La semaine dernière notre merveilleuse Anna vous a introduit à EFUT, le club français de l’UofT. Aujourd’hui je voudrais vous parler d’une autre organisation francophone dont vous n’avez pas peut-être entendu. Savez-vous ce que c’est la SPECQUE?

Mes chers amis, la SPECQUE c’est la Simulation du parlement européen Canada-Québec-Europe. Ne vous laissez pas être détournés par le mot “parliament” (ou “simulation”, ou quoi que ce soit). En fait la SPECQUE présente à chacun une opportunité inoubliable de pousser ses limites, apprendre beacoup sur le monde et les actualités, et finalement voyager et rencontrer des gens inspirants!

Il s’agit d’une semaine intense passée en débats, en commissions, en sessions plénières…on dort peu, on boit beaucoup de caffé…On joue le rôle d’un eurodéputé au sein du parlement européen, ou bien un commissaire qui propose une pièce de législation, ou un rapporteur qui la critique dans son rapport. On peut également être un lobbyiste, un journaliste, un photographe, le président de commission – il y a plein de rôles pour tous les goûts! Donc si vous vous intéressez aux questions de politique européen, la SPECQUE est pour vous!

Elle est peut-être plus chère aux canadiens qu’aux autres, parce que elle a été fondée au Québec en 1998. C’est vrai, la simulation du parlement européen a été proposée par une étudiante de l’Université Laval. La SPECQUE a lieu dans un endroit different chaque an, alternativement en Europe et au Canada. Cet été la ville hôte était Luxembourg, tandis qu’en 2012 Montréal aura ce privilège.

Voilà ce que le site web officiel de la SPECQUE en dit:

“En tant que simulation parlementaire, la SPECQUE permet à ses participants de se développer. Les qualités oratoires, le sens de l’initiative et de la négociation, l’art de la persuasion ainsi que la capacité à analyser en profondeur des questions sensibles, et les aborder sous un angle législatif, sont certaines compétences que la SPECQUE permet de cultiver. La Simulation permet aussi à ses participants d’élargir leurs horizons par la découverte de jeunes issus de milieux et de cultures différentes. Cette découverte, et l’ouverture d’esprit qui en découle, sont d’une valeur inestimable dans le contexte de mondialisation que nous connaissons actuellement.”

Je pourrai ajouter de ma part que je n’aurai jamais imaginé combien la SPECQUE pourrait être intéressante, stimulante et comment elle peut créer une dépendence. Si on y participe une fois, on veut retourner, c’est sûr!

Alors, si vous croyez que la SPECQUE c’est pour vous, contactez-moi pour plus de détails.

Le batîment de la commission européenne où la SPECQUE se déroulait cet été. Je mens pas quand je dis que c’est impressionnant!

Post written by Kara Naklicki.

U of T Greens is a political advocacy club on campus that is affiliated with the Green Party of Canada and of Ontario. However, our primary concern is not converting every U of T student to ‘Green’, but doing our best to encourage every student to become more politically aware and especially to vote.

When meetings happen, they are usually e-meetings focused around either planning for specific events or discussion in response to political factors (ex. the dropping of the writ in the federal election, election day, etc.). Items of discussion include planning different events and approaches to canvassing in order to get students more politically engaged, aware of the Green Party, and excited to vote in upcoming elections. We frame political issues through a ‘Green’ perspective, where priorities include, but are not limited to: sustainable energy; representation of women and other minorities in politics; accessible education and healthcare; public transit; and a economy focused on efficiency and innovation.

This year, U of T Greens organized events that included a documentary night screening environmental/social justice piece Wasteland, as well as a meet-the-candidate pub night. Members of the Greens also participated in U of T’s Vote Mob (video).

U of T Greens is currently working with the Green Party of Ontario to prepare for the upcoming provincial election. Some events on the horizon include an informal pub-style political forum where students of all political leanings can meet and debate local Green candidates (late September), as well as a VIP fundraiser reception and dinner with Elizabeth May (early September) for which we are hoping to have student-priced tickets available.

For more information, please visit our website. If you have any further questions or would like to get involved, feel free to email the group or contact me directly.

