March 19, 2026 

Liberal democracies across the globe are confronted with complex issues that challenge their capacity to develop and implement effective public policies. The inability to solve these issues undermines their legitimacy and erodes public trust in the institutions that people expect will protect them and ensure their wellbeing. Growing debt, affordability, under resourced public services, housing crises, ineffective border control, are just some of the factors contributing to a sense that governments are overwhelmed and unable to deliver on promises to its citizens. Populism in its different forms, provide a strong narrative that so-called elites act in their own interests and are using democratic institutions to benefit themselves and disadvantage ordinary citizens.

This Symposium addressed three distinct, but interrelated challenges: populism, trust, and immigration. Populist leaders are trying to drive a wedge between democracy and liberalism, arguing that liberal institutions prevent people from acting democratically, sometimes in their own interest. According to the latest OECD’s Survey on Divers on Trust in Public Institutions, national government, national parliament and political parties are the least trusted institutions in democratic systems, falling behind police, courts, civil service and local government.

Immigration is perhaps the most complex policy issue confronting liberal democracies. The same OECD survey indicates one quarter of respondents consider immigration among the top three issues of concern, behind inflation, poverty/inequality, crime and essential services such as health care. Citizens are focused on how immigration policy is managed by their government, even if the underlying causes reasons and the specific challenges can vary significantly from one country to the other.  It has become a common flashpoint for liberal democracies in North America and Europe.

In short, the overall connection between political leaders and their citizens seems to be in disarray and under strain. This situation should be concerning for those who believe in strong and effective liberal democratic norms, processes and institutions. The GSPIA invited Canadian and European academics, to reflect on these challenges through panels and a roundtable conducted at the end of the day with speakers experienced in meeting these public policy challenges.

The Panels  

1-Populism | Emily Laxer, Rémi Vivès, Eric Montigny and Jared Wesley. 

This panel presented contributions that examine the supply side (actors, parties, movements) and the demand side (attitudes, grievances, socio-economic or cultural drivers) of populist mobilization, both inside and outside the electoral arena. It highlighted the work that considers left and right variants of populism and that explores their interactions with issues such as trust in institutions, migration, and the management of complex policy challenges. 

2-Trust | Andrew Dawson, Daniel Devine and Marta Kołczyńska.

This panel presented contributions that investigate the dynamics of political trust, the political dimensions of social trust, and their implications for the resilience of liberal democracy. 

3-Immigration | Francis Garon, Geoffrey Cameron, Willem Maas, Vincent Hildebrand and Kathryn Barber.

This panel presented contributions on immigration policy at the national level that approach the issue through one or more of the following dimensions: the populist/nationalist challenge, the trust towards the system challenge, and the coherence/competence challenge. . 

Practitioners participating in the roundtable hosted by Steve Paikin reflected on populism, trust, and immigration included former Premiers Wynne of Ontario and Couillard of Quebec were joined by Victoria Kuketz, Public Policy Advisor & Obama Foundation Scholar and Allen Sutherland, President and CEO, Institute on Governance. Speakers focused on governments’ responsibilities including failures in addressing these issues, as well as what should be done to regain citizens’ confidence in our democratic institutions and processes. The panel discussed a range of ideas to strengthen liberal democracies including, lowering the voting age, making  mandatory voting a duty for all citizens such as the practice in Australia and Belgium; as well as exploring the advantages and shorting comings of revising Canada’s current first past the post voting system.

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On March 12, 2026, the regional final of the My Thesis in 180 Seconds competition, organized by the  Acfas-Toronto-Centre-Sud-Ouest, brought together student researchers and a curious audience in Toronto around a shared goal: making science accessible to everyone. The event took place at��Glendon Hall��and��the Glendon��Theatre, and��offered a dynamic showcase for French-language student research in the region.��

The concept of the competition is both simple and demanding: participants must present their research project in just three minutes, using clear and accessible language, in front of a non-specialist audience. In this very limited time, each participant must deliver a presentation that is clear, concise, and convincing. This exercise in scientific communication challenges young researchers’ ability to communicate their work while allowing the public to discover a wide range of research topics. 

