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Wednesday, October 14th, 2009
7:15 - 8:30 am
Ethics and
Happiness
with Charles Montgomery,
Award-winning Journalist, Photographer and Author of The Shark God (aka The Last Heathen, winner of two book awards)
Ours is one of the most beautiful, vibrant, and livable cities in the world. Why aren’t we happy?
- Sad City, Vancouver Magazine, Sept. 2008
A groundbreaking study last year found that despite our glorious mountains and ocean, mild weather, good health and Olympic future, Vancouverites are just not as happy as people in St. John or Winnipeg.
So what makes a "happy city," and an ethical one? Is it wealth, new condos, waterfront views and faster transportation? Is it kindness and seeking a common good? How much do family, social relationships, knowing our neighbours and having meaningful work matter?
Join us as Charles shares insights he’s gained while conducting research for his upcoming book, Happy City. He’ll explore
- the relationship between the design of our minds and the design of our cities;
- how the shapes of neighbourhoods, buildings and transportation systems affect our well-being;
- the importance of trusting and connecting with our neighbours; and
- how the green, low-carbon, ethical - and happy - city might be one and the same.
Charles will also talk about an innovative, Vancouver-based project called Home for the Games. It connects those offering/needing rental accommodation during the Olympics with raising funds to help Vancouver's most vulnerable citizens, including those directly affected by the Games.
click here to RSVP or call: 604-685-6560
DATE: Wednesday, October 14th -- 7:15-8:30 am
LOCATION: BC Hydro Building
333 Dunsmuir Street, Vancouver
2nd Floor Auditorium
Check-in at Security Desk (Main floor lobby)
COST: Members - $7.00 Non-Members - $10.00
(muffins, tea and coffee included)
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About Our Speaker:
Charles Montgomery is an award-winning author, journalist and photographer who tells stories about people, cities, science and myth. His next book, Happy City, will look at how urban planners are using the emerging science of happiness to fix broken cities around the world. His research has taken him to cities as diverse as Kabul, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Portland and Mexico City.
Charles based his first book, The Last Heathen, on his search for the origins of myth in the South Pacific archipelago of Melanesia. Published in Canada in 2004 to enthusiastic praise (and several awards), it was published internationally as The Shark God in 2006. Charles has also written articles for many publications including the Globe and Mail, Canadian Geographic, The Walrus and Vancouver Magazine. (More at www.charlesmontgomery.ca)
Charles is also one of the moving spirits behind Home for the Games, a collective of Vancouver-area residents who want to help the city’s homeless. Anyone who lists rental accommodation with Home for the Games during the Olympic and Paralympics Games will donate half their revenues to charities Covenant House and the Streetohome Foundation. (See http://homeforthegames.com)
click here to RSVP or call: 604-685-6560
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