SuperConference 2019: A resounding success!

On February 14, 2019, Ontario EcoSchools hosted its largest-ever SuperConference at York University. In the expansive rooms of the beautiful New Student Centre, nearly 400 attendees, including 165 youth and a plethora of EcoExhibitors, congregated to embark on a day of environmental learning, knowledge exchange, and action.

The day before on February 13, an exciting satellite session was also held at York University. The #BeWasteFree Youth Action Forum was an opportunity for students to attend a day of learning about the circular economy and the life cycles of products. Delivered to 44 youth by Ecosource, Bag2School, and the Region of Peel, with support from Cascades and Edge Imaging, activities consisted of panel discussions, brainstorm sessions, and hands-on workshops.

The main SuperConference event on February 14 began with an address by Elder Norma Jacobs, who spoke about our inherent connection to the land and our environment, how we must give thanks to nature for providing us with the resources upon which we’ve built our lives, and how caring for nature in return is our greatest responsibility.

  • Ready to welcome students to the #BeWasteFree Youth Action Forum on February 13, 2019.
  • Attendees settle in to the first presentation with breakfast.
  • Tania Cheng, Associate Director of Ontario EcoSchools, welcomes attendees and introduces the topic of the day: transitioning to a circular economy.
  • Presented by our partners at Ecosource, students are tasked with crafting solutions to questions about the life cycles of products as posed in a given case study.
  • Presenters from Bag2School, the Region of Peel, and Ecosource answer students’ questions in a panel discussion.
  • Students and their teacher from Milliken Mills High School pose for a photo at the Youth Action Forum.
  • In between bouts of sunshine and snow, an outdoor workshop takes place outside York University’s New Student Centre, the hub of SuperConference 2019.
  • A packed auditorium listens intently to opening keynote speaker Slater Jewell-Kemker deliver a passionate call for climate change action.
  • Ontario EcoSchools’ Executive Director Lindsay Bunce and Slater Jewell-Kemker pose for a photo.
  • Two volunteers from SuperConference supporter Cascades exchange an enthusiastic high-five. The energy is palpable!
  • Tim Leduc from Wilfrid Laurier University (right) answers audience questions during his workshop “Decolonizing Education and Becoming an Ally.”
  • Attendees listen to a presentation in one of the New Student Centre’s sunny workshop rooms.
  • The Native Canadian Centre of Toronto’s table in the EcoExhibitor space is filled with hands-on learning resources and programs for youth.
  • An amazing vegetarian lunch of veggie burgers and bean and grain salads is served up. The overwhelming feedback? “YUM!”
  • Educators pose for a quick photo before an afternoon workshop begins.
  • Students explore the EcoExhibitor space between workshops.
  • Youth presenters Emmalee Frketich and Chyler Sewell from the Westmount Secondary School EcoNinjas deliver their hilarious workshop “Ninja Training: The Ultimate Guide to Environmental Activism.” One of their tips: “Ninjas don’t leave footprints.”
  • Students and an educator from École secondaire Ronald-Marion present on their approach to building environmental lessons into all subjects in school.
  • GreenLearning poses for a quick photo at their booth in the EcoExhibitor space.
  • Kathy Nguyen from WWF-Canada engages with a student during a workshop on environmental artwork in the classroom.
  • Haley Higdon and Rosa Na from Natural Curiosity engage with attendees in their workshop, “The Importance of Indigenous Perspectives in Fostering Lifelong Environmental Leadership.”
  • The entire SuperConference was made carbon neutral through contributions from Walker Environmental, who collected data on how many people attended the conference and their modes of transportation to and from the venue.
  • An enthusiastic Megan Leslie, President and CEO of WWF-Canada, delivers an incredible closing keynote on the state of Canada’s wildlife and biodiversity, the serious challenges in recovery ahead, and how there is hope for for the future through today’s youth.
  • Thank you to our generous supporters for making SuperConference 2019 possible!

Youth filmmaker Slater Jewell-Kemker delivered an opening keynote speech in which she spoke about Youth Unstoppable, a documentary chronicling her climate activism around the world unfolding over ten years of her life. Slater’s words empowered the crowd to create solutions and harness the talents of youth to drive positive change; simply put, “Love is the movement.”

Attendees were invited to pursue a choose-your-own-adventure schedule through the SuperConference, with 30 workshops available overall. Three of these were delivered in French, and three took place outside as an immersive experience in nature.

The closing keynote was delivered by WWF-Canada President and CEO, Megan Leslie. Her address focused on the pressing issues of climate change, the loss of habitat for wildlife, and how students and youth hold the key to recovery and a healthy and resilient future. “Science has the answers, but we need people to lead the way.”

In a cyclical fashion, the day closed as it began, with an address by Elder Norma Jacobs. It was a moving and inspiring conclusion: “We take everything we’ve learned today, all of the teachings, conversations and gratitude, and put them in a bundle. We take it back to our communities, unwrap it, and see how we can use it to create change.”

Curious about the workshop line-up and which ENGOs and organizations were involved? Check out the schedule here. Presentations are now available online and all other details on the day can be found on the SuperConference website.

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