2026 Winners 

This year’s finalists distinguished themselves through the clarity, originality, and rigor of their presentations. 

College & Undergraduate Category 

1st place – Laura��Birate��(Collège La��Cité)��

Thesis title (in French):��

Profilage��immunoenzymatique��des��biomarqueurs��sériques��de��l'endométriose����

2nd place – Dorval��Tchiazon��(Université de��l’Ontario��français)��

Thesis title (in French):��

Les��disparités��de��l’aide��humanitaire��américaine dans les pays��en��situation de��crise :��cas��de la��République��démocratique��du Congo et de��l’Ukraine����

3rd place –��Thiery��Donfack��(Collège La��Cité)��

Thesis title (in French):��

Thesis title (in French):��Les��compétences��pour��réussir��à��mieux��inclure��les��personnes��en��situation de handicap sur le��marché��du travail����

Master’s Category 

1st place – Rebecca��Sarchese��(Glendon / �첥��Ƶ)��

Thesis title (in French):��
Médiation��normative dans la��traduction��littéraire��des��identités��S/sourdes��:��choix de la��terminologie��employée��en��français��et��en��espagnol����

Emily Mashaal (University of Waterloo)��

Thesis title (in French):��

Thesis title (in French):��

Pouvons-nous��augmenter��notre��apprentissage��dans un��cours��en��utilisant��des��phénomènes��de��laboratoire ?����

Doctoral Category��

1st place – Sara��Zoghbi��(University of Toronto)��

Thesis title (in French):��
Pluralité,��identités��et��transformations :��une��relecture��de la��francophonie��au Canada à travers��ses��diversités��culturelles,��linguistiques��et��historiques����

2nd place – Jacob��Legault Leclair��(University of Waterloo)��

Thesis title (in French):��
Transition��séculière��et transmission religieuse au Canada, aux États-Unis et��en��Europe :��analyse quantitative des��effets��de la migration et de la socialisation religieuse au sein de la��famille����

3rd place – Pierre��Lesbats��(�첥��Ƶ)��

Thesis title (in French):��
Impact��d'insectes��sur les surfaces des��moyens��de transport��

Public Prize 

Dorval��Tchiazon��(Université de��l’Ontario��français)��

Thesis title (in French):��
Les��disparités��de��l’aide��humanitaire��américaine dans les pays��en��situation de��crise :��cas��de la��République��démocratique��du Congo et de��l’Ukraine��

The regional final brought together students from colleges and universities across Southwestern and Central Ontario. One by one, participants summarized their work before an attentive audience and a jury composed of figures from the academic, media, and cultural sectors. 

For the 2026 edition, the jury included Kathleen Adams, Director of Communications at TFO; Eunice Boué, Director of the Salon du livre de Toronto; Marco Fiola, Principal of Glendon College; François Bergeron, Editor-in-Chief of l-express.ca; and Chantal Bois, professor and researcher in education at Collège La Cité. 

The evening was hosted by Nicolas Haddad, from the daily radio program Y a pas deux matins pareils, broadcast on Radio-Canada. The event began at 5 p.m. with a welcome reception and networking aperitif, allowing participants and audience members to connect before the competition started at 6 p.m. 

More than $4,000 in prizes were awarded for the evening’s best presentations. Sara Zoghbi, who received first prize in the doctoral category, will represent the region at the Canadian national final of the competition, to be held as part of the Acfas Congress. 

Free and open to the public, the event once again��demonstrated��the importance of science communication and the richness of research conducted by the next generation of French-speaking scholars. The regional final of My Thesis in 180 Seconds��continues to play a key role as a must-attend event for discovering the diversity and relevance of research conducted in French in the region.��

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In collaboration with community organizations, this year’s Francophonie Week program celebrates the French language and the diverse cultures of the international Francophone community.

Events

Career Fair  

Date: Wednesday, March 18
Time: 1pm - 4pm
Location: Glendon Centre of Excellence (COA)

Come meet employers who are ready to hire, showcase your skills, and clarify your career goals. Don’t miss the Career Fair at Glendon.

