The Community Movements Conference (CMC) is an annual event organized for students and the broader community by undergraduate students in Trent University’s International Development (IDST) program.

This year’s theme is Displacement – with two events in March focusing on both the displacement seen at home and abroad.

Now on its fifteenth year, the CMC is one of the longest-running student-led conferences in the province, a point of pride for the students helping to organize it this year. Students like Emily Johnston – a third-year International Development student from Peter Gzowski College and the marketing and communication director of the CMC 2022.

“For the last 15 years, it has been locally organized by IDST students, and Trent has been extremely supportive throughout the process,” Emily says. “CMC focuses entirely on community-based development, which fits nicely with Trent's connection with its student community.”

Getting involved and making a difference

Students in the IDST program get involved early on in their time at Trent and tend to take on a larger role as the years go on. This year is no exception.

“I got involved with CMC my first year before COVID started. I met such amazing people and learned so much,” said Serena Karevich, a third-year International Development student from Champlain College who is the co-chair of the CMC 2022. “The students get to choose a theme that is very important to both Trent students and the Peterborough-Nogojiwanong community. This conference allows for a space where there can be important discussions about current situations.”

When COVID-19 struck, the conference organizers decided to continue the conversation online, which presented both opportunities and challenges.

“Since it is online, we lose the open discussions and that human connection that CMC is often known for,” said Serena. “On the other hand, we have been able to get amazing speakers from around the world to present as transportation is not a constraint. Our theme this year is displacement which allows us to look at the many different ways that people are forced from their homes be it in our communities or across the globe.

“CMC allows IDST undergraduate students to see how their knowledge of development transitions from theories to real-world applications,” said Emily. “It is also a great way to connect with local leaders in community-based development and learn about initiatives taking place both locally and worldwide. It also allows you to physically see the community of local organizers and supporters in Peterborough, which is especially needed beyond Trent. CMC allows for new perspectives to be brought forward, which can help students conceptualize their own understandings of development and, specifically this year, displacement.”

Students and the Peterborough community are invited to join the conference virtually and learn more about development and displacement.

Learn more about the IDS program at Trent and apply for fall 2022.