Yesterday, Canadians were shocked by the news that Jack Layton, leader of the New Democratic Party of Canada and the official opposition, passed away from cancer. As a member of ‘Laytontown’, I have no doubt that the loss of his indomitable and optimistic presence is deeply felt by every resident of the riding, regardless of political conviction.

I remember the election in 2004, when the winds of change had finally brought him to be the Member of Parliament for our riding. I was still young then and, as far as I could remember, many people were fed up with the previous Liberal MP who didn’t seem to be doing anything for us. Since then, it has felt as though our riding could vote nothing but NDP.

While I didn’t have a good understanding of political ideology when I was young, I did know that Jack had beliefs that were very similar to the ones we were taught in school. Our neighbourhood believed in the beauty of diversity and the value of respect for all. In grade five, I remember having trouble sleeping at night, troubled by the fact that other people didn’t have the rights and comforts that we enjoyed, and that we were ruining ourselves by ruining the environment. Jack Layton’s vision for the future seemed to fit with the values that we grew up with and we firmly believed that Jack was someone who could represent us well and bring about that ideal future of equality, sustainability, and hope.

At the same time, it seemed as though Jack really understood the character of the riding. Although it is part of the largest city in Canada, the neighbourhood in which I grew up had the good qualities of a small town – you knew who your neighbours were and you would help each other at the best and worst of times. It was always a comfort to know that, no matter what happened, your neighbours were there for you, even if they weren’t family or even close friends. In that sense, Jack was always there for us, despite his busy career as leader of the NDP. He attended every one of our Canada Day celebrations in the local park and I once had the fortune of shaking his hand at a local charity auction. He gave my friends and I great praise for being volunteers at a community event and chatted with the attendees like they were old friends. At the same event, the organizers informed him of another upcoming event, and he pulled out his Blackberry and noted it down in his calendar. He said that, although he may not be able to attend the entire event, he would try to come. Later in the year, one of the staff, who is a close friend, said that Jack did attend a portion of the event as promised.

Jack Layton was truly a great man who gave us reason to believe that the world could be changed for the better. He was an optimist, a leader with integrity, a fighter, and an affable politician (something that is almost an oxymoron) who fought valiantly against all odds to try to make Canada, and the world, a better place. His passion and commitment to his work will always be remembered and appreciated.

Rest in peace, Jack Layton, you will be missed.

Read Jack Layton’s final letter to Canadians here.

This week on the web: Students chalk up the streets of Queen’s Park to express their dissent of the recent tuition hike (thanks McGuinty, you’re a pal), the archaeologists of U of T’s Tayinat Archaeological Project discover the gates of an ancient citadel, and some good ol’ ramblings of U of T students brought to you by Tumblr. (more…)

He seems nice.

If you haven’t already heard, Michael Ignatieff is coming to U of T. Starting July 1, he will be a senior resident at Massey College for a one year term. Those of you in Law, Political Science, the Munk School of Global Affairs or the School of Public Policy and Governance may have a chance to take one of his classes.

Although I’m not in any of those faculties, I am excited. He is a scholar-turned-politician-turned-scholar. He’s got tons of experience in and out of the classroom, which means that classes are probably going to be very, very interesting. Think about it: we’re having a world-class professor come teach us – he’s taught at Harvard and Cambridge! No one can say no to stellar faculty. I hope that he not only lectures, but also facilitates discussion and encourages debate between his students.

That being said, I imagine him as being a hard marker. I definitely would not want him to mark my paper.

What do you think? Are you Law/Poli Sci/Global Affairs/Public Policy students excited?

In case you didn’t know, this will be the 4th election in 7 years. By now, I’m sure a lot of people are frustrated with having to vote, knowing that it’s probable that very little will change. This is one of the major reasons why voter turnout was at a historic low at the last election. I distinctly remembering the low morale during that time and the cynicism at our own elections, especially when we could compare all of our candidates and their attack ads with all of the positive campaigning that was going on in the States. It might have been the only time in my life I wished I was American.

In any case, you could ask, well, what does this have to do with student life? Well, Rick Mercer makes a fair point in this rant:

And when he mentions that point about the senior homes (at 1:10), here’s one of the pictures of Elections Campaign Day 3 on the CBC website:

So on May 2nd, vote!