What a week it’s been – and what a conference! Over the two weeks of CERIC’s first-ever virtual Cannexus21 conference, it was clear attendees were as eager and excited as ever to engage in learning and networking.
We were inspired by your comments and questions in the session chats, where you made connections to your work and highlighted your “aha!” moments. Likewise, it was wonderful to once again see attendees sharing takeaways with their broader networks on social media. Below, we’ve compiled a few of your posts from Days 3 and 4 to wrap up Week 2 of the conference.
While the live event is over, if you attended Cannexus21, the learning is just beginning! Participants have a full year to view recordings of all sessions, so you can catch up on what you missed and rewatch your faves.
On Day 3, our Spark! presenters lit up the virtual stage. The TED Talk-style sessions put a spotlight on youth, with young leaders Gabriel Bran Lopez, Skye Ables and Dillon Mendes sharing their personal stories and their ideas for youth empowerment.
@ccyp_ccpj sponsored spark! session young highlighting changemakers challenging traditional approaches to education and how we can foster youth development through meaningful projects and mentorship #cannexus21
— Dr. Christine Kampen Robinson (@ckampenr) February 1, 2021
Many attendees highlighted social justice-oriented messages from speakers, discussing advocacy, language, inclusivity and more – fitting messages for a conference themed on “Career Development for Public Good.”
I really love this idea of co-careering: career guidance that is informed, shaped by, and in collaboration with communities; a relationship of mutual exchange, non-hierarchical, and reflexive.
Esp important re integrating social justice approaches to career guidance #Cannexus21 https://t.co/QZQxa5p0HA
— Phil Miletic (@philmiletic) February 1, 2021
I’ve never labelled my advocacy efforts but learnt today I engage in citizenship and public advocacy. Thanks @AndrewBassCDP #Cannexus21 #militaryspouseemployment #careerdevelopmentpolicy
— Amanda McCue (@al_mq) February 2, 2021
Intersectionality invites the exploration of our identity and reality. #CatherineHajnal #Cannexus21 pic.twitter.com/qqCl7GQ19X
— Douglas College CDP (@CdpCollege) February 1, 2021
Presenters also looked ahead, examining ideas about COVID economic and workforce recovery as well as strategies to prepare students and jobseekers for the future of work.
This sure looks different from not so long ago! #oldish #youthourfuture #cannexus21 pic.twitter.com/DP1i8KZhlV
— NSW’s School Liaison-SHS, MWD, & LCKVW High Sch’s (@tasco_charlene) February 2, 2021
What a great takeaway from @pedrobarataTO with @fsc_ccf_en.
We love seeing a focus on people-centred approaches! #cannexus21 #mentorship #skills pic.twitter.com/lphxMEk8vn
— En Point (@YouEnPoint) February 3, 2021
We’re hearing bounce-forward and build-back better. This indicates the system was broken before the pandemic. As we imagine what the future will look like, we need to address deeply entrenched inequities first. @elysekwatkins #cannexus21 #careerdevelopment #hsdcdle
— Kirby Krause (@KirbyLKrause) February 1, 2021
So much of 2020-2021 continues now and into the future – how do we trust and embody our principle around happenstance. Knowing the right moment to move or not move – take the planned risks and know that it will allow us to lead into the work. #AtifaKarim #Cannexus21 #ninjatactics pic.twitter.com/aWLhu04Nwr
— Douglas College CDP (@CdpCollege) February 1, 2021
Of course, the Week 2 keynotes were also a conference highlight. On Day 3, Olympian, author and broadcaster Perdita Felicien had attendees cheering, laughing and crying as she shared her career highs and lows. Felicien emphasized the importance of cultivating resilience, doggedness and resiliency to deal with life’s challenges.
Sitting mesmerized by @perditafelicien in her #Cannexus21 keynote! Open honest and inspiring! Talk about dealing with emotions in career ones career!!
— Kris Magnusson (@careerhawk) February 1, 2021
A true inspiration! ❤ @perditafelicien talks about success&failure, carrying the belief that everyone “has the power & skills to overcome the hardships in life.” You do this by being fearless, dogged, resilient, embracing failure as part of the journey & showing up. #Cannexus21 pic.twitter.com/rCNsjwVGda
— Rhonda Taylor (@RhondaWpg) February 1, 2021
Cannexus attendees also had the pleasure of hearing from the Honourable Ethel Blondin-Andrew in a hope-filled closing conference keynote on Day 4. Blondin-Andrew is a senior leader with the Indigenous Leadership Initiative from Tulit’a, Northwest Territories, and was the first Indigenous woman elected to Parliament. In her talk, she emphasized the importance of recognizing the skilled and specialized work of Indigenous peoples.
Pick your path, be well, choose wellness in everything you do. – The Hon. Ethel Blondin-Adrew #Cannexus21 #Cannexus #cannexus21 #closingkeynote
— Anj Salas (@anj_salas) February 3, 2021
Some amazing quotables from The Honourable Ethel Blondin-Andrew that we also loved!
“Your future starts when you make choices.”
“Keeping your mind and spirit open, and your attitude flexible is for everyone.”@ILInationhood #Cannexus21 #leadership #attitude https://t.co/yAMyLa2gA4
— En Point (@YouEnPoint) February 3, 2021
The Honourable Ethel Blondin-Andrew emphasized the importance of recognizing the skilled work and traditional knowledge of Indigenous individuals. Lets get better at seeing “experience,” “training,” and “jobs” from a difference lens #cannexus21
— Life Strategies Ltd. (@LifeStrategies_) February 3, 2021
Thanks for journeying along with us through CERIC’s first-ever virtual Cannexus conference. We hope to see you next year!
