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Special Programs
Weapons of Influence: How Foreign Actors Target Democracies
From social media trolls to state-backed media, foreign actors are working to influence what we think and how we vote. This talk explains the strategic logic behind foreign interference, how to recognize it, and what's at stake for democracies like Canada.
Presenter:
Jean-Christophe Boucher is an Associate Professor at the Department of Political Science at the University of Calgary. His current work focuses on applying machine learning to understand how the digital world shapes society, particularly regarding foreign information manipulation and interference. He is a Fulbright Scholar and manages projects funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) and the Department of National Defence. In 2025, he served as Deputy Director - Data Science within the Rapid Response Mechanism (RRM) at Global Affairs Canada. He specializes in international relations, with a focus on foreign policy, global security, and data analytics.
| When: | Wednesday |
| Date: | June 10 |
| Time: | 7:30 - 9:00 PM |
| Where: | Varsity Acres Presbyterian Church |
| Max: | 200 |
| Presenter: | Jean-Christophe Boucher |
Register Members of the public & guests are welcome to attend (at a cost of $5). CALL members are asked to register guests for planning purposes. Members of the public need not register.
Indigenous JoyJune is National Indigenous History month in Canada Join us to learn from a panel of community artists about what “Indigenous Joy" means to them and how it relates to resilience. After the panel, there will be an informal opportunity for CALL members to discuss their observations and learnings from the event. |
| The program is being held at the Central Library. The panelist discussion will be held in the Patricia Whelan Performance Hall from 1 to 3. The CALL discussion will take place in room 3-10B from 3:30 to 4:30. To get to room 3-10B, take the elevator to the third floor, head straight, and the room should be on your right (or ask someone in a blue vest!) Please register for the panel with the Calgary Public Library under events, https://www.calgarylibrary.ca/events-and-programs/programs/national-indigenous-history-month-indigenous-joy-panel and then register for the CALL Program. Registration for the CALL discussion will be limited to 16, and is limited to CALL members only. There is no cost. |
For accessibility: The Central Library is easily accessible by train. There are several parkades close to the library including the City Hall Parkade and The Platform Parkade on 9th Ave. There is also street parking to the east in East Village. The outside east elevator is staffed by intercom and available 24 hours a day, allowing for easy passage through the archway, connecting people between East Village and City Hall. On the west side, there is an intercom at the doors near the Patricia A. Whelan Performance Hall. Visitors with mobility challenges can use this intercom to contact security in order to use these doors. Or, continue up the sloped walkway to reach the main entrance. Register Registration Cut-off June 19, 2026 |
** You must be a member of CALL to register. If you are not a member: learn more about joining CALL |
INTRODUCTION TO FOLK DANCING
| Please come out for a first-time-ever collaboration between CALL and the Calgary International Folkdancing Club (a non-profit organization). The Introduction to Folkdancing program is an opportunity to learn what folkdancing is, where the dances come from and why it is fun and good for you. The club is opening its doors warmly to CALL members and your guests for no charge in order to share the beauty and joy of folkdancing. If you are curious, active, engaged and eager to experience the cultures of the world through the language of folkdancing, this open house event is for you. No partner or dance experience is required. Please wear breathable, comfortable clothing suited to light aerobic activity and clean, soft-soled, non-marking shoes. |
The structure of the program is as follows: the folkdancers will give a brief talk about folkdancing and its origins. We will follow this with some demonstrations of common steps and patterns, as well as showcase some traditional folk dances in both open circle and line formats. And then we will invite you all to join us and dance some easy dances together which we will teach. Many of our dances come from Eastern Europe and the music is often played on traditional folk instruments. We welcome you to come experience the rich cultures of the world with your ears and feet!
A light snack and beverages will be served after dancing. We will have handouts ready with information about connecting to local folk dance communities and clubs, including ours, the Calgary International Folkdancing Club.
| Date: | Saturday September 5, 2026 from 12-1 pm |
| Location: | 10th Calgary Sara Scout Hall - 609 Rideau Road SW. T2S OR8 |
| Parking: | Ample free street parking on Rideau Road and side streets |
| Max: | 25 |
| Cost: | Free to CALL members and guests |
| Facilitator: | Laura Di Lembo |
Click here for more information and look for Laura's email under "Special Programs"
Register yourself and up to 2 guests
** You must be a member of CALL to register. If you are not a member: learn more about joining CALL
These are programs that do not fit the categories of Interest Groups and Study Programs or established Speaker Series such as Health and Wellness, Treks and Travels, Science and Environment, or CALL Cafe. A Special Program can be provided in a variety of forms. Some examples could include a single speaker event, a tour of a local establishment or cultural event, a series of workshops, etc. If a CALL member or groups of members wish to organize such an event, the Special Program Coordinator is available to provide advice and support and can act as a liaison with other areas of the organization.
To contact Special Programs visit CALL Contacts for contact information.