Conference to explore impacts of global crisis of neoliberalism

What do events such as the ascendancy of Donald Trump, Brexit, and the rise of extreme right-wing nationalist movements tell us about the unfolding crisis in the global consensus that has dominated Canadian politics for almost 40 years? And, more importantly, how can Alberta best navigate this uncertain time?

These are the questions that will be addressed by some of Canada’s leading academics, activists, and thinkers at Parkland Institute’s 21st annual fall conference, Collapse: Neoliberalism in Crisis, taking place November 17-19 on the University of Alberta campus.

“The momentous and often unsettling events that have been dominating the news over the past year are symptoms of the unravelling of the neoliberal consensus that has dominated politics and society since the early 1980s,” explains Parkland Institute director Trevor Harrison. “The failure of this ideology to deliver on its lofty promises to millions of people around the world has led us to a crisis point, and, unfortunately, inward-looking and xenophobic ideas have emerged to fill the vacuum. The critical question before us is what positive alternatives can be offered to fill the void?”

The full conference schedule and list of speakers is available at parklandconference.ca. Conference highlights include:

Opening Keynote Linda McQuaig (journalist and bestselling author)
“Reclaiming Populism in the Age of Trump”
Friday, November 17 at 7:00 pm
Room 1-001, Engineering Teaching & Learning Complex, University of Alberta

Martin Lukacs (Leap Manifesto co-author and Guardian columnist)
“Justin Trudeau, the Last Stand (and Brand) of Progressive Neoliberalism”
Saturday, November 19 at 9:00 am
Room 1-001, Engineering Teaching & Learning Complex, University of Alberta

Stephan Lewandowsky (cognitive scientist, University of Bristol)
“The Post-Truth Era: Decline of Polity or Moral Panic?”
Saturday, November 19 at 1:00 pm
Room 1-001, Engineering Teaching & Learning Complex, University of Alberta

Harsha Walia (activist and award-winning author)
“Racism, Austerity, and Precarity: Canada's Role in the Migrant Crisis”
Saturday, November 19 at 4:00 pm
Room 1-001, Engineering Teaching & Learning Complex, University of Alberta

Closing Keynote Jamie Peck (Professor of Geography, University of British Columbia)
“Neoliberalism: Dead or Alive?”
Sunday, November 19 at 12:00 pm
Room 1-001, Engineering Teaching & Learning Complex, University of Alberta

Advance interviews with speakers and media passes for the conference can be arranged by request.

Parkland Institute is a non-partisan public policy research institute in the Faculty of Arts at the University of Alberta.