Many organizations will be present at this in-person event to connect with students and recent graduates about job opportunities, career paths, and bilingual and French-language positions.

Workshop on Inclusive Language with Miriam Greenblatt (In French with simultaneous interpretation into English)

Date: Thursday, March 19
Time: 12pm - 1pm
Location: (Zoom) (note that simultaneous interpretation into English will be available for this event)

This workshop will explore the concept of binary thinking, both in terms of identity and how it is integrated into the systems and structures that surround us, particularly language. We will also look at tools that can help us make our communication more inclusive, both spoken and written. Together, we will reflect on ways to create spaces that are welcoming to all people, going beyond traditional binary frameworks. The workshop will be led by Marie (she/her), a consultant in equity, diversity, and inclusion. She has particular expertise with educational institutions and Francophone communities (for more information, visit her ). 

In Concert with Mateo Delahaye-Brown

Date : Monday, March 23
Time: 12pm - 1pm
Location: Glendon Theatre (and live on )

Join Mateo, a singer from Toronto, Ontario, for a special mini-concert celebrating Francophonie Week. Featuring a mix of French, English, and bilingual songs with an R&B flair, don’t miss this opportunity to enjoy a dynamic performance and a unique celebration of language, culture, and music!

African Dance Workshop (In French)  

Date: Monday, March 23
Time: 1pm - 2:45pm
Location: Glendon Athletic Club (Group Exercise Room, 2nd Floor)

African Dances and Rhythms: Lua Shayenne is based in Toronto, Canada. She passionately studies traditional Mandé dances and rhythms. Her dance workshops with live percussion are open to all levels. Through African dance movements, Lua Shayenne invites you to celebrate your body as a temple of the spirit connected to Mother Earth. Together, we explore breath, grounding, inner rhythm, and flow.

Craft Workshop (In French)

Date: Tuesday, March 24
Time: 3pm - 5pm
Location: Glendon Campus, York Hall YH A004

A workshop on making bracelets and discovering the exceptional journey of the bi-spiritual Métis artist, Diane Montreuil. It is also an opportunity for participants to discuss the theme of self-acceptance and draw inspiration from artworks used as tools for healing.

Soccer Tournament 

Date: Wednesday, March 25
Time: 3pm - 5:30pm
Location: Glendon Athletic Club

A soccer/football tournament, followed by a social mixer with pizza!

Algerian Dance Workshop (In French)

Date: Thursday, March 26
Time: 12pm - 1:30pm
Location: Glendon Athletic Club (Group Exercise Room, 2nd Floor)

Salima Kouaci is a PhD student at Glendon in Francophone Studies. She is an artist and researcher interested in movements, rhythms, and bodily spaces as forms of memory, resistance, and creation. Her work explores dance as a sensitive language and as an act of reclaiming the body in postcolonial contexts.

This workshop offers a free exploration of Algerian dances as a space for freedom, balance, and personal expression. Inspired by the idea that “the more space women have, the more balanced they are” (Assia Djebar), participants are invited to let their bodies become a place of movement, breath, and presence. The focus is not on imitating a specific form but on discovering one’s own way of dancing, in rhythm with the gellal and derbouka. This workshop is open to everyone, with no prior experience required.

Identity and Justice: A Conversation with the Honourable Judge Michelle O’Bonsawin (In French with simultaneous interpretation into English)

Date: Thursday, March 26
Time: 4pm - 5pm
Location: (Zoom) (note that simultaneous interpretation into English will be available for this event)

The Honourable Judge Michelle O’Bonsawin, a Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada, lawyer, and law professor, will speak about her Indigenous (Abenaki) and Franco-Ontarian identity, her professional journey, and current legal issues affecting Indigenous and Franco-Ontarian communities.

This event will be moderated by Prof. Jennifer Heywood.

Au revoir tout le monde ! (The Play)

Date : March 26 to 28

Heure : 7pm

Lieu : Glendon Theater

The play Au revoir tout le monde ! (Goodbye, everyone!) is a contemporary satirical farce adapted from Everyman (The Somonyng of Everyman, or La Semonce de Tout-Homme), a morality play in Middle English composed at the end of the 15th century by an unknown author. Absurd situations and eccentric characters abound!

