of last year鈥檚 tariffs, and survey data from Statistics Canada shows that many exporters and importers expect tariff-related cost pressures and higher selling prices in 2026.

According to Albo, Richards and Henriques, there are ways to navigate the unpredictable landscape ahead.

While it may be almost clich茅, says Albo, careful financial planning and decision-making will be required. 鈥淏e a little bit more cautious on overall spending because of the general uncertainty 鈥� particularly if you鈥檙e personally leveraged,鈥� he says.

In some cases, holding back altogether may be called for. Although the stock market has demonstrated positive momentum, Henriques suggests that for some, it may be best to wait to invest. 鈥淗olding cash or low-risk assets provides liquidity, optionality and psychological stability,鈥� she says. 鈥淲hile it may limit upside, it also reduces downside risk during uncertain periods. For many households, that trade-off is rational, not fear-based.鈥�

Preserving liquidity can also help bolster a suggestion from Richards: maintaining an emergency fund for unexpected costs or risks.

鈥淚f Canadians have that emergency fund, that bit of money set aside specifically for situations of sudden or urgent need, they can build financial resilience,鈥� he says.

Richards also stresses the importance of understanding one鈥檚 financial situation and daily purchasing habits. 鈥淩eally understanding how much everything costs, how much you鈥檝e got coming in, how much you鈥檝e got going out 鈥� that daily budgeting tool is a key part of financial resilience,鈥� he says.

And, Canadians are adopting these measures, Richards says, noting that 2025 saw an increase of Canadians seeking fee-for-service financial planners.

鈥淧eople are realizing that financial advice is not just about what investment/product you are recommended, but more about how you apply strategies and organize your finances,鈥� he says.

Financial planners can offer expertise and professional guidance for reviewing budgets, tracking expenses and developing strategies for handling rising costs and uncertainty.

Lastly, Henriques suggests that if Canadians do have to spend money, they should consider spending their dollars at home. She urges households to explore purchasing possibilities across the country.

鈥淲hen Canadians explore new domestic businesses, local services or emerging sectors, their spending supports innovation and competition which improves quality and value; helps new ventures scale creating jobs and alternatives to larger firms; and keeps economic momentum thereby preventing a slowdown driven purely by caution,鈥� she says.

Though challenges, uncertainty and caution may be ahead, it does not mean Canadians need to feel hopeless. 鈥淲hen presented with a problem, if enough focus and attention is given to it, a solution will emerge,鈥� says Richards.

For Henriques that solution lies, in part, in a slight 鈥� but positive 鈥� rethinking of what the story of 2026 will be for most Canadians.

鈥淚n the end, Canada鈥檚 economic story right now isn鈥檛 about rapid growth but about resilience, smarter choices and positioning households and businesses to emerge stronger once uncertainty fades,鈥� she says.

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Established in 2003, the annual awards celebrate Canada鈥檚 most influential women for their leadership, advocacy and impact in their communities and industries. This year鈥檚 York-affiliated recipients include alumni and faculty whose work advances innovation, equity and excellence in Canada and beyond.

Below are this year鈥檚 winners and the categories for which they were recognized.

Amex Emerging Leaders

This category recognizes women between the ages of 30 and 40 who have been targeted for successive leadership positions and demonstrate a passion for learning and innovation.

Meghan Hillstrom (JD '18) is an alum and now serves as senior director at CIBC, where she established and leads a global team responsible for employee relations, workplace investigations and Canadian health and safety. Since joining the bank, she has spearheaded strategic projects, strengthened compliance frameworks and navigated sensitive executive-level matters. Named a 2023 Peak Emerging Leader, Hillstrom is recognized for her ability to deliver clear, effective solutions that support a respectful, regulation-aligned workplace while fostering professional development within her team.

Zeina Ismail (MES '13), an alum of the Graduate Program in Environmental Studies, is an associate vice-president of everyday banking at TD Bank, where she leads acquisition strategies that drive growth through innovation and advice. She also serves on the board of ABC Life Literacy, a non-profit organization that provides programs and resources to help adults improve their financial, digital and health literacy skills.

