Conference Program

Conference organizers are delighted to share the draft conference program (published 17 August 2015). The program provides a detailed schedule for all the activities of the conference, community field trips, and brief biographies of the five keynote speakers. Over the coming weeks, conference organizers will post a final copy of the program. In the mean time, if you have any questions about the draft documents please contact naf2015@upei.ca.

Final Conference Program (9 MB)

Keynote Speakers

Sally Shortall

Sally Shortall has spent her academic career focused on the the future of rural communities. Through her research we have enhanced understanding of rural development, farm families, the role of women on farms, community development, and social inclusion. Sally’s research also bridges research and policy, having devoted time to understanding evidence-based policy and rural development policy. Sally’s expertise in rural and regional development have been sought by leading national and international rural and regional development agencies, including the Scottish Government, European Parliament, European Commission, the Food and Agricultural Organization, and the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development. Sally is a Professor in Sociology at Queens University Belfast, United Kingdom. Sally will participate in the opening plenary, "Globalization: Who’s winning? Who’s Losing?" at the Harbourfront Theatre on September 16 at 7:30 pm.

Kelly Vodden

Kelly Vodden is an Associate Professor (Research) with the Environmental Policy Institute and Division of Social Sciences at Grenfell Campus, Memorial University. She also serves as a Research Associate and advisor to Municipalities of Newfoundland and Labrador, a board member with Indian Bay Ecosystem Corporation, and a former board member with the Canadian Rural Revitalization Foundation. Kelly’s research and publications relate to sustainable community and regional development, with a focus on rural, coastal, often natural resource-dependent communities. Kelly will participate in the opening plenary, "Globalization: Who’s winning? Who’s Losing?" at the Harbourfront Theatre on September 16 at 7:30 pm.

Shey Conover

Shey Conover is the VP of Programs at the Island Institute. In this role, she partners with leaders from Maine’s island and working waterfront communities to ensure they remain vibrant places to live, work and educate children. Shey works with the Institute’s education, energy, marine, community and economic development staff to structure responses to emerging challenges faced by communities along the Maine coast. Shey’s background is in using participatory mapping to engage stakeholders to identify and protect working waterfront access, traditional fishing grounds, and community human and natural resources. Shey will participate in the Strategies for Building Community Resilience session on September 17 at 1:30 pm in the Empire Room of the Loyalist Hotel.

Daniel Pottle

Daniel G. Pottle is the Minister of Finance, Human Resources and Information Technology/Ministerik kenaujaliginimmut, Inuliginimmut amma Kaujimattisinimmut for the Government of Nunatsiavut. Daniel will participate in the Indigenous Perspectives of Building Community Resilience session on September 17 at 9:00 am in the Empire Room of the Loyalist Hotel.

Maura Walsh

Maura Walsh is the Chief Executive Office of IRD Duhallow in southwestern Ireland. Maura will participate in the Strategies for Building Community Resilience session on September 17 at 1:30 pm in the Empire Room of the Loyalist Hotel.

Community Tours 

As part of the Building Community Reslience confernece participants will have the opportunity to participate in one of three community tours. The community tours are an opportunity to explore how communities and regions in Prince Edward Island are becoming more resilient. The tours will take place during the afternoon of September 18 and are included in the price of registration. Click here for more details on the three community tours.