In celebration of 15 years in the Okanagan, UBC鈥檚 Okanagan campus announced today the Festival of Ideas, a year-long lineup of events curated to inspire ideas and strike up a conversation between UBC and the community.

The inaugural event will be a panel discussion with Janet Austin, the Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia and three guest speakers on Mar. 5. at the Laurel Packing House in 琉璃神社.

The panel called 鈥業gniting Greater Civic Engagement in Our Community, Our Province,鈥� will explore what individuals, institutions and organizations can do to enhance reconciliation, democracy, and equity and inclusion.

鈥淓ngaging with our community is an intrinsic element of UBC Okanagan and it permeates everything we do,鈥� said Ananya Mukherjee Reed, provost and vice-president academic, at UBC Okanagan.

鈥淚 am delighted that our Festival of Ideas will continue to cultivate this partnership by showcasing many of the incredible events that are integral touchpoints between community and campus.鈥�

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She said welcoming BC鈥檚 Lieutenant Governor to the Okanagan is a particular honour.

鈥淗er Honour Janet Austin鈥檚 priorities of equity, diversity and inclusion; democracy and civic engagement; and reconciliation are incredibly important and complement UBC Okanagan鈥檚 own values and expertise so perfectly,鈥� said Mukherjee Reed.

鈥淭his is going to be a fantastic discussion and one that I hope sparks a wider conversation.鈥�

The Festival of Ideas will run through the summer and until the end of the year, with over 30 public events鈥攎ost of which are free.

鈥淲e鈥檙e excited to be sharing and celebrating this milestone with our community,鈥� she said. 鈥淥ver the coming months, we hope to highlight the kind of bold thinking and exciting ideas that make our campus and the Okanagan so unique.鈥�

To see the spring line up or to register for the panel discussion, visit

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