YCLML 001 - MCLL Lectures

Presenter: Mark G. Peacock

France and Britain’s global rivalry exploded into The French and Indian War in North America, 1754-1760. This lecture delves into the economic, political and military strategy and tactics implemented by the protagonists and their Indigenous allies. From the Ohio River to the Battle of Ste-Foy, the transformation from initial French victories to the loss of New France is explored and key personalities discovered.  

Presenter: Harald von Cramon

This lecture is a historical review of the political unification of Germany in the second half of the 19th century. 

Presenter: Randy Kritkausky

As someone with French-Canadian voyageur and indigenous (Anishinaabe) ancestry, and with dual residency in Montreal and rural Vermont, I have experienced an awakening to indigenous history, identity, and spirituality that points to unexplored pathways which reach beyond mere reconciliation, and which offer revitalization of both indigenous and mainstream cultures. I invite you to listen to a 21st century tale of hope and transformation and to begin your own journey of being or becoming ever more indigenous. 

Presenter: Colin Wright

This presentation leads off by explaining that the use of the atomic bomb eighty years ago has prevented a more widespread use of nuclear technology to generate electricity. The speaker goes through the objections raised to nuclear power - safety and security, radiation risk, waste management, and capital cost – one by one, comparing nuclear negatives to those of alternative power sources. He concludes by arguing that nuclear may be a better choice than renewables for achieving a low-carbon future for our world.  

Presenter: Francis Jacobs

It’s now been more than a century that the island of Ireland has been divided between the Republic, a member of the EU, and Northern Ireland, part of the United Kingdom. We all recall The Troubles that broke out in the 1960s, claiming over 3,500 lives before peace was achieved with the Good Friday Agreement in 1998. Could reconciliation go further, with the island again being united? Francis Jacobs, a dual Irish and British citizen, will explain the recent demographic, attitudinal and political changes that suggest that this has certainly become more likely than before, but that many obstacles remain. 

Presenter: Alexander S. Preker

The presentation and discussion will focus on several hidden threats to sustainability reforms from overambitious, poorly designed, and badly executed policies. These threats include a) pitfalls associated with lack of realism, b) mission creep in corporate governance, c) single-issue capture, d) hidden political agendas, e) greenwashing, f) diversity washing, and g) loss of competitiveness.  

Presenter: Elizabeth Robinson

The final statement of the COP 28 climate summit in Dubai in December 2023 called on countries to contribute to "transitioning away from fossil fuels in energy systems, in a just, orderly and equitable manner, accelerating action in this critical decade, so as to achieve net zero by 2050 in keeping with the science;.."  What are the implications of this for our governments and for ourselves as individuals?   Bring your own thoughts and be prepared to share if you wish. 

Presenter: Gordon Postill

A “Poetry Excursion” primes the pump for what really matters, getting us out of our heads and into our hearts. Using an understated delivery, the presenter will recite from memory poems of universal appeal by renowned poets such as Mary Oliver, Wendell Berry, and Jane Kenyon with themes like awe, sadness, affection, death, hope, and longing. Each poem will be recited twice for clarity, followed by ample time for personal introspection and shared reflections.  

Presenter: Elaine Gold

In this talk, Elaine Gold, Director of the Canadian Language Museum, will take us on a tour of the many languages spoken by Indigenous peoples in Canada, contributing to the multicultural richness of our country. She will explain the processes that have threatened these languages and describe efforts being made to maintain and revive them both within Indigenous communities and more widely in response to recommendations from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.  

Presenter: Sharon Harris

This is the story of the most notorious art forger of the twentieth century, Dutch painter Han van Meegeren. During the 1920s, Van Meegeren turned to forging versions of masterpieces from the Dutch Golden Age. The buyers were museums and collectors world-wide, including Nazi art-lover Hermann Göring. At the end of WWII, Van Meegeren was charged with collaboration, and his trial became a sensation. To save himself from a death sentence, he admitted he’d been peddling fakes. His flamboyant lifestyle and skill at forging have made him a national hero to some, a “truly brilliant fraud” to others.

Presenter: Richard Rose

This lecture is a discussion about masterpieces in our time. The lecturer will illustrate why Shakespeare’s Hamlet is a masterpiece, illustrating his point in detail.  

Presenter: Robert Paris

The workshop will present new knowledge of the brain focused on research that concludes that the majority of us are unaware of our authentic personal stories. The presenter will demonstrate the power of storytelling by telling his own genuine narrative and guide the group to become comfortable telling their own genuine stories. He will then relate the power of personal storytelling to self-leadership and fulfilment. 

Presenters: Howard King & Linda Sidel

This is non-threatening. You will learn different techniques on how to avoid a situation and if not, how to produce a positive outcome. You will have a live demonstration on some fun techniques. Please be prepared to learn, laugh and enjoy yourself. 

Presenter: Roy Doyon

Between 1400 and 1900, Africa experienced four simultaneous slave trades. The most recent and best known was the transatlantic slave trade. The older and less well-known ones were the trans-Saharan, Red Sea and Indian Ocean. In his lavishly illustrated talk, Roy Doyon, a retired professor and active later life learner speaking from his home in Cambridge, England, will take us through the origins, mechanics, demographic impacts, ultimate abolition and continuing legacy of the four centuries of the enslavement of Africans. 

