A winter panel at Glendon highlighted Spanish as a professional asset and brought the Spanish-speaking community together.

Despite the cold winter weather, nearly 75 students, alumni, and community members gathered at Glendon on January 20 for El poder del español: How Spanish Got Me a Job. The event created space to reflect on how Spanish can shape professional paths in Canada while strengthening connections within the Spanish-speaking community.

Led by Glendon’s Professional Development Centre (PDC) and the Spanish and Latin American Cultures and Societies (SPLACS) program, in partnership with La Red de Hispanos, the event brought together students, professionals, and newcomers for an evening focused on language, work, and identity. The panel featured speakers from diverse sectors, each illustrating how Spanish has played a role in their careers. Angelica Ruiz, Marketing Head for North and Latin America at Adease Media Intelligence, spoke about leading campaigns across markets through cultural and linguistic insight. Marco Arizmendi shared perspectives from his career in risk, controls, and corporate governance across Latin America, the United Kingdom, and Canada. Camilla Scarcelli discussed communication and adaptability in financial services, while Roger Achach reflected on navigating the Canadian job market as a newcomer working in digital marketing.

Glendon alumna Rosamaria Conenna offered a perspective that resonated strongly with attendees. A graduate of the Concurrent Education program, she completed her degree in Spanish, French, and English despite starting her studies with no prior knowledge of Spanish. Now teaching Spanish and French at a GTA school board, she spoke about building confidence, recognizing transferable skills, and presenting multilingualism as a professional strength.

The evening also included an interactive workshop led by Niccoh Sioco from the Glendon Career Development Centre (CDC). Participants worked through Spanish-language career resources, identifying skills, exploring job trends, and outlining next steps. The activity emphasized career development without reducing personal identity to job titles.

Throughout the event, participants engaged actively in discussions and questions. Many left with a clearer understanding that Spanish is not only a cultural asset, but a marketable skill valued by employers. The gathering also reinforced a sense of belonging, reminding attendees that a supportive Spanish-speaking community exists in Toronto.

By partnering across campus, the PDC and SPLACS program transformed learning beyond the classroom and empowered students for what comes next. This holistic approach builds the skills, confidence, and meaningful connections students need to thrive in a dynamic labour market. Through professional engagement with La Red de Hispanos, students gain real-world experience, expand their networks, and discover that Glendon is more than a diploma. It is a launchpad for their future.

The event’s impact extended beyond campus, with coverage through CBC Radio Canada International’s La actualidad canadiense en siete lenguas.

Building on this collaboration, Glendon and La Red de Hispanos will host their next event, Speak Dating, on March 3rd from 5 to 7 PM. For more information, contact iberdun@yorku.ca.

Resources:

• Glendon Career Development Centre: /glendon/supports-and-services/career-development-centre/

• Glendon’s Spanish and Latin American Cultures & Societies Program: /glendon/spanish-and-latin-american-cultures-and-societies/

• La Red de Hispanos: https://lareddehispanos.com

• RCI: La actualidad canadiense en siete lenguas:

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In a world more connected than ever, why are we feeling so alone? The Glendon Global Dialogues on November 20th will explore the startling rise of loneliness and its far-reaching consequences.

There are over 8 billion humans on the planet. Over half of us are in urban areas and have internet access. This begs the question – why are we feeling so lonely?

A Concerning Trend of Solitude

Despite living in an era of unprecedented connectivity, many of us find ourselves grappling with an invisible yet profound crisis – loneliness. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), this pervasive sense of isolation transcends age, income, and geography, impacting teens, young adults, and seniors alike across the globe. The statistics are staggering. A 2021 Statistics Canada survey revealed that more than one in ten Canadians aged 15 and older reported feeling lonely "always or often." In the United States, research indicates that between 2003 and 2020, the average time young people spent with friends face-to-face declined by a staggering 70%. Ironically, the very technology designed to foster connections may be contributing to our sense of disconnection.

The Hidden Toll on Health and Well-Being

Loneliness is more than just a mental health concern; it carries severe physical consequences as well. Among teenagers, it can lead to depression and self-harm, while for adults, it increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, and dementia. Some experts have likened the effects of loneliness to smoking a pack of cigarettes daily. Beyond personal health, loneliness also exacts a hefty economic toll. The UK estimates that it costs employers over $4 billion annually due to sick days, decreased productivity, higher turnover rates, and the added burden of caring for those suffering from loneliness.