The play is presented by Glendon students in the DRCA 3640 course.

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A winter panel at Glendon highlighted Spanish as a professional asset and brought the Spanish-speaking community together.

Despite the cold winter weather, nearly 75 students, alumni, and community members gathered at Glendon on January 20 for El poder del español: How Spanish Got Me a Job. The event created space to reflect on how Spanish can shape professional paths in Canada while strengthening connections within the Spanish-speaking community.

Led by Glendon’s Professional Development Centre (PDC) and the Spanish and Latin American Cultures and Societies (SPLACS) program, in partnership with La Red de Hispanos, the event brought together students, professionals, and newcomers for an evening focused on language, work, and identity. The panel featured speakers from diverse sectors, each illustrating how Spanish has played a role in their careers. Angelica Ruiz, Marketing Head for North and Latin America at Adease Media Intelligence, spoke about leading campaigns across markets through cultural and linguistic insight. Marco Arizmendi shared perspectives from his career in risk, controls, and corporate governance across Latin America, the United Kingdom, and Canada. Camilla Scarcelli discussed communication and adaptability in financial services, while Roger Achach reflected on navigating the Canadian job market as a newcomer working in digital marketing.

Glendon alumna Rosamaria Conenna offered a perspective that resonated strongly with attendees. A graduate of the Concurrent Education program, she completed her degree in Spanish, French, and English despite starting her studies with no prior knowledge of Spanish. Now teaching Spanish and French at a GTA school board, she spoke about building confidence, recognizing transferable skills, and presenting multilingualism as a professional strength.

The evening also included an interactive workshop led by Niccoh Sioco from the Glendon Career Development Centre (CDC). Participants worked through Spanish-language career resources, identifying skills, exploring job trends, and outlining next steps. The activity emphasized career development without reducing personal identity to job titles.

Throughout the event, participants engaged actively in discussions and questions. Many left with a clearer understanding that Spanish is not only a cultural asset, but a marketable skill valued by employers. The gathering also reinforced a sense of belonging, reminding attendees that a supportive Spanish-speaking community exists in Toronto.

By partnering across campus, the PDC and SPLACS program transformed learning beyond the classroom and empowered students for what comes next. This holistic approach builds the skills, confidence, and meaningful connections students need to thrive in a dynamic labour market. Through professional engagement with La Red de Hispanos, students gain real-world experience, expand their networks, and discover that Glendon is more than a diploma. It is a launchpad for their future.

The event’s impact extended beyond campus, with coverage through CBC Radio Canada International’s La actualidad canadiense en siete lenguas.

Building on this collaboration, Glendon and La Red de Hispanos will host their next event, Speak Dating, on March 3rd from 5 to 7 PM. For more information, contact iberdun@yorku.ca.

Resources:

• Glendon Career Development Centre: /glendon/supports-and-services/career-development-centre/

• Glendon’s Spanish and Latin American Cultures & Societies Program: /glendon/spanish-and-latin-american-cultures-and-societies/

• La Red de Hispanos: https://lareddehispanos.com

• RCI: La actualidad canadiense en siete lenguas:

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EVENTS

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Experiential Learning in Action

For many MPIA students, the highlight of the academic year was the study trip to Washington, D.C., held from April 7 to 9, 2025. Over two days, students engaged in insightful discussions and benefited from the unique opportunity to meet senior representatives from the U.S. Government, international organizations, NGOs, and the Embassies of Canada and Ukraine namely:

• Carrie Goodge O’Brien, Embassy of Canada to the United States
• Ben Canavan, Deputy Director, Office of Canadian Affairs, U.S. State Department
• Katharine Rechico, Canada’s Executive Director, World Bank Group
• Will Paterson, Glendon alumnus, World Bank
• Frank Sesno, Director of Strategic Initiatives and Professor, School of Media and Public Affairs, George Washington University
• Chris Sands, Director, Canada Institute, Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars
• Major General Borys Kremenetsky, Defence Attaché, Embassy of Ukraine to the United States

Weekly Colloquium Series

Led by Professor Francis Garon, the 24-week colloquium series brought students into small-group discussions with national and international experts. Notable speakers included:

• Senator Peter Harder
• Mr. Nick Nanos, founder and Director of Nanos Research
• Ambassador Patrick Van Gheel, Belgian Ambassador to Canada
• Ambassador (retired) Jon Allen
• Mr. Stephane Roberge and John Morrisson, Global Affairs Canada.
• Col. Matteo, Director of the NATO Security - Force Assistance (Italy).

