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CCI Symposium

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In January 2023, McMaster University assumed the role of Institutional Lead for the Canada-Caribbean Institute (CCI) that was founded in 2020 with Brock University as the Institutional Lead.

The Canada-Caribbean Institute was established with the goal of positively contributing to the quality of life of those living in Canada and the Caribbean.

The mission of the Institute is to connect scholars from across Canada and the Caribbean to collaborate on important social, environmental, and economic issues that are vital to the shared prosperity and advancement of both regions.

For additional information on the CCI, please visit the CCI website.

This symposium aims to bring together researchers, students, scholars, practitioners, policymakers, and stakeholders from across Canada and the Caribbean to explore innovative solutions to mitigate the growing impacts of the climate crisis. From environmental in/justice, health, housing and food security, to addressing climate vulnerabilities, enhancing climate resilience, and promoting the adoption of alternative energy sources, this year’s CCI Research Symposium will offer novel ideas and insights into how, we can together address some of the world’s most pressing climate challenges.

Register today using the code: CCIEVENT2024

Instructions for registering

Deadline to register is 5pm October 3, 2024!

McMaster University
L.R. Wilson Hall
1280 Main Street West
Hamilton, ON L8S 4L8
Canada

 

Event schedule

 FULL PROGRAM

 Wednesday, 16th October

 9:30–3:30PM             Symposium Attendee Tours & Activities

 

LRW Concert Hall

5:30–6:00PM             Registration

 6:00–6:30PM             Welcome & Opening Remarks

          • President David Farrar, McMaster University, CCI Co-Chair
          • President Gervan Fearon, George Brown College, CCI Co-Founder and Past CCI Co-Chair
          • Opening Keynote, Honourable Mia Amor Mottley, SC, MP – Prime Minister of Barbados
          • Keynote, Senator Julie Lashell Adderley, President of The Senate of The Bahamas, Climate Advocate

 6:30–7:00PM              Q&A and Discussion/Panel (Interactive)

          • Elizabeth Thompson, Barbados’ Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary with Responsibility for Climate Change, Small Island Developing States and Law of the Sea
          • Senator Julie Lashell Adderley, President of The Senate of The Bahamas, Climate Advocate
          • Elon Cadogan, National Project Coordinator, Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (CCCCC)

 7:00–8:30 PM             Reception and Cocktail Mixer

 

THURSDAY, 17th OCTOBER

LRW Concert Hall

 8:00–9:00AM              Registration & Breakfast

 9:00–9:30AM              Welcome & Opening Remarks

          • President David Farrar, McMaster University, CCI Co-Chair
          • President Lincoln Edwards, Northern Caribbean University, CCI Co-Chair
          • Pro-Vice Chancelor Sandrea Maynard,  University of the West Indies, Mona

 9:30-10:00AM             Plenary Keynote Speaker

          • Elizabeth Thompson, Barbados’ Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary with Responsibility for Climate Change, Small Island Developing States and Law of the Sea

10:00-10:30AM           Panel Discussion and Q&A

          • Senator Julie Lashell Adderley, President of The Senate of The Bahamas
          • Elon Cadogan, National Project Coordinator, Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (CCCCC)

 10:30–10:45 AM          Morning Break

 10:45–12:00 PM          Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies

          • LiDAR and RGB-based methods with crown-based allometric equations to estimate biomass, Kangyu So, McMaster University 
          • Enhancing Climate Vulnerability Assessments in the Caribbean: A Machine Learning Approach to Improving Multidimensional Vulnerability Indices, Andrew Kemp, McGill University
          • Educating for Future Decision-Makers: Use of Climate Solutions Simulation as an Education Tool, Kay-Ann Williams, George Brown College 
          • Exploring African perspectives on Climate Geoengineering engagement: A System Governance Approach, Hosea Patrick, McMaster University 
          • Canadian Wildfires and Carbon Emissions, Zilong Zhong, McMaster University

12:00–12:30 PM        Session Wrap–up and Q & A

12:30–1:30 PM          Lunch Break

 1:30PM                      Keynote Speaker

        • Dave Tucker, Chief Nuclear Officer & Associate VP Nuclear, McMaster University
        • McMaster Net Zero Community Vision
          • Dr. John Preston, Nuclear Strategic Advisor to the VP Research, McMaster University
          • An introduction to Small Modular Reactor
          • Dr. Jim Cotton, McMaster University
          • Thermal Networks & Energy Harvesting

 2:10-2:30PM               Session Wrap-up and Q & A

 2:30-3:10PM               Alternative Energy Technologies and Solutions

          • Experimental investigation of humified hydrogen in Solid Oxide Fuel Cells, Mercy Budu, McMaster University
          • Innovation, Prosperity, Sustainability, Vibrancy: Partnerships for the Future, Krista Holmes, George Brown College
          • Transition Towards De-Carbonization in the Logistics Sector: Case Study of Hydrogen-Based Transportation Management Systems and Refrigeration Units, Aysegul Ozbakir Acimert, George Brown College
          • Caribbean Regional Electricity Grid Interconnection and Renewable Energy Scaling (CREGI-RES), Dr. Sherine Ibrahim, Caribbean Development Bank
          • Optimizing hydrogen production through catalytic pyrolysis using Physics-Informed Neural Networks, Vishal Persaud, Florida International University