Designing for Connection: Rethinking Our Communities & Reimagining “The Third Place”

As societies grapple with the challenges of an aging and increasingly isolated population, there is a growing recognition that the built environment plays a crucial role in fostering or hindering social connections. Can we "design out" loneliness from our communities? Do urban planners and architects have the tools and understanding necessary to create spaces that promote meaningful connections? While accessibility has long been a priority in urban design, it's time to consider incorporating codes and guidelines that actively encourage social interaction and foster a sense of belonging.

A Global Call to Action

Recognizing the urgency of this issue, the WHO has established an International Commission on Social Connection, while countries like Japan and the UK have appointed Ministers for Loneliness. Even New 91ŃÇÉ« City has created the first-ever Master Plan for Aging and appointed Dr. Ruth Westheimer as their Loneliness Ambassador. As Canada grapples with an aging population and an already strained public healthcare system, it's time to ask:

What steps should our nation be taking to address this silent crisis? This will be the overarching question we’ll be exploring at the Glendon Global Dialogues on November 20th.

Exploring Solutions and Strategies

Our three guests will explore different aspects of loneliness, its implications for public policy, and the potential role of technology in mitigating this growing challenge:

• Harry Hobson, Director of Neighbourly Lab, UK

• Dr. Patrik Marier, Professor of Political Science at Concordia University & author of "The Four Lenses of Population Aging"

• Dr. Gordon Flett, professor in the Department of Psychology at 91ŃÇÉ« We invite you to join the discussion on the 20th as we dissect the loneliness crisis and uncover paths towards a more connected, thriving society.

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Raiman Dilag, director of information technology services (ITS) at 91ŃÇɫ’s Glendon College, and his team are working to ensure their students have access to the most current technology to enhance their storytelling capabilities.

They will make this possible through an Academic Innovation Fund grant that allowed them to create a new eight-week extracurricular course – XR Storytelling in Extended Reality / XR Accroche Narrative en RĂ©alitĂ© Étendue – that will provide interested Glendon students and faculty, with an introduction to virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), 360-degree cameras, podcasting and 3D printing. The course is not for credit, but those who complete it will earn a microcredential and a digital badge that can be affixed to their resumes and LinkedIn profiles.

“While it’s expected for STEM students to be exposed to technological tools, at Glendon, we are deeply rooted in the liberal arts tradition,” Dilag said. “I saw the opportunity to complement resources currently in place, and enhance our students’ access to these and other new tools. Our students have stories to tell, and they benefit from sharing them using new media.”

For those on the outside looking in, the idea of using these tools can be confusing and/or daunting. VR and its sleek headsets can immerse users in another space, such as the Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris before and after the fire. Fans of Pokémon Go know that AR allows users to employ a device to interact digitally with the real world, bringing images to life. 360-degree photography brings the viewer into the space, letting them experience that moment from all of the photographer’s points of view. Podcasts stream on digital devices and are excellent audio/video tools for storytelling, while 3D printing enables the creation, and customization, of 3D objects crafted in one’s imagination or modified from previous designs.

Each of these technologies, independently or in combination, are valuable for storytelling in a digital era.

The eight-week course created by the ITS team will familiarize students with these key tools and require them to work on a group project to show their facility with one or more of them. The project will also reinforce teamwork skills, and in true Glendon nature, is conducted in English or French by the bilingual XR technology co-ordinator.

“I’d like students to think about the stories they want to tell,” said Dilag. “These are just tools; however, a course like this can open doors, because opportunities following graduation may be influenced by things beyond academics, such as exposure to any or all of these XR technologies.

“We’re all about the student experience, recruitment and retention. If this course helps them graduate more career-ready, it’s a great way for us to add value to their university, and post-graduation, experience.”

The in-person course is open to all Glendon students and will be offered during both the Fall and Winter terms. Dilag hopes the success of the course will lead to expansion for all 91ŃÇÉ« students.

The team has been planning the course since February: designing the curriculum, writing the proposal, purchasing necessary equipment and making the space attractive. The course will be conducted by the XR technology co-ordinator with oversight from Dilag.

“Let’s get technology in the hands of this dynamic generation and see what they can do,” Dilag said. “I think they’ll impress us.”

He is proud of his team’s work and reminds the larger community that the ITS department “is about more than resetting passwords,” he said. “We aim to humanize technology, and to use it to enable the telling of great stories.”

XR Storytelling in Extended Reality / XR Accroche Narrative en RĂ©alitĂ© Étendue begins the week of Oct. 16. Glendon students can register .

Faculty who may be interested in the course can contact xrglendon@glendon.yorku.ca to discuss their needs and learning objectives.