Presenter: John Felvinci 

Winston Churchill, the Colonial Secretary of Great Britain in 1921 called a secret conference in Cairo, to fix the many problems in the Middle East, created by the collapse of the Ottoman Empire. The conference established two new countries, Iraq and Transjordan, ruled by the sons of the Sharif of Mecca as kings. It also dealt with the delicate balance in British Palestine between the Jews and the Arabs. 

Presenter: Mark G. Peacock

World War I had a major impact on Canada’s evolution as a country. Military, social, and political events of the time are used to demonstrate how the young country rose to its many challenges, including women’s participation. Major battles and some fascinating Canadians are also explored in the process. 

Presenters: Peter Strobach & Marna Murray 

How have you learned history? Dates? Names? Battles? Places? The lecture offers a new approach – yes, places, people, events, and development on a timeline, but with a global view. Taking a period critical to human advancement, the perspective looks at many concurrent civilizations. Watch a demonstration of a multi-media tool to link these events and experience an alternative way to learn history.  

Presenter: Andrew Moore

William Shakespeare’s sonnet sequence contains 154 short poems. It is a masterpiece of the genre, containing some of the best-known lines of poetry in the English language — “Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?” Most of these love poems are addressed to a beautiful young man. The others are addressed to a “Dark Lady,” who does not conform to conventional beauty standards: “My mistress’s eyes are nothing like the sun!” But Shakespeare’s sonnets are not simply beautiful love poems; they are, in fact, profound meditations on love, desire, beauty, mortality, and art. How do we live, knowing the people we love will ultimately die? Can beautiful art somehow transcend time? 

Presenter: Wolfgang Schneider 

Based on Andrea Wulf’s biography, we will explore the life of Alexander von Humboldt (1769-1859), a visionary German naturalist and polymath whose discoveries forever changed the way we understand the natural world. He is famous for his explorations in South America, his descriptions of nature as an interconnected web of life, and for warning of man-made climate change. His writings became the basis of ecology and climate science. He was also a global superstar, the most famous man after Napoleon according to his contemporaries; yet his name has been all but forgotten today in the English-speaking world. 

Presenter: Tania Chomyk

Join us for an engaging workshop on External Self-Awareness, where we will delve into the often-overlooked truth behind feedback. We will explore the nuances of seeking and receiving feedback effectively, the art of asking, and discover the transformative power of feedback when approached as a gift, guided by a structured process provided in the session. Through an interactive role-play exercise, participants will have the opportunity to put theory into practice, enhancing their ability to navigate and utilize feedback for personal and professional growth.  

Presenter: John Felvinci

Getrude Bell (1868-1926) was an English writer, traveller, political officer, administrator, and archeologist. She spent much of her life exploring and mapping the Middle East and became highly influential to British imperial policy as an Arabist due to her knowledge and contacts built up through extensive travels. She participated in both the 1919 Paris Peace Conference (briefly) and the 1921 Cairo Conference as the only woman in it. The Conference helped decide the territorial boundaries and governments of the post-War I Middle East as part of the partition of the Ottoman Empire.  

Presenter: Paul Kuai-Yu Leong 

During the mid 30's, while the Nazis were busy persecuting the Jews, Imperial Japan tried to attract the Jews to settle in China - with its 'FUGU PLAN'... This lecture is about that bizarre attempt - as a special for this year's Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day, 2024.5.5) 

Presenter: Nadia Alexan

Finally, good news. Ralph Nader, one of America’s most effective social critics of our time, shows us how 12 CEOs rejected the narrow yardsticks of shareholder value, by leading companies to larger models of prosperity, while maintaining social justice principles, instead of the dog-eat-dog world of jungle ethics. 

Presenter: Robert N. Wilkins

This presentation will examine just some of over 12,000 cases brought before Montreal’s Municipal Court in the year 1906. Acquaint yourself with some of the heart-wrenching stories that were recounted from the prisoner’s docket in the city tribunal, then located in the old Montreal City Hall. From uncared for, unwanted children who found themselves before the Recorder, to hardened criminals, this lecture is indeed an eye-opener for those living in 2024!!  

Presenter: Paul Kuai-Yu Leong

In 2010, two Scots Guards wives managed to get Gareth Malone to form the first Military Wives Choir at the RMB Chivenor. Since then, the 'Wives Choir' grew to over 70 across the UK and internationally (including Canada). They performed at the Royal Albert Hall, No.10 Downing St., Queen's Diamond Jubilee, etc. - with their musical albums achieving top awards... A fascinating story about the joy of singing, camaraderie of being part of the Armed Forces, and leadership. 

This lecture is brought to you by the Cummings Centre

Presenter: Olivier Courteux 

Louis Vuitton, a name synonymous with luxury and prestige that we all know. Within a few decades Louis Vuitton's handbags and fashion design became symbols of wealth and status. The Vuitton dynasty made headlines on more than one occasions, until the third generation lost control of their empire. But what do we know of the real history of the House of Vuitton, its ascent to prominence and struggles leading to a takeover? Let's find out... 

This lecture is brought to you by the Cummings Centre

Presenter: Evgenia Kempinski 

Join us as we welcome back one of our most respected guides, the erudite Evgenia, who will take us on a virtual tour through the vibrant legacy of the Jews of Latvia. This was a community that thrived and impacted Latvia’s cultural diversity, by its resilience, creativity, and community spirit. We shall visit synagogues and landmarks and hear untold narratives of the challenges and triumphs woven into the rich tapestry of Latvia’s Jewish history.