CN Executive Leaders

This category recognizes women who exemplify strong leadership while building confidence and championing others.

Monique Allen (MBA '00), an alumnus of York's , is a seasoned technology executive responsible for shaping the tech strategy across Sun Life鈥檚 Canadian operations and leading global enterprise architecture initiatives. She is committed advocate for equity, diversity, inclusion and wellness, and contributes her expertise to several boards focused on these values. Her contributions to the industry have been recognised with a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Women in IT Awards Canada.

Roberta Iannacito-Provenzano is former associate dean in the Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies. She is currently the provost and vice-president academic and a full professor at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU). A scholar of Italian studies and southern Italian dialectology 鈥� which she taught as a professor at York for over a decade 鈥� she has published her work in the field extensively. She also co-chairs TMU鈥檚 Presidential Implementation Committee to Confront Anti-Black Racism and the TRC Strategic Working Group, and has received multiple professional leadership awards.

Professionals

This category recognizes women who are professionals in practice and play a leadership role within their organizations.

Pamela Farrell (BEd '07), a Faculty of Education alum, is a professor of education at the University of Calgary and founder of the GROW Community Food Literacy Centre, Canada鈥檚 first food literacy centre that works to reduce hunger, combat food insecurity and promote healthy lifestyles. She also serves as honourary consul of Switzerland to Alberta and advocates for inclusive education and food justice. Farrell was recently also recognized with a 2025 快播视频 Alumni Award.

Zohar Levy (LLB '08), a graduate of , is an experienced civil litigator with a focus on commercial disputes and alternative dispute resolution. She advises a range of clients 鈥� from global corporations to individual professionals 鈥搊n complex legal matters, particularly in the areas of health, technology and intellectual property. Deeply committed to access to justice, Zohar also dedicates time to pro bono work and community service, supporting advocacy groups, serving on boards and volunteering with legal associations.

RBC Future Leaders

This category recognizes young women between the ages of 15 and 29 who are transforming their communities through innovation, collaboration and courage.

Lauren Castelino (BA '22, MES '24) is an alum from the and Glendon College. She is an environmentalist and entrepreneur who founded the Green Career Centre to help under-represented youth access green jobs through training, resources and guidance. Her work has reached more than 500,000 young people and informed a $405-million national commitment to climate philanthropy. She was also recognized as one of York's 2025 Top 30 Alumni Under 30.

Rana Espiritu Nasrazadani (BA '20, MPPAL '22) was also recognized in this category. Espiritu Nasrazadani is an alum of 快播视频's Graduate Program in Public Policy, Administration and Law and a former president's ambassador. Known for her strength-based approach to disability rights advocacy, she is an educator, public speaker and policy adviser advancing accessibility, equity and human rights in Canada. She is also a senior policy advisor with the Ministry of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security, and was recognized as one of 快播视频's inaugural聽2021 Top 30 Alumni Under 30.

STEM Trailblazers

This category recognizes women in STEM roles who are challenging the status quo for knowledge and female empowerment.

Farzia Khan, a graduate from the , is senior manager of information security at TD Bank and founder of Ellehacks, an organization that hosts hackathons and programs to empower women and non-binary individuals in technology and innovation. Khan leads enterprise-wide cyber resiliency initiatives and is the visionary behind TD鈥檚 Cyber Academy, a program that provides students and early-career professionals with training and hands-on experience in cybersecurity skills. She also serves on several cyber and technology advisory boards. She recently received a 2025 快播视频 Alumni Award.

Ruth Uy (EMBA '22) is a graduate of the . She is a veteran board member, safety expert and executive with deep experience in non-profit, social justice and public infrastructure sectors. A licensed professional engineer with more than 25 years in the field, she actively promotes diversity in underrepresented industries through mentorship and public speaking. Drawing on her background in energy, circular economy and technology, she has forged cross-sector partnerships that drive lasting process improvements. She has been honoured among Canada鈥檚 Top Women in Safety (2025) and BMO Women on Boards (2024), and continues to champion women in STEM through leadership and mentorship.

For the full list of this year鈥檚 winners, visit the .