3:10–3:30PM               Session Wrap–up and Q & A

 3:30–3:45PM              Tea-Time Break

 3:45–5:00PM               Health and Climate Change

          • Racism and urban environmental stress: creating a mental health crisis for Black youth, Beverly-Jean Daniel, McMaster University
          • Climate Change on Pregnancy Outcomes, Vedha Thilagarajan, McMaster University
          • Climate Resilience and Sustainable Development: Building Resilient and Healthy Communities and Infrastructure Systems, Carlos Avendano, George Brown College
          • Climate Migration and Health Issues: Strengthening Strategies for Climate-Resilient Public Health Systems, Dr. Zaida Rahaman, Brock University

5:00–5:30PM               Session Wrap–up and Q & A

5:30–5:45PM               Break

5:45–7:00PM              Poster Session & Poster Judging: LRW 1055 

5:45–7:00PM               “Wine and Cheese” Reception: LRW Waller Lobby

 

FRIDAY, 18TH OCTOBER

LRW Concert Hall

8:00–8:45AM              Registration & Breakfast

        • Opening Keynote, Honourable Mia Amor Mottley, SC, MP – Prime Minister of Barbados

8:45–9:45AM              Youth Panel – Climate Justice

          • Coral Reef Conservation in Barbados, Trevon Callender, CORALL and The UWI Cave Hill, Barbados
          • Building resilient and healthy communities and infrastructure systems, Crystal Roberts, Crystal Clear Initiative of Trinidad & Tobago 
          • Feasibility of Small-Scale Hydroelectric Projects in Rural Jamaica, Getinella B. Daley, University of Technology, Jamaica 
          • Importance of Indigenous knowledge to address climate crisis in Central America, Sheena Zuniga, National Garifuna Council of Belize
          • Title TBD, Lulwama Mulalu, McMaster University

9:45–10:15AM            Panel Discussion and Question Period

10:15–10:30AM          Morning Break

10:30–11:30AM          Climate Resilience and Sustainable Development I

          • KEYNOTE – Climate change and impacts on biodiversity
          • Dr. Swanne Gordon, Cornell University 
          • Climate Resilience and Sustainable Development: Nature Based Solutions, Dr. Elon Cadogan, Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre
          •  Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies, Dr. Angela Alleyne, UWI Cave Hill, Barbados 
          • Towards Building Community Resilience: Examining disaster literacy levels of residents in communities affected by repeated flooding in Trinidad and Tobago, Dr. Cheryl-Ann S. Boodram, UWI St. Augustine, Trinidad & Tobago 
          • Innovative approaches to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, Tammy B. Vaillancourt, George Brown College

11:30–12:00 PM          Session Wrap-up and Q&A

12:00–1:00 PM            Lunch Break 

1:00–1:45 PM              Climate Resilience and Sustainable Development II

          • Enhancing Climate resilience in Small Scale farming through AI and blockchain integration, Bevon Chadel Charles, Akata Farms, Grenada 
          • Nutrition Education and Community Health Workers for prevention of Non-communicable Diseases, and Food is Medicine in Guyana, Dipika Desai, McMaster University

1:45–2:15 PM              Session Wrap-up and Q&A

 2:15–2:30 PM              Tea-Time Break

 2:30–3:00 PM              Panel: Canada-CARICOM relations and Climate for the Future 2.0

          • Canada-CARICOM Strategic partnership: Free Trade Agreement, Dustin Fergusson-Vaux, University of Waterloo
          • Caribbean Canada Leaders Dialogue, Hemi Mitic

3:00–3:30PM               Panel Discussion and Q&A

3:30–5:30PM               CCI Open Board Meeting & Town Hall

 

Great House, AMH

7:00–10:00 PM            Closing Reception, Awards and Entertainment

Accommodation

There will be complimentary ground transportation to-and-from hotels and McMaster University

Homewood Suites by Hilton Learn more

Book rooms by October 2nd to receive discount!

Hampton Inn by Hilton Learn more

Book rooms by October 1st to receive discount!

Information Box Group

CCI Research Symposium Sponsor Learn More

We want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Caribbean Development Bank for their generous support.

Your commitment to the Caribbean and its youth allowed the Canada-Caribbean Institute (CCI) to achieve its Research Symposium  goals and make a positive impact. Thank you for being a vital part of the 3rd Annual Canada-Caribbean Institute Research Symposium!

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Most people need a visa or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to travel to Canada – not both. Some people may only need their valid passport.

Find out if you need a visa to travel to Canada

If you require a visa to come to Canada to attend the conference, please apply and complete biometrics as soon as possible! If you fall into this category, please let us know once you have submitted your visa application. 

Contact the Canada-Caribbean Institute