Before his untimely death on January 10, 2017, Professor Emeritus David Bell had a long and accomplished career in academia at York University. He was a professor of political science, dean of the Faculty of Graduate Studies, dean of the Faculty of Environmental Studies and a Fellow of McLaughlin College. His altruism was recognized with many awards over his lifetime. Most notably, Bell was the recipient of 2014 Canadian Network for Environmental Education and Communication Award, The Green Toronto Award for Leadership in Sustainability, The 2016 Harry Jerome Award, Clean50 Award and the Jackie Robinson Fortitude Award.
Bell also served as the Chair of Learning for a Sustainable Future (LSF) from 2006 until his death and in this role he became known as an international thought leader on the power of research to inform education for sustainable development at the provincial, national and international levels.
Following his death, the LSF board approved the establishment of The Annual Dr. David V.J. Bell Lecture to acknowledge his commitment to education for sustainable development and serve to link research to practice in educating for a sustainable future. The inaugural Dr. David V.J. Bell Lecture will take place on Sept. 26 at 7 p.m. at the Founders Assembly Hall, 152 Founders Hall, Keele Campus. Presenting the inaugural lecture will be the Honourable Elizabeth Dowdeswell, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario. A colleague and close friend of Bell’s, Dowdeswell will address the role of education in the implementation of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). She is an honourary patron of Learning for a Sustainable Future and has dedicated a great deal of her career as a public servant to environmental stewardship and to advancing the SDG goals as set forth by the United Nations.
The Annual Dr. David V.J. Bell Lecture is intended to help bridge the gap between research and what is practiced in educational institutions by identifying Canadian thought leaders and providing a forum for them to share their research and insights on education for sustainable development, specifically as it applies to education policy, teacher education and practice, and student empowerment to make change. Keynote papers and a video of each lecture will be posted and archived on the LSF website. Materials, including the videos and papers, will be circulated to thought leaders across the country.
To register for this event, visit www.LSF-LST.ca/en/dvjbelllecture. For more information, contact Elaine Rubinoff, director of programs and administration, LSF, at 416-327-2032.
This event is sponsored by the Faculty of Environmental Studies, the Department of Politics in the Faculty of Liberal Arts and Professional Studies, Founders College and McLaughlin College.