Ampersand The Conference: Delegate Package

BNQFSTBOE

U I F D P O G F S F O D F

DELEGATE PACKAGE

8FMDPNF

“That's the thing with magic. You've got to know it's still here, all around us, or it just stays invisible for you.�

Charles de Lint Celtic folk musician and story teller, b.1951

CBMBODF In Academia Intelligence is central to the human condition. Our abilities to consciously appreciate and critically assess the world have comprised our strength as a species. But today the body of knowledge studied by humans has become so expansive that we require individuals to rapidly specialize their studies, restricting the breadth of their interests in order to participate in the formal process of education. This approach confines us to a narrow through process and limited skill set which leads to conflicting perpectives of what constitutes as 'intelligence'. Post-secondary education rarely fosters a wellwell-rounded academic program; we'd like to provide an alternative perspective on knowledge to McGill's students. The idea behind this conference is that true intelligence entails an appreciation for diverse fields of knowledge and forms of intelligence. That by sharing our intellectual strengths and developing balanced perspectives, we better ourselves and the academic community we are a part of.

In the Individual McGill students are renowned for being voluntarily overworked hyper-achievers. And although productivity and graduate school aren't bad things, we often get caught up in what truly is a waste of time and what is healthy for our minds and bodies.

Sometimes we overwork, sometimes we obsess, and sometimes we just do absolutely nothing. Achieving balance at the individual level is a staple to personal happiness.

Whether it's through a stage-fighting workshop, or a master class on gender interaction, this conference hopes to inspire its delegates to try something new or to revisit a forgotten passion. There's always more to life; so while we're here, might as well get the most out of it.

In the Society With the past Canadian and American elections, it seems pretty relevant that balance within society is an appropriate section of our conference. What are our priorities as a society? What have we been neglecting and what have we been paying too much attention to? Where should our public funds be allocated, our human resources spread, and our passions devoted? Achieving balance at the societal level has been a fiery issue since civilization's inception and some would argue that we're no closer now than we were 4 thousand years ago. Either way, this conference hopes to dabble into some timeless philosophical, political, and social arguments, and - hopefully spark some new ones.

DPOUFOU Shifting away from the more traditional panel discussions and speeches, Ampersand puts emphasis on smaller and more interactive configurations. The goal is to foster deep reflection and connection through dialogue, experimental workshops, and sometimes even movement.

2 Keynotes (for everyone)

SUE JOHANSON - Talk Sex with Sue DAVID HATFIELD - A Comment on Balance Choose 1 of 4 workshops

STAGE COMBAT – Jean-François Gagnon GENDER COMMUNILOGUE – David Hatfield BALI-GAMELAN MUSIC – Giri Kedaton Balinese Music Ensemble YOGA & PHYSIOLOGY – Carina Raisman Choose 1 of 4 presentations

SCIENCE & ART – Dr. Ariel Fenster POLITICS OF PODCASTING – Jeremy Morris RELATIONSHIPS IN THE POST-MODERN GHOSTLAND – Stefan Samuel EXTRATERRESTRIAL LIFE – Dr. Robert Lamontagne an email will be sent to you with the link to register for your workshops and presentations, priority is given to people who purchased their tickets in advance

,FZOPUF The keynote addresses are meant to reflect the heart of our theme and principles. We’ll begin and end with a keynote, given by speakers who inspire our reflect our vision.

8PSLTIPQT These are 60 minute sessions where we apply theory to practice.

Workshop leaders, experts in their field, will lead the hands-on session during which delegates will develop concrete and applicable new skills and competencies.

1SFTFOUBUJPOT These 60 minute sessions are learning spaces that offer you the chance to learn and question various perspectives. You will be exposed to new knowledge, engaged in discussion, and encouraged to explore.

.BOJGFTUP

Introduced by the Canadian Millenium Foundation for their national ‘THINK AGAIN’ conferences, the Manifesto reflects the principles and vision that we hope to see in everyone that attends AMPERSAND - from delegates to staff, guest speakers to facilitators.

1. BLOW YOUR MIND. Think big, open your mind and imagine the possibilities. Allow yourself to be changed in ways you could never engineer.

2. SOAK IT UP. Blink and you’ll miss it. Be present, in the moment and absorb it all.

3. MAKE CONNECTIONS. Take advantage of this great network. Find common ground, build friendships and take ideas home.

4. COLLABORATE. COLLABOR Work together, share ideas and pick the brains of your peers. You are some of the brightest people in the world. Allow yourself to be surprised by those you would normally pass by.

5. PUMP UP THE VOLUME Speak your mind. Agree, disagree and ask absurd questions. Voice your curiosity.

.BOJGFTUP 6. WALK A MILE in someone else’s shoes. Listen deeply and seek to understand. Explore what you don’t know. Allow listening to deepen learning.

7. GO DEEP. Go beyond the rhetoric and get to the core co of the issue. Harvest ideas and their meanings. Be bold and take risks.

8. OWN IT. This is your conference. Take every opportunity that comes your way.

9. BE THE FUN YOU WISH TO HAVE IN THE WORLD. Life is serious enough as it is. Laugh from f your belly. Find the humour. It’s essential for gaining perspective.

10. CELEBRATE. Recognize the efforts and those of your peers. Build off successes and value your mistakes. Every step counts, dance as you move through the world.

4DIFEVMF 13.00 - Introduction by PAUL OLLIOF 13.10 - Keynote 1: DAVID HATFIELD 14.15 - First round of presentations and workshops.

15.15 - Time to Shmooze - Trottier

(Soulstice a cappella & Stefan Samuel live musical performance & refreshments)

16.00 - Second round of presentations and workshops.

17.00 - Time to Shmooze - Leacock (refreshments)

17.30 - Keynote 2: SUE JOHANSON

-PDBUJPOT SPVOE

Trottier 0060 - SCIENCE & ART Trottier 0070 - RELATIONSHIPS IN THE POST-MODERN GHOSTLAND Trottier 0080 - POLITICS OF PODCASTING Trottier 0090 - EXTRATERRESTRIAL LIFE SSMU Clubs Lounge (4th floor Shatner) - BALI-GAMELAN Shatner Ballroom - GENDER COMMUNILOGUE Shatner Ballroom - STAGE FIGHTING Shatner 302 - YOGA

-PDBUJPOT SPVOE

Trottier 0060 - SCIENCE & ART Trottier 0070 - RELATIONSHIPS IN THE POST-MODERN GHOSTLAND Trottier 0080 - POLITICS OF PODCASTING Trottier 0090 - EXTRATERRESTRIAL LIFE SSMU Clubs Lounge (4th floor Shatner) - BALI-GAMELAN Shatner B29 - GENDER COMMUNILOGUE Shatner B30- STAGE FIGHTING Lev Buckman - YOGA

4QFBLFS CJPT DPOUBDU Speaker biographies and workshop/presentation descriptions can be found on our website:

http://www.march-28.com ampersand@mcgillbasic.com Enjoy.