THIS EVENT IS NOW COMPLIMENTARY DUE TO OVERWHELMING SUPPORT OF OUR SPONSORS!

WORKSHOP & SYMPOSIUM

The Faculty of Environmental Studies (FES) at York University and the Arava Institute for Environmental Studies in Israel are holding a one day Research Workshop (November 1) and a one day public Symposium (November 2) at York University on “The water and energy nexus within a trans-boundary context: Middle Eastern and North American perspectives”.

The Faculty of Environmental Studies houses one of York’s largest research-based graduate programs in environmental issues. FES has earned an international reputation for its interdisciplinary approach to environmental research and teaching.

The Arava Institute is a leading environmental teaching and research program in the Middle East, preparing future Arab and Jewish leaders from the Middle East and around the world to cooperatively solve the region’s environmental challenges. Located in the heart of Israel’s Arava desert, the Arava Institute is a unique oasis of environmental education, research, and international cooperation and has an excellent track record in studying and trying to resolved transboundary issues.

The trans-boundary water-energy nexus was chosen to highlight the need for a balanced approach to socially and politically charged challenges. The Arava Institute specializes in trans-boundary cooperation in a region known for animosity between neighbors. Canada has also had to deal with conflicts over resources both with the United States and with indigenous peoples within Canada.

This 2 day event aims to 1) Broaden minds regarding both the scholarly ideas and possibilities for cooperation; 2) Promote positive and informed dialogue; 3) Develop joint projects between the Arava Institute, York University and other institutions.

The Research Forum and Symposium have been generously sponsored by: the Office of Vice-President Research & Innovation,York University, the Faculty of Environmental Studies at York University, the Arava Institute for Environmental Studies, the Israel and Golda Koschitzky Centre for Jewish Studies at York University, Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP, and Dianne Saxe.

DATE & LOCATION

Date:

• Research Forum (invitation only): Thursday, November 1, 2018; Time: 1:00pm - 4:00pm
• Public Symposium: Friday, November 2, 2018; Time: 8:30am - 5:30pm

Location: York University, 4700 Keele Street, Toronto, ON, M3J 1P3, Canada

Building/Room: Health, Nursing & Environmental Studies Building (HNE), 142; On-Campus Address: 104 Scholars Walk (# 31 on Campus Map)

REGISTRATION

• Research Forum: Free (by invitation only - For more information, contact Clive Lipchin at clivearava@gmail.com)
• Symposium: Free - All are welcome​!  Due to the overwhelming support of our donors we are no able to offer complimentary admission for this event!  Your registration includes light refreshments and lunch.
• REGISTRATION DEADLINE: You can register for the Symposium until October 29, 2018
• Registration Link: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/the-water-and-energy-nexus-within-a-trans-boundary-context-middle-eastern-and-north-american-tickets-47928857503 

RESEARCH FORUM

DAY 1 - FORMAT TBD

This invitation-only Research Forum will include faculty and professionals in the water and energy nexus field interested in presenting their specific research and developing new collaborative research projects.

Bringing together, in-person, a diverse, interdisciplinary, multi-national group of scientists and researchers, from the Middle East and Canada, engaged in all perspectives relating to the water-energy nexus, is key to fostering future teams that can ultimately advance local-to-global solutions to address both water and energy challenges around the world.

For more information, contact Clive Lipchin at clivearava@gmail.com

 

SYMPOSIUM PROGRAM

DAY 2 - PRELIMINARY FORMAT (SUBJECT TO CHANGE)

8:30-9:00  Registration and refreshments 

9:00- 9:30 Welcome and Opening Remarks 

9:30:10:45 Plenary Session 1

Regional and Global Perspectives on Transboundary Institutional Arrangements

Speakers:

• Middle East speaker - TBD
• Canada-US International Joint Commission (Canadian section, confirmed, to be named)

Open discussion

10:40-11:00 Coffee break

11:00-12:15 Plenary Session 2

Regional and Global Perspectives on Transboundary Water Issues: Wastewater management: Israel/Palestine and Canada/US

Speakers:

• Monther Hind (General Manager of Palestine Wastewater Engineers Group, Palestinian Territory): ‘Water-food-energy nexus’
• Clive Lipchin (Arava Institute, Israel): ‘Decentralized wastewater treatment and reuse as a means to mitigate transboundary wastewater conflicts between Israel and Palestine’

Open discussion

12:10-13:00 Lunch

13:00-14:15 Panel Session 3:

Regional and Global Perspectives on Transboundary Energy Issues

Speakers:

• Tareq Abu Hamed (Arava Institute, Israel): ): ‘Renewable energy as a catalyst for better shared environment and regional development’
• Asaf Zohar (Trent University, Canada): ‘Wise practices in sustainable energy development: Bringing together Indigenous and Western knowledges’
• Mark Winfield (York University, Canada): ‘Transboundary energy and water resources management: The case of Niagara Falls’

Open discussion

14:15-15:30 Plenary Session 4

Decision-making Under Conditions of Political and Environmental Uncertainties

Speakers: 

• Prof Itay Fishhendler (Hebrew University, Israel): ‘Natural resources as a punitive measure: the Israeli- Palestinian experience’
  North American speaker - TBD

Open discussion

15:25-15:45 Coffee break

15:45-17:00 Plenary Session 5

Perspectives from Arava alumni: Water & Energy Security and Conflict  

Speakers:

• Arava alumni speaker - Suleiman Halasah: ‘Title to be announced’
• Arava alumni speaker - Mohammad Alhroub: ‘Using sustainable agriculture to build bridges in a conflict zone: Case study of Wadi Fuqin Village’

Open discussion

17:00-17:15 closing remarks

Symposium organizer: Lewis Molot, lmolot@yorku.ca

HOW TO GET HERE

By public transport

There are many transit options to York University’s Keele campus; the two new TTC subway stations on campus have enhanced access and expanded our connections across the GTA. Several buses and transit companies are routed through the campus or have express services to York. For specific information visit: http://maps.info.yorku.ca/keele-campus/keele-transit-directions/

By car

The campus is located west of Keele Street, north of Finch Avenue, east of Jane Street and south of Steeles Avenue. Detailed driving directions can be found here: http://maps.info.yorku.ca/keele-campus/keele-driving-directions/

Parking

Visitor parking is available in the Arboretum Parking Garage (#80 on map).  Entrance to the parking garage is located on Arboretum Lane.  Parking Cost: $2.50/half-hour $20.00 maximum.

YorkU Campus Map

http://maps.info.yorku.ca/files/2013/02/KEELE_Map_Colour.pdf

ACCOMMODATION

York University

We recommend that guests stay at the Executive Learning Centre (ELC). Located on York University’s Keele campus in Toronto, the ELC is a world-class modern learning facility with a self-contained 11-storey hotel.

Executive Learning Centre Schulich
School of Business (56 Fine Arts Road)
York University
4700 Keele Street
Toronto, ON M3J 1P3
Website: http://www.acc-schulichexecutiveconferencecentre.com/

Phone Number: 416-650-8300
Reservations Email: reservations@schulich.yorku.ca

Downtown Toronto

Downtown Toronto offers many accommodation options for all budgets and tastes. We recommend booking as early as possible to avoid higher rates, and staying close to St. George Subway Station, in The Annex, as it has direct access to both subway
lines, facilitating the commute to York University, to Union Station, and to the airport. There are many Bed and Breakfasts in this central neighbourhood, and you can also check popular sites such as Airbnb.