Capstone Seminar: Policy in Practice

The Capstone Seminar gave students the tools to develop Cabinet-ready policy submissions. Topics ranged from justice reform to taxation and diversity initiatives.

Internships That Make a Difference

While many MPIA students have traditionally secured internships with federal and provincial governments, an increasing number are pursuing opportunities with international and non-governmental organizations such as More Neighbours Toronto, Arab Community Centre, and Cooperation Canada, reflecting their entrepreneurial spirit.

Glendon Global Dialogues & Case Competitions

Events like the Glendon Global Dialogues and the National Public Administration Case Competition enriched academic life while showcasing student talent and fostering debate on urgent issues—from Foreign interference in elections to international contracting and climate issues.

Celebrating Black History Month

In partnership with KSU, two events marked Black History Month. On February 3, MPIA students attended an online presentation by Dr. Karina Brown on the ongoing challenges of being Black in America. A second event on March 6 explored the value of collaboration between grassroots advocacy and academic research.

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Glendon College alumnus John A. Olah (BA ’70, JD ’73) and his family have established a $100,000 endowment to support students seeking to expand their academic horizons through international study.

When John Olah first stepped into Glendon Hall in the 1970s, he was unsure of where his life and his education would lead. What began as a tentative start evolved into a lifelong connection with Glendon College.

"In high school, I was an average student. I didn’t see my potential," he recalls. "But when I arrived at Glendon, it opened my eyes to big ideas and a much larger universe. I discovered my interests, my potential—I realized I could contribute."

It was Glendon’s collaborative and holistic approach to education that nurtured John’s mind, body, and spirit. He credits the college with instilling in him a ‘fire in the belly’ mentality and recalls the lasting influence of professors like Sidney Goldberg, who inspired his pursuit of justice, and Dean George Tatum, who taught him the importance of building fitness and wellness into a balanced life.

"Glendon instilled an important life lesson in me," John says. "To try to be a Renaissance person, someone who embraces a broad view of life, not just academically, but culturally and physically as well."

John and his wife, Annie, share a philosophy of giving forged by formative experiences. John’s family fled Hungary during the 1956 Russian invasion, while Annie grew up in post-war Hong Kong. Both found freedom and opportunity in Canada, a country that welcomed them with open arms and allowed them to fulfill their dreams. That sense of gratitude now fuels their desire to give back.

In 2025, the Olah family established the Olah Family International �첥��Ƶ Award, an endowed bursary that will provide financial support to third- and fourth-year Glendon students participating in study-abroad programs in France, Belgium, Switzerland, or the United Kingdom.

"This donation is, in part, a tribute to my parents," John says. "They made the courageous and difficult decision to leave everything behind in Hungary and start anew in this wonderful country. Their sacrifice laid the foundation for the opportunities my family and I have been fortunate to enjoy. It is also a tribute to my late beautiful wife, Annie, whose love, never ending support and encouragement made this award possible.”

The award is a true family effort. John’s brother, Andrew, and a cousin have also contributed to the bursary, reinforcing the family’s shared commitment to global education.

"We are deeply grateful to John Olah for his generous support of Glendon students through this new endowed award," says Glendon College Principal Marco Fiola. "His gift not only honours the spirit of global education that defines Glendon, but it also directly supports students who wish to study abroad in leading institutions. This is a lasting investment in our students’ potential and in the future of public service and law in Canada and beyond."

Launching in the 2026–2027 academic year, the Olah Family International �첥��Ƶ Award reflects John’s belief that exposure to diverse cultures and philosophies is essential to developing informed, thoughtful democratic leaders. It will empower students to broaden their worldview through study at some of the world’s greatest learning institutions.

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