Since 1994, the Alternatives' Days have been an annual weekend of activities related to current social, economic, political and environmental concerns. Once again, a unique program is being offered this year under the theme of Revolutions Confronting Neo-Liberalism. This theme refers to the Arab Spring and illustrates new developments in global resistance to neoliberalism. Discussions will aim to define strategies and the role that social movements - movements that strive for social justice and ecological alternatives to unsustainable development - in Canada have to play in this struggle.

Alain Deneault, Amir Khadir, Louise Vandelac, Ian Angus, Christophe Aguiton, Raphaël Canet, and 30 other noted speakers from almost a dozen countries will gather with hundreds of participants for the 16th Alternatives Days at a camp in the Laurentians from August 27 th to 29th , 2010. Nations represented include: Quebec, Canada, the United States, France, Haiti, Cameroun, Mali, Morocco, and Israel/Palestine.

Participants will debate ways to act together on critical social, political, and economic questions that face us as citizens in a global community. Major themes will be climate justice, democracy, and social movements for human dignity.

The 2009 Phyllis Clarke Memorial lecture marks the 20th anniversary of this event. This year's speaker in Leo Panitch, Canada Research Chair in Political Economy. The focus of his comments will be on what Marxism has to contribute to our immdeiate understanding of the deepening crisis now confronting the global economy.

This event will be taped by TVO for later broadcast as part of their "Ideas" series.

The Phyllis Clarke Lectures are co-sponsored by the Dept of Politics at Ryerson University and CUPE Locals 233, 1281 and 3904.