This panel seeks to operationalize care ethics within Canadian trade policy by convening scholars, practitioners, and community organizers to co-create a Care Ethics Checklist for trade governance. The event will explore how feminist economics, intersectionality, and responsible business conduct can transform trade from a profit-driven model to one centered on relationships, equity, and ecological responsibility. Confirmed speakers include Professors Bengi Akbulut and Donal Sen Gill, alongside leaders from Resource Movement and SEIZE, organizations committed to solidarity economies and democratic wealth redistribution.
Hosted at SHIFT, the program integrates accessibility and hospitality through partnerships with Hive for sustainable catering, reinforcing our commitment to low-waste practices and community-based models. The discussion will address gaps in current trade frameworks, emphasizing enforceable gender and Indigenous chapters, linking responsible business conduct to tangible trade benefits, and applying GBA+ analysis for measurable outcomes. These conversations challenge dominant narratives of economic nationalism and competitiveness, proposing actionable strategies prioritizing care for people and the planet.
Expected deliverables include:
– A publicly shareable Care Ethics Checklist for policymakers and advocates.
– Increased student engagement with solidarity economies and care-centered policy frameworks.
– Actionable recommendations for embedding care ethics in trade agreements and institutional decision-making.
This initiative aligns with SAF’s mandate by fostering community-building, accessibility, and alternative economic models while minimizing environmental impact through low-waste practices. By amplifying marginalized voices and linking care ethics to ecological responsibility, the project demonstrates how sustainability and justice intersect in economic governance. Ultimately, this panel is not just a conversation, it is a blueprint for transforming trade policy into a tool for equity, reciprocity, and collective well-being.
The timing of this event is critical. Global trade systems are under pressure from rising economic nationalism, climate crises, and widening inequality. Canada’s trade policy often uses the language of inclusion, gender chapters, Indigenous cooperation agreements, but lacks enforceable mechanisms. This gap perpetuates symbolic care rather than operational care. Our panel addresses this by moving beyond rhetoric to concrete tools and strategies implemented in policy and practice.
The event serves as a learning hub for students and community members, offering practical insights into solidarity economies and cooperative models. Featuring organizations like Resource Movement and SEIZE, attendees gain exposure to approaches that redistribute wealth and democratize economic power. These perspectives complement academic analysis, ensuring the conversation bridges theory and practice.
Accessibility is central to our design. SHIFT Concordia provides a fully accessible venue, and Hive’s catering supports local farms and student workers while reducing waste. Outreach will prioritize inclusivity through multilingual materials, alt-text graphics, and QR codes for easy registration. These choices reflect our commitment to embedding care ethics not only in the content of the discussion but in the logistics of the event itself.
In the long term, this initiative aims to inspire systemic change. By publishing the Care Ethics Checklist and sharing event outcomes widely, we hope to influence future trade negotiations, institutional procurement policies, and sustainability strategies. This project positions Concordia as a leader in care-centered economic thinking, demonstrating universities can be catalysts for ethical transformation in global governance.
YEARS FUNDED
2025
AMOUNT ALLOCATED
$450