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The funding will continue both Desjardins and 91ŃÇɫ’s commitment to fostering positive change for diverse local communities and uniquely global perspectives.

The gift supports two initiatives at 91ŃÇÉ«, with an infusion over five years to GENIAL (Glendon Entrepreneuriat et Innovation A L’International) and over two years to ELLA (Entrepreneurial Leadership & Learning Alliance).

“We are thrilled to partner with Desjardins to create greater access and opportunities for women-led businesses,” says Jennifer MacLean, assistant vice-president, innovation and research partnerships at 91ŃÇÉ«. “This partnership will enable 91ŃÇɫ’s YSpace to expand our impact in the community and continue to foster the skills and talents of young entrepreneurs.” 

GENIAL is a bilingual initiative that offers training, extracurricular activities, and a research program in entrepreneurship and innovation. Desjardins’ gift will allow GENIAL to scale up its bilingual Entrepreneurial Skills Passport (ESP) program that is currently offered to Glendon students. Through the ESP program, GENIAL has trained a diverse population of students from liberal arts and business backgrounds, including domestic and international students enrolled in business, economics, communications, translation, international studies, sociology and psychology. GENIAL was launched in 2017 by Angelo Dossou-Yovo, associate professor of management and entrepreneurship.

Desjardins also supported 91ŃÇɫ’s first accelerator focused on supporting women-led product- and service-based businesses. The donation to ELLA – a program created by women, for women – will support the program for the next two years. The funding will help with the sustainability of ELLA’s accelerator programming that provides women entrepreneurs with access to the community, knowledge and resources they need to scale their business. 

“With Desjardins’ support, YSpace’s ELLA program will be able to help more women entrepreneurs, particularly those in consumer packaged goods and professional services, take their businesses to greater heights and scale up into national and international markets,” said David Kwok, associate director, entrepreneurship. “This gift recognizes the value in supporting women-led product- and service-based businesses, providing them with resources as robust as those currently found in the tech sector.” 

To recognize their contribution and commitment, Desjardins is invited to take part in ELLA’s national advisory committee and act as subject-matter experts to help shape the program’s future. 

“Entrepreneurs play an important role in our society. They are creating innovative solutions to the needs of Canadians and the challenges they face,” said Guy Cormier, president and CEO of Desjardins Group. â€śWe are proud to support 91ŃÇÉ« and their young entrepreneurs. They will help shape the world of tomorrow and we’re incredibly happy to be part of something that will give them the resources and tools they need to pursue their goals in life.”

Students and other members of the 91ŃÇÉ« community are invited to attend a public talk by Cormier on Sept. 12 at the Schulich Executive Learning Centre on 91ŃÇɫ’s Keele Campus. Hear Cormier’s professional journey, starting as a cashier, and how he worked his way up through Desjardins to become the youngest president in the history of the organization. He will also talk openly about the challenges he’s faced in his career and his vision of modern leadership, and answer audience questions.

Click here to register for the event on Sept. 12: .

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Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, The Honourable Elizabeth Dowdeswell moderated a discussion titled “Is democracy broken?”. Her Honour was joined by a panel of expert speakers, including Clare Hutchinson, a Power Corp Fellow at Glendon, and a former senior gender advisor with the United Nations Department of Peacekeeping; Susan Pond, a BMO senior Fellow at Glendon, and former NATO executive; and, Emily Laxer, associate professor of sociology and Research Chair in Populism, Rights and Legality at 91ŃÇÉ«. 

The discussion considered how different phenomena are currently affecting faith in the functioning of democracies. What role do growing inequalities (and the failure of reforms to address them), the rise of social media and their detrimental effects on public discourse, and the growing tendency of political parties across the spectrum to exploit divisions, play in shifting the stability of democracy? Do these contemporary shifts in political activity and discourse suggest that democracy is truly broken or just frayed? What can be done to restore widespread faith in democracy? 

Glendon Global Debates 

As a bilingual institution in the heart of Toronto, Glendon is uniquely positioned to support the Government of Canada in a forward-looking assessment of Canada’s role in global affairs. The Global Debates aim to enhance the public debate on Canada’s role in global affairs and prepare the next generation of highly skilled public servants.  

The Glendon Global Debates series which began in 2016 with the mission of promoting dialogue between experts from all sectors – government, academics, media, private and more – to identify critical national and foreign policy issues relevant to Canada’s future. Previous topics discussed have included Brexit, smart cities, fake news, housing affordability and women in leadership. 

Watch the recording

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