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This designation, awarded by Fairtrade Canada, reflects York鈥檚 ongoing efforts to foster a socially responsible campus culture through collaboration, education and action. 

Fair Trade-certified products 鈥� such as chocolate, coffee, tea and bananas 鈥� are available at various YU Eats locations including Stong College, Winters College, Central Square (Keele Campus) and Glendon Campus. The initiative also extends to apparel, with the 快播视频 Bookstore offering certified fair trade T-shirts and hoodies though a partnership with Green Campus Co-op, a student- and faculty-founded organization established in 2011. 

Driving these initiatives are Professor John Simoulidis and Tom Watt, senior director, business development, Ancillary Services, who co-lead York鈥檚 Fair Trade Steering Committee, along with Sasa Nestorovic, director, Bookstore, Printing and Mailing Services.听

Nicole Arsenault, director, sustainability, says the designation "represents years of dedicated work by students, faculty and staff who have championed fair trade and helped integrate it into campus life.鈥� These efforts, she adds, support the United Nations鈥� Sustainable Development Goals, a key component of the 快播视频 Academic Plan.听

To mark this recognition and continue building awareness, York will host a Fair Trade Fair in Vari Hall on Tuesday, Oct. 21 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The event will feature Chartwells, the 快播视频 Bookstore, and Green Campus Co-op, as well as a variety of external vendors offering fair trade products and samples. 聽

Learn more about Fair Trade at York here. 

With files from Nicole Arsenault

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DHRN launched in April 2025 on the two-year anniversary of the Sudanese civil war, an event that has personal meaning for Merghani whose family is from Sudan and still lives there. Seeing the destruction and hearing from relatives about the suffering, she felt a strong responsibility to help. Her hometown, considered a safe zone, became a refuge for millions of displaced Sudanese fleeing conflict areas.

Late last year, she began raising funds to provide food and medicine to those in camps across northern Sudan, later expanding support to other regions through local volunteers.

Between December 2024 and April 2025, Merghani raised nearly $10,000 through personal outreach and social media and worked with volunteers who distributed food, medicine and emergency supplies. The experience, she says, showed her the power of grassroots solidarity and inspired her to create something more structured.

That structure became DHRN. Since its launch, the network has raised more than $160,000 to provide essential aid to internally displaced people in Sudan, working directly with community organizers on the ground. It is now a federally incorporated not-for-profit in Canada, strengthening its capacity for long-term impact.

鈥淎s DHRN grew, I saw how much trust people placed in our work and realized that impact comes with responsibility,鈥� says Merghani. 鈥淚ncorporating as a not-for-profit created transparency and sustainability, enabling our efforts to grow.鈥� The change allows DHRN to manage funds through an official bank account, build a board of directors, apply for grants and collaborate with universities and NGOs. 鈥淲hat started as a student-led effort has become something much bigger,鈥� she says.

DHRN is an Agents of Change project with York鈥檚 Faculty of Health, offering students opportunities to turn real-world problems into tangible advocacy, research and education. Among its first initiatives is , a student-led blog that highlights stories of displacement, resilience and belonging, creating a platform for dialogue and awareness.

Building on that foundation, DHRN launched its on-campus engagement work this fall with its first event, the DHRN Welcome Event, co-hosted on Sept. 24 with the Centre for Refugee Studies Student Caucus at York's Keele Campus. Facilitated by Merghani, the gathering brought students together for small-group discussions on migration, health and advocacy, and invited participants to share experiences and ideas for collective action.

鈥淭he event offered a safe space to talk about personal experiences relating to immigration, displacement and being a refugee. I am grateful I was a part of this learning experience,鈥� says Ann Kwarteng, a fifth-year global health student and DHRN blog contributer.

For Zamzam Aini, a third-year global health student and DHRN outreach director, the event was 鈥渁 meaningful opportunity to reflect and connect with others who truly care about supporting migrant and displaced communities.鈥�

While Sudan remains at the heart of DHRN鈥檚 work, the network鈥檚 mission has expanded to address displacement more broadly. 鈥淭he challenges faced by displaced Sudanese families are part of a much larger, global story,鈥� says Merghani. DHRN now aims to support uprooted communities globally and within Canada through advocacy and education, recognizing displacement as a global health issue not limited by borders.

