Around the world the COVID-19 pandemic has challenged borders. Governments have shut their borders to travel or layered in quarantine, testing, and vaccination requirements. This “new normal” for borders has severely challenged mobility between nations, including within regional blocks such as the E.U. It has also done the same within nations. Even more locally, restrictions on access to long-term care homes and hospitals are their own kind of border control.

Border closures can work to stymie the spread of a virus. But they come at cost. Industries and livelihoods reliant on travel can be impacted. Supply chains of food, medical supplies, and other necessities can be compromised. The ability of migrants and refugees to access safe havens can be jeopardized. Travel restrictions may effectively discriminate against countries with unequal access to vaccines. Some governments may use COVID as a guise for border measures that are in fact motivated by political opportunism. The list goes on...

How should we rethink our approach to borders, both within this pandemic and in pandemics to come? Borders, Boundaries, Pandemics brings together speakers from across disciplines and across the world
to explore the answers.

Location

Social Sciences Building, Room 4007
120 University Private, Ottawa, Canada

Languages

The majority of panels will be in English.
Live translated captions in both languages will be available for all panels.

Registration

In-Person – Both Days: $375 / Day 1 or 2 Only: $225

Zoom – Both Days: $275 / Day 1 or 2 Only: $150

Student – Both Days:
In-person: $100 / Zoom: $50

All prices in CAD

A limited number of tickets at reduced rates are available for those who cannot attend due to price.
For more information, please contact us at healthlaw@uottawa.ca explaining your situation.

Please note

FOR IN-PERSON ATTENDANCE WE REQUEST THAT MASKS BE WORN WHENEVER POSSIBLE.

Anyone who has symptoms of COVID-19 must not attend the in-person event. In those cases we will refund the conference fee or exchange it for a Zoom attendance fee according to your preference. If you are travelling to attend the conference we recommend purchasing travel insurance that covers this contingency.

With kind support from

Y.Y. Chen

Assistant Professor, Faculty of Law, Common Law Section
University of Ottawa

Y.Y. Brandon Chen (SJD, MSW, JD, University of Toronto) is an Assistant Professor at the University of Ottawa’s Faculty of Law (Common Law Section). A lawyer and social worker by training, his research program examines legal, policy, and ethical questions that emerge at the intersection of international migration and health. His published work has touched on such topics as migrants' health and rights, social determinants of health, philosophy of health care, and medical tourism. Professor Chen's scholarly pursuits are complemented by his engagement in community-based work and advocacy in related fields. For example, between 2009 and 2011, he was publicly appointed to the Ontario Advisory Committee on HIV/AIDS. He has also served on the board of directors of such organizations as the Committee for Accessible AIDS Treatment, the Canadian Centre on Statelessness, and most recently the HIV Legal