A Flashback to Bridging The Gap 2009

Bridging the Gap 2009 was presented by Engineers Without Borders, and held on March 14, 2009 at the Fairmont Waterfront in Vancouver, BC. With the theme of "Collaborating for Human Development - The Hidden Power of Our Choices," professional and student delegates examined the influence of our actions at home, on the development field, in parliament and in boardrooms.

Full Conference Schedule and Programme
Get all the details about the schedule, sessions, and speakers from 2009!

Bridging The Gap - Past Keynote Speakers

Dr. James Orbinski

Dr. James Orbinski is a veteran of many of the world's most disturbing and complex humanitarian emergencies. He was president of the Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) International Council from 1998 to 2001 and accepted the Nobel Peace Prize on its behalf in 1999. Dr. Orbinski is also the co-founder of Dignitas International, a medical humanitarian organization working with communities to increase access to life-saving treatment and prevention in areas overwhelmed by HIV/AIDS.

Parker Mitchell

Parker Mitchell co-founded Engineers Without Borders with George Roter in 2000. For his work with EWB, Parker was named one of Canada's Top 40 Under 40 in 2005, has won awards from the Canadian Bureau for International Education and been featured by TIME Magazine as one of Canada's next generation of social leaders.

Lieutenant-General The Honourable Roméo Dallaire (Ret)

Senator Dallaire has had a distinguished career in the Canadian military, achieving the rank of Lieutenant General and becoming Assistant Deputy Minister in the Department of National Defence in 1998. In 1994, General Dallaire commanded the United Nations Assistance Mission for Rwanda (UNAMIR). His book on his experiences in Rwanda, Shake Hands with the Devil: The Failure of Humanity in Rwanda, was awarded the Governor General’s Literary Award for Non-Fiction in 2004. He was appointed to the Senate effective March 24, 2005 and sits as a member of the Liberal Party of Canada.