The 鈥渘etwork鈥� in DHRN鈥檚 name reflects both its student team at York and its partners abroad. On campus, students lead advocacy, communications and research efforts that connect global issues with local action. Internationally, DHRN collaborates with volunteers, health professionals and community organizers in Sudan and neighbouring regions who help deliver aid and assess needs.

Looking ahead, DHRN plans to expand its initiatives through projects like the Displacement Health Resource Library and the Sudan Advocacy Toolkit 鈥� digital resources that provide information and practical ways to take action. The network is also developing partnerships with organizations such as the Migrants Resource Centre Canada and hopes to collaborate with researchers who study displacement and health.

Merghani says DHRN ultimately seeks to engage students, educators and community members who want to learn, act and make a tangible difference. 鈥淎t its core, the network is about solidarity and creating meaningful connections between those affected by displacement and those who want to be part of the solution.鈥�

She adds, 鈥淥ur goal is to bridge compassion and action, to remind people that displacement is not a crisis happening elsewhere. It鈥檚 about humanity, solidarity and the right to health and dignity for all.鈥�

Students, faculty and community members are invited to join future events, collaborations and advocacy efforts. To learn more, visit the , send an email or follow the network on and for updates.

With files by Sarah Merghani

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Throughout the month, YFile will present a series of articles that highlight contributions from 快播视频 and its efforts to advance the SDGs. These stories reflect the people, research and initiatives that make the University an international leader in sustainability.

快播视频 is making significant strides in enhancing food initiatives that foster sustainability, cultural inclusivity and well-being across its campuses.

By increasing plant-based menu options, incorporating Indigenous and culturally diverse meals and providing hands-on learning opportunities, York鈥檚 Food Services department聽is strengthening its commitment to a more sustainable and accessible food environment while advancing its broader institutional goals.听

Among those initiatives is a commitment to the Humane World for Animals (formerly Humane Society International) Forward Food Pledge to ensure at least 60 per cent of menu offerings are vegan and vegetarian. Adopted in March 2024, the University has now successfully met its goal. 

鈥淭his milestone strengthens the University鈥檚 commitment to sustainability by reducing the environmental footprint of campus dining while providing nutritious and diverse food choices for students, faculty and staff,鈥� says Dahlia Abou El Hassan, a registered dietitian at York. 鈥淧lant-based dishes are now a staple across dining halls, offering culturally diverse and nutrient-rich options to the University community.鈥� 

El Hassan notes that Food Services has also collaborated with Indigenous chef and educator Rick Powless to introduce Indigenous-inspired soup, supporting York鈥檚 efforts towards Indigenous inclusion and food sovereignty. These offering are available every Friday at YU Eats dining locations. 

鈥溈觳ナ悠碘�檚 diverse community is at the core of its food service strategy, ensuring that a variety of culturally inclusive menu options are available,鈥� says Abou El Hassan, noting that Halal, kosher, vegetarian and other dietary needs are considered in menu planning at dining locations across campuses. 

Programs such as Chef鈥檚 Table and World鈥檚 Kitchen showcase rotating international dishes at Central Square Market, Stong, Winters and Glendon dining halls. 

Beyond offering nutritious and diverse food options, Food Services engages students in food literacy and culinary education through the Teaching Kitchen series. Led by Abou El Hassan in collaboration with chefs Donna Tobias (Keele Campus) and Frederic Pouch (Glendon Campus), these free cooking classes teach students essential cooking skills, nutritional knowledge and sustainable food practices.  

"Through these initiatives, we are fostering a food culture that prioritizes health, sustainability and accessibility while advancing 快播视频鈥檚 sustainability and well-being strategies," says Abou El Hassan. 

For more information on York鈥檚 food sustainability initiatives, visit the Food Services website or follow on Instagram at @yorkufood. 

With files from Dahlia Abou El Hassan 

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In About Canada, Raphael 鈥� an expert in covering health inequality 鈥� argues that the inequitable distribution of the social determinants of health is structured by Canada鈥檚 political economy, including public policy decisions.

