About Changemakers
Most of us wish we lived in a more just and equitable world, and many have given careful thought to what constructive change might look like. But those who both think about and then actively devote their lives to effecting meaningful and sustainable change in the interests of justice and equity are sadly few and far between.
Join Hart House Conversations for a series of fireside-style chats between Hart House Warden John Monahan and inspiring folks whose discontent with the status quo propels them to be the change they want to see in the world. The series is named after them: we call it “Changemakers.”
About the Event
Democracy is facing a host of challenges around the world. They include authoritarian leaders, a growing divide between haves and have-nots, and notably declining trust in public institutions.
Even formerly indisputable facts are being disputed, and “Truth” has become a relative concept. At the same time, intergenerational social movements fighting for racial equality, climate justice and Indigenous rights are reshaping our understanding of what effective political action looks like.
Is Canada somehow immune from these phenomena? Changemaker Sabreena Delhon thinks not. That is why she and her colleagues are working so hard to make Canadian democracy stronger, more resilient and more engaging for everyone. Join us for this essential conversation about what it means to live and thrive in Canada today.
Speakers
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HostJohn Monahan
Warden, Hart House
John Monahan has been the Warden (ie. chief executive officer) of Hart House at the University of Toronto since 2015. He is a Senior Fellow of Massey College and is an appointed Chair of the university’s Academic Appeals Committee. He also served on the Steering Committee for the University of Toronto Response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada.
Before arriving at Hart House, John was the inaugural Executive Director of the Mosaic Institute and a national and international thought-leader on confronting inter-community conflict and promoting social cohesion through education, dialogue and grassroots peacebuilding. Previously, John practised labour, employment and human rights law with Fasken; led the strategic development and oversight of Ontario’s international network of trade and investment offices; served as inaugural Director of the Ontario Investment and Trade Centre in downtown Toronto; and was posted to the Canadian Consulate-General in New York as Consul (Economic Affairs-Ontario) in the aftermath of 9/11. He holds a BA in International Relations from Trinity College, a JD from the University of Toronto, and an MPA from Dalhousie University. He also received a diploma in French language and civilization from l’Université des Sciences Humaines de Strasbourg and studied law at l’Université Panthéon-Assas in Paris.
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Guest SpeakerSabreena Delhon
Executive Director, The Samara Centre for Democracy
Sabreena has directed provincial research studies that examine public perceptions of the justice system. Results have informed the work of Ontario’s Ministry of the Attorney General and are required reading in access to justice courses at law schools across Canada.
In 2016, Delhon conceived, coordinated and launched the first annual Access to Justice Week, bringing together government, community and justice-sector partners to examine complex issues such as digital inclusion, Indigenous child welfare and public legal education from new perspectives. A2J Week events attracted more than 650 attendees to hear from 150 leading speakers, generated earned media coverage in 25 outlets across digital, print and broadcast outlets, and was recognized by the Attorney General of Ontario, Federal Justice Minister and Chief Justice of Canada. The A2J Week framework has since been adopted by other regions across the country.
Delhon created and hosted Architects of Justice, Canada’s first narrative-form podcast on current topics and issues in the access to justice sector. Designed to spark urgent conversations both within the legal profession and beyond, its episodes have been downloaded thousands of times. It is the first podcast to be accredited by the Law Society of Ontario.
Delhon frequently writes about diversity and has been featured on CBC Radio’s The Sunday Edition and various legal blogs. She is a Fellow at Simon Fraser University’s Morris J. Wosk Centre for Dialogue and Massey College. Delhon holds an M.A. in Sociology from Dalhousie University and a B.A. in Sociology from the University of Alberta.
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