Unpacking Development

Three hot docs so far: Fig Trees, Sergio and Reporter.  All three take on global issues, HIV/AIDS, humanitarianism, and compassion fatigue, respectively.  It turns out that they don’t really focus on these issues, but rather on 4 individuals that are trying to do something about them: two activists, a humanitarian and a New York Times [...]

If you’re wondering what to do in Toronto over the next couple of weeks, the answer is watch documentary films.  Opening this week, the annual Hot Docs film festival offers plenty for the development-interested.  Highlights from this year’s lineup include AIDS activism, high profile humanitarians, questions about who owns poverty, migrant journeys, analysis of neoliberalism, [...]

I’m not very deep. When I go to art exhibits, I need to read the explanations. So last week, when I headed to the Canadian Art Reel Artists Film Festival screening of Art AIDS and the Fin de Siecle, I was very excited when it began to uncover the world of so-called “AIDS Artists.” The [...]

This week’s a busy week with lots of diverse events, including some dealing with technology and volunteerism, media for social change, art and AIDS, just to name a few. Volunteer Toronto is hosting a film evening on Thursday with a new British film that asks questions about how Web 2.0 technology can change democracy and [...]

My top picks for Toronto’s charity events this week are targeting two specific demographics: geeks and singles. On Thursday, a world-wide Twestival for Charity: Water will take place at Toronto’s Circa nightclub. The party will be facilitated by Twitter, a micro-blogging site that allows you to post status updates like you would on Facebook. According [...]

Living in Cobourg, a small rural community east of Toronto, over the past year I have found out that the occurrence of development events is much less frequent then when I was living in the city. Looking into what is going on in Northumberland County and the Kawartha’s, I came across ReFrame the Peterborough International [...]

On the topic of international health rockstars (see previous post on Paul Farmer), I’m very excited to finally be heading to see Triage: Dr. James Orbinski’s Humanitarian Dilemma this Saturday.  I missed it at Hot Docs, and some other pre-screenings, but now that it’s coming to theatres I’m all set to go.  Some friends and [...]

The Student University Network for Social and International Health (SUNSIH) Conference started this Friday with a documentary screening of Angels in the Dust, a film about a group that supports orphans in South Africa.  I’ve seen several heart reandering call-to-action docs over the past few years, but this one stood out because of its focus [...]

OXFAM Hunger BanquetThe Oxfam Toronto Community Group is proud to host an Oxfam Hunger Banquet as part of World Food Day. The banquet aims to engage the public on the problems of global hunger. The Huger Banquet will feature entertainment from talented Toronto cultural performers, guest speakers on food…Wednesday, Oct 15 – 7pm to 10pm [...]

I’ve started a google calender here with listings of events in and around Toronto that deal with international issues, from health to human rights.  They include fundraisers, speakers, movies, art exhibits, galas, and anything else that fits, and its updated every week. Design for the other 90%The Professional Gallery of the Ontario College of Art [...]