Year in review: global stories from 2014
Published: December 17, 2014
The University of Toronto’s impact is global.
Students and faculty travel throughout the world to study, research and help local communities. They collaborate with colleagues internationally and make discoveries aimed at improving lives both at home and abroad.
Over the past year, Թϱ has seen its alumni making a difference in other lands (). Its scientists have travelled to the ends of the Earth for fundamental research (). And they’ve developed innovative products here at home to solve urgent problems in developing countries (.)
Through it all, Թϱ students have been everywhere, from .
Writer Terry Lavender reports on global and international stories for Թϱ. Below, Terry shares some of his favourite stories from 2014.
Conflict in Gaza is a public health issue, says Dr. Izzeldin Abuelaish
The conflict between Gaza and Israel brought back unpleasant memories for Dalla Lana School of Public Health professor Izzeldin Abuelaish, and a renewed resolve to fight for peace.
Designing cleaner, safer ways to cook in South India
The Global Innovation Group — a network of professors interested in poverty and innovation in developing countries — is addressing challenges related to clean cook stove technology, distribution and adoption.
Dr. Martin goes to Washington
It was an unlikely confrontation – a U.S. senator and a Թϱ medical professor – and one that gripped a nation, as Danielle Martin defended the Canadian health system before a congressional committee.
(Photo at right: Dr. Danielle Martin testifying before the United States Senate Subcommittee on Primary Health and Aging; image courtesy of the Office of U.S. Senator Bernie Saunders.)
First woman organist at London’s St. Paul Cathedral: Թϱ’s Rachel Mahon
Talented organist Rachel Mahon just graduated from Թϱ in 2013 but she’s rapidly ascending the musical heights.
Five to watch: Convocation 2014's global citizens
From building a school in Tanzania to fighting for human rights to making documentary films, Թϱ graduates are making an impact in the world. We talked to five of them at the Spring 2014 convocation.
International Lego robot competition at Թϱ
Lego! Natural disasters! Robots! It was a kid’s dream as more than 1,200 competitors, coaches and family members from around the world came to Թϱ for the international Lego robot competition.
International travel isn’t necessarily glamorous for Թϱ students. Members of the Global Brigades work long hours to improve health care in the Honduras.
Looking back at WorldPride 2014: honouring the past, celebrating the present
Թϱ hosted the WorldPride Human Rights Conference, a three-day gathering of hundreds of delegates from around the world who came together to share stories, build strategies, and engage in dialogue on issues such as LGBT refugees, approaches to HIV/AIDS, empowering youth and trans activism.
(Photo at right of students from the Engineering Society marching in the WorldPride Parade 2014 copyright William Ye.)
Mentoring students in Kenyan refugee camp by Facebook
Social media advocacy isn’t just about clicking a “Like” button for members of the University of Toronto Refugee Alliance, it’s about using social media to effect real change.
Olympian Heather Moyse wins gold in Sochi
Occupational Therapy grad Heather Moyse made Թϱ proud with her second bobsleigh gold medal at the Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia.
Cable news viewers have been seeing a lot of Munk journalism school alumna Seema Yasmin lately. With the world caught up in the Ebola epidemic, it’s no surprise that Dr. Yasmin has been asked to explain the disease and its ramifications to CNN viewers.
PhD physics student Dan Weaver travelled to Nunuvut in 2014 to conduct research that will contribute to our understanding of processes that affect the entire planet.
Music professor David Briskin is used to conducting for audiences world-wide – but usually not for 1100 audiences simultaneously.
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