SACPA Session - Hurricane Devastation in Dominica: The New Normal? Responsibilities?

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The Southern Alberta Council on Public Affairs (SACPA) presents a session discussing the devastating effects of Hurricane Maria on Dominica.

Hurricane Devastation in Dominica: The New Normal? Responsibilities?

Date:                    Thursday, October 18, 2018
Time:                    Doors open 11:30 a.m., Presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 p.m.
Location:              Royal Canadian Legion (north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge
Cost:                    $14 buffet lunch with dessert/coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required

With 260 km/h maximum sustained wind speeds, Category 5 Hurricane Maria tore through Dominica on September 18, 2017, causing mass destruction and directly affecting some 73,000 people (the entire population). Sixty-five deaths in Dominica were attributed to Hurricane Maria. Critical infrastructure – including schools, hospitals, electrical lines, houses, public buildings and government offices, and private structures key to the economy and people’s livelihoods – was significantly damaged. Beyond the immediate impact in Dominica, the 2017 hurricane season highlighted existing gaps in the overall disaster preparedness and resilience levels – as well as forcing queries on north/south responsibilities.

Hypolite and his school, Castle Bruce Secondary School, survived Maria – the 10th most intensive Atlantic hurricane on record. However, the results and challenges, including on the education system, were dramatic. Not only were buildings fully lost or significantly damaged, virtually all educational resources were consumed by Maria and its aftermath.

The IT for Dominica Foundation (www.itfordominica.com), an Alberta-based program has been working with the Ministry of Education in the Commonwealth of Dominica for nearly 20 years supporting educators integrating information technology (IT) into classroom settings. This has occurred through provision of technologies (in the early 2000s), installation, technical supports and professional development. The program has recently increased its efforts in the interest of student learning post Hurricane Maria.

Hurricane Maria has highlighted key questions, “What is our responsibility as northern neighbours – and possibly as creators of global warming/climate change – in supporting southern neighbours who face the wrath of warming ocean temperatures?” The speakers will address the issues at hand.

Speakers:             Steve Hypolite and Maurice Hollingsworth

Steve Hypolite is Principal of Castle Bruce Secondary School, one of 15 secondary schools in the Commonwealth of Dominica. His progressive approaches to school leadership has led to implementing change through UNICEF’s Child Friendly School (CFS) and he is now working closely with the IT for Dominica Foundation and the Alberta Technology Leaders in Education. Hypolite holds a Bachelor in Educational Administration (UWI 2010) and a Master in Educational Leadership (UWI 2016).

Maurice Hollingsworth completed his PhD in information technology in education and has worked throughout the education system – K-12 teacher, district administrator, provincial advisor and university faculty member – bringing meaning to learning technologies in classrooms. He is president of the IT for Dominica Foundation and has led the organization for the past 19 years.

Moderator:         Bev Muendel-Atherstone

For more information on the Southern Alberta Council on Public Affairs, visit the SACPA website.

Room or Area: 
Royal Canadian Legion

Contact:

Trevor Kenney | trevor.kenney@uleth.ca | 403-329-2710 | sacpa.ca