OCAD U President’s Speaker Series features two inspiring speakers

L to R: Maria Ressa and Rajni Perera

The newly launched, video-based President’s Speaker Series aims to showcase compelling, engaging and unique voices on issues that are shaping the present and future of Canadian society.

In partnership with the 2023 DemocracyXChange Summit, the series features the keynote addresses delivered at the summit by Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Maria Ressa and contemporary multimedia artist Rajni Perera.

Ressa is a journalist and press freedom fighter. In her latest memoir, How to Stand Up to a Dictator: The Fight for Our Future, she delivers a wake-up call about how we cannot take our democratic freedoms for granted. She explains how the spread of misinformation through social media platforms is threatening our democracy and accelerating authoritarianism around the world.

In her address, Perera speaks about the threats to artistic freedom, including funding cuts, gentrification and commercialization. She articulates the role of artists and designers in protecting democracy by providing the blueprint for “dissent, assurance, condemnation, feeling safe and feeling seen.”

While these talks are from #DXC23, they remain relevant in the new year and looking ahead.

The public can look forward to a keynote address from Meta whistleblower Frances Haugen at #DXC24. The event takes place from Apr. 11 to 13. Early bird tickets are available until Feb. 13.