According to Raphael, and his book, while some common wisdom might dictate that our lifestyles 鈥� exercise, food choices and more 鈥� affect our health, the truth is altogether different. Instead, he says, it is how income and wealth, housing, education and adequate food are distributed, as well as employment status and working conditions, that determine whether we stay healthy or become ill. Furthermore, who gets to be healthy is too often a reflection of social inequalities that are associated with class, gender and race in Canadian society.

The new edition of About Canada points toward how 鈥� based on tent cities becoming more common, food bank use hitting record high levels and more 鈥� ongoing health inequalities have only escalated since the first edition of his book was released in 2010.

鈥淭he social determinants of health situation in Canada has become so problematic as to constitute a polycrisis whereby growing food and housing insecurity, income and wealth inequality, precarious and low-paid work, social exclusion and declining quality of public policy threaten Canadians鈥�  futures," says Raphael. 鈥淭he declining Canadian scene not only compelled a documentation of this situation but also formulating a vision of dramatic reform or even transformation of our profit-driven economic system.鈥�

In addition to updated information throughout the book that better reflects the current moment, a new chapter also considers the social determinants of who got sick and died from COVID-19, and how the pandemic makes a clear case for restructuring work and living conditions through public policy that more equitably distributes economic resources.

Raphael's goal is for the latest edition of the book is to provide important context for readers. 鈥淗opefully, the new edition will provide Canadians with a means of understanding the Canadian polycrisis and means of moving beyond it," he says.

The third edition of the book will be published on May 2 and is available to purchase through .

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On March 14, the Teaching Commons will host the second of a series of workshops in partnership with Nona Robinson, vice-provost students. Titled 鈥�Effective Classroom Facilitation: Managing disruptions, addressing controversial topics and supporting equity-deserving students,鈥� this virtual session will offer concrete tools, strategies and resources for facilitating productive conversations in the classroom.

鈥淚鈥檓 always happy to work with faculty members on student support, inclusion, and preventing and managing conflict鈥� says Robinson. 鈥淚 know this can be a source of stress for many of us, and this is a great opportunity for colleagues to share experiences and helpful ideas.鈥� 

The session accompanies a new Facilitating Dialogue and Challenging Conversations in the Classroom resource site, also referred to as a toolkit, housed on the Teaching Commons website. and led by educational developer Shani Kipang.

鈥淥ne of the goals has been to help members of the University community revisit commonly used terms like 鈥榮afety鈥� and 鈥榗omfort,鈥� and to think critically and collaboratively about what it means and looks like to build accountable spaces," says Kipang, who has worked with the Teaching Commons over the past year to support initiatives in decolonizing, equity, diversity and inclusion (DEDI).

The toolkit provides a range of resources to support productive dialogue and collaborative learning in the classroom. Included in it are topic-specific resources such as strategies for facilitating discussion, addressing harm and creating community guidelines.

"Our hope is to help instructors walk into the classroom with clear goals and responsive strategies, so students can be motivated to engage and have the sense that it will be worthwhile,鈥� she explains. 鈥淲e want to help instructors address unanticipated situations with intention, and to support meaningful and carefully guided opportunities for learners to engage with critical issues in ways that shape how they learn and work and interact in the world.鈥�

In addition to the March 14 workshop, the Teaching Commons offers a variety of other opportunities to explore strategies for teaching in times of crisis and integrating DEDI-informed pedagogies. Among these are a workshop series on trauma-informed pedagogies and a DEDI community of practice 鈥� a space where teachers can come together to learn, share, and question a wide array of topics related to DEDI in teaching and learning.

In partnership with York's Centre for Human Rights, Equity & Inclusion and faculty co-facilitators, these initiatives are led by Ameera Ali, an educational developer in the Teaching Commons with a portfolio focused on equity, diversity and inclusion.

鈥淭hese offerings invite folks to come together to collectively reflect on and discuss various aspects of trauma, race, disability, gender, wellness, belonging and more,鈥� she says. 鈥淎nd through this work, building understanding in these areas, we can better support meaningful dialogue and connection within the classroom.鈥�

For more information on resources and upcoming sessions, visit the Teaching Commons website or contact them via email at teaching@yorku.ca.

