Opposition to the decision by the University of Alberta to grant Nestle chair Peter Brabeck-Letmathe an honorary degree for his work in “the preservation, distribution and management of one of humanity’s most vital resources: water” continues to grow.
In a column in today’s Edmonton Journal, U of A President Indira Samarasekera defended the decision, saying of Mr. Brabeck-Letmathe, “This guy is an intellectual. We give honorary degrees to intellectuals of distinction, controversial or not. … He’s been saying for a long time that water is a scarce resource and we could be heading for a global water crisis, 20 to 30 years from now. Because of his leverage, he’s put this issue on the global agenda.”
The author of the column, Paula Simons, wrote on her Facebook page that “Dr. Samarasekera suggested to me that there wasn’t much public concern about this, because she hadn’t seen any letters to the editor in our paper.”
You can submit letters to the Edmonton Journal on either Paula Simon’s column or an earlier article if you disagree with President’s claim that there isn’t “much public concern” about the issue.
Hundreds of people have already sent messages of concern to President Samarasekera and Chancellor Linda Hughes through our Action Alert on the issue, and organizations including INFACT Canada and the UK’s Baby Milk Action have also called on the University to not reward Mr. Brabeck-Letmathe with the University’s highest honour.
In a letter sent today to President Samarasekera and Chancellor Linda Hughes, Council of Canadians Chairperson Maude Barlow wrote of Mr. Brabeck-Letmathe, “His and his company’s record on the very issue for which you are rewarding him with an honorary degree, water, is particularly egregious. … Rewarding such a record with your institution’s highest honour would be a global black mark on the university’s reputation. I urge you in the strongest possible terms to revoke the honorary degree that you plan to award to Mr. Brabeck-Letmathe in order to preserve the honour and integrity of the University of Alberta.”
In Edmonton, a series of events are planned leading up to the March 1 ceremony:
A conversation on the issue, “Water, Nestle, and an Honorary Degree” is being held at the Alberta International House (8801-111 Street) on Thursday, February 16 from 8:00 pm to 9:30 pm. (See the Facebook event).
The Council of Canadians U of A Chapter is hosting two special advance preview screenings of the new film Bottled Life: Nestle’s Business With Water. A daytime screening on Tuesday, February 28 from 2:00-4:00 pm in Telus Building Room 217/219 (see the Facebook event) and an evening screening on Wednesday, February 29 from 7:00-9:00 pm in Education Centre South Room 129 (see the Facebook event).
Students, faculty and citizens will join together to “Say No to a U of A Honorary Degree for Nestle!” (see the Facebook event) on Tuesday, March 1 at 2:00 pm at the Timms Centre for the Arts (87 Avenue and 112 Street), where Mr. Brabeck-Letmathe is scheduled to receive his honorary degree in a ceremony starting at 3:00 pm. You can also register to attend the honorary degree ceremony.
What you can do:
1. Continue to voice your opposition to the granting of this honorary degree! Email the U of A President and Chancellor.
2. Send a letter to the Edmonton Journal on either Paula Simon’s column or an earlier article if you disagree with President’s claim that there isn’t “much public concern” about the issue.
3. Share this information with your friends and through social media. The University of Alberta is on Twitter at #UAlberta.
4. If you live in Edmonton, attend the above events and make your voice heard at the March 1 ceremony.
