Join students and guests from around the world for an interactive discussion about how civil society engages democracy and citizenship from multiple points and perspectives.
Overview
Featuring guests from Toronto and Cape Town, the Fall 2021 Hart House Global Commons aims to truly reflect the various perspectives and contexts of democratic engagement and what it means to be an active citizen.
Joining us from South Africa is Ryland Fisher, an editor, journalist, author, and changemaker with over 40 years of experience in community organizing, media and social transformation. His recent book The South Africa We Want to Live In (2020), is a distillation of a series of public dialogues, identifying and outlining the challenges South Africa faces and exploring solutions for improving the many facets of life across the country.
Ryland will be joined by Melisa Bayon, the Interim Executive Director of Progress Toronto, a not-for-profit organization that advocates and organizes for a more democratic, socially just, and progressive city. Drawing on over 15 years of experience organizing in precarious sectors, Melisa will share her experiences, lessons, and some of the key considerations in active citizenship. University of Toronto student, Chan-Min Roh, moderates.
Format
Following the discussion, participants will have the opportunity to join small breakout groups with students from participating global locations, to discuss their own experiences and perspectives, and to engage in dialogue across their various contexts. Following the group discussions, participants will have the opportunity to share with our guests and engage in further conversation and dialogue. Don’t miss this essential opportunity for learning, connection and creation.
Speakers
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Cape Town, South AfricaRyland Fisher
Editor, Journalist, Columnist, Author
Ryland Fisher has 40 years of experience in the media industry as an editor, journalist, columnist, author, senior manager and executive. He runs a multi-disciplinary media company called Ikusasa Lethu Media (meaning our future).
He is the former Editor of the Cape Times and The New Age, and was assistant editor of the Sunday Times. He was one of the pioneers of community journalism in the 1980s. His experience extends to writing, editing, design, understanding the media landscape and project management, and he has worked across media platforms, including print, broadcast, online and events. He writes for various publications and works with media companies across the globe. Fisher is the convener of judges for the Vodacom Journalist of the Year Awards, arguably South Africa’s most prestigious award in the media industry. He is also a judge on the Standard Bank Sikuvile Journalism Awards.
Fisher has worked with and in corporates, academia and government. He is the author of Race (published in 2007), a book dealing with race and racism in post-apartheid South Africa. His first book, Making the Media Work for You (2002), provided insights into the media industry. His third book, on the history of the Atlantic Philanthropies, was published in June 2018.
Fisher undertakes projects in media and social transformation, and has lectured on transformation and race in several countries.
He has edited many books, magazines and newspaper supplements on topics such as Nelson Mandela, the National Development Plan, Empowerment, Corporate Social Investment and democracy in general.
Fisher is chairperson of the One City Events Company, which organizes the Cape Town Festival, which he initiated while editor of the Cape Times in 1999 as part of the ‘One City, Many Cultures’ project.
He is serving his second term on the Council of the University of the Free State.
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Toronto, CanadaMelisa Bayon
Interim Executive Director, Progress Toronto
Melisa Bayon is the Interim Executive Director of Progress Toronto. She brings fifteen years of organizing experience across North America in precarious sectors such as hotels, food service, casinos, and homecare. She believes in building power by bringing people together through on-the-ground and digital organizing in local communities.
Melisa immigrated to Canada with her siblings and single mom from Argentina at a young age. Their struggles motivated her to fight for justice, which she brings to her work at Progress Toronto.
Most recently, Melisa was the Director of Political Action & Outreach at the Ontario Federation of Labour where she led multiple issues-based and electoral campaigns across the province to take on Doug Ford and win. In 2017 she helped win employment law reforms in Ontario, in partnership with a diverse coalition of community and labour groups. She has fought to protect public services, invest in communities, and build progressive power by training thousands of people across Ontario to help thousands more take action.
Melisa brings her organizing experience to Progress Toronto, taking on the challenge of fighting for a more just, affordable, and progressive Toronto.
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Traditional Indigenous OpeningElder Josh Eshkawkogan
Josh is a descendent of Chief Louie Azawanimikii and is a member of the Thunderbird Clan, Wikwemikong Unceded Indian Reserve. As a pipe carrier and active member of the United Chiefs and Council of Mnido Mnising Elders Council, he enjoys attending and helping with traditional ceremonies. As the Elder in Residence for Kenjgewin Teg Educational Institute since 2013, he supports the spiritual and emotional needs of both students and staff for balance and wellness. Josh is an avid volunteer in his community, and enjoys coaching minor hockey, helping with cultural events, outdoor activities, and enjoys walks with nature.
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Student Host and ModeratorChan-Min Roh
Student
Chan is a third-year undergraduate pursuing a major in Contemporary Asian Studies and a double minor in South Asian Studies and Asian Canadian Studies. He is the Politics and Law Director for the 2021-22 Hart House Debates and Dialogues Student Committee. His research interests include citizenship, development, and the history of pro-democracy movements. As the moderator and host of the Global Commons event, he hopes to stimulate deeper dialogue on the future trajectories of democratic institutions and governance.
About the Global Commons
The Hart House Global Commons is an international dialogue space that connects students participating from multiple global locations to engage in real-time conversations about issues that are pressing and pertinent to everyone, regardless of place. We hope you will join us for a unique opportunity to connect across contexts, exchange dialogue and perspectives, and learn from each other—all without leaving your living space!
Community Supporters
Michael R. De Angelis & Family Global Innovation Fund.
Co-Presenter
International Partners
U of T Partners