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Antimicrobial resistance occurs when bacteria, viruses and other microbes 鈥� and the infections they cause 鈥� stop responding to the medicines designed to treat them. AMR has a profound impact on global health and development 鈥� especially in low- and middle-income countries. It contributes to an estimated five million deaths annually and rolls back progress on many of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs), including SDG 3 (Good Health & Wellbeing), SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth).

GSL has emerged as a leader in addressing pressing global and public health challenges. In the area of AMR, GSL aims to use policy research to support evidence-informed decision-making by the world鈥檚 governments and public health institutions to ensure sustainable antimicrobial use.

As a result, in 2019, GSL was designated the WHOCC on Global Governance of Antimicrobial Resistance. 鈥淐ollaborating centres have a concentration of expertise that WHO recognizes as valuable to achieving their mandate,鈥� explains Susan Rogers Van Katwyk, who is co-director of the WHOCC at GSL along with Steven Hoffman.

In the past four years, the WHOCC at GSL has played a critical role in supporting the WHO鈥檚 work on AMR policy and governance, resulting in its renewal for another four years. 鈥淚t's exciting to know that the WHO values our support and the work that we've been doing with them for the last few years,鈥� says Rogers Van Katwyk.

While the WHOCC at York will continue its mandate of supporting evidence-informed AMR decision-making, its new mandate will include a greater focus on equity as it relates to policy and the governance of AMR. 鈥淎 focus on equity is something that the Global Strategy Lab is committed to and we're glad to have it spelled out in our mandate for the renewal term,鈥� says Rogers Van Katwyk.

Among the additions the redesignation has brought to the WHOCC at GSL, Rogers Van Katwyk is especially excited about the greater emphasis on a "One Health" approach, which recognizes that human health, animal health and the environment are interconnected. 鈥淢ost of our research at the Global Strategy Lab already includes that perspective. It鈥檚 where a lot of health research, especially around infectious diseases, is headed,鈥� she says.

Following its redesignation, Rogers Van Katwyk believes the WHOCC 颅at GSL has the potential to make a profound impact on the future of global health and sustainability. 鈥淲e recently undertook a mapping exercise of how AMR impacts the United Nations SDGs. There's almost none of them that aren't impacted,鈥� she says. 鈥淚f we don't address AMR, we're not going to achieve the SDG on health and most of the other SDGs.鈥�

Rogers Van Katwyk and her team are ready to support better AMR policymaking and governance for a healthier and more equitable future.

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will run Nov. 22 from 10 to 11 a.m. and feature a panel of experts who will delve into the challenges, and opportunities, surrounding evidence-informed AMR policymaking. The event aims to be a dynamic exchange of ideas, providing valuable insights into the complexities of AMR and the ways in which research can directly inform policy for more effective outcomes.

Millions of lives are at stake annually due to AMR, with its impact extending beyond human health to thwart progress on critical United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including Zero Hunger (SDG 2), Clean Water and Sanitation (SDG 6), and Climate Action (SDG 13).

AMR not only claims lives but also undermines efforts to achieve sustainable development, making it imperative to bridge the gap between research and policy. New data and research on AMR emerge weekly, highlighting the need to establish pathways that connect researchers with policymakers. This collaboration aims to ensure that high-quality, context-specific AMR research informs the development, updating and implementation of policies. Taking a scientific approach to enhance the effectiveness of policies makes them more likely to succeed while minimizing costs through evidence-based decision-making.

Panellists for this event are:

• Dr. Ifedayo Adetifa of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention;
• Professor Clare Chandler of the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine;
• Susan Rogers Van Katwyk, managing director of the AMR Policy Accelerator, research director of global antimicrobial resistance and adjunct professor at 快播视频; and
• Dr. Zubin Shroff of the Alliance for Health Policy and Systems Research.

Moderating the event will be 快播视频 Associate Professor A. M. Viens, York Research Chair in Population Health Ethics and Law and inaugural director of York's School of Global Health.

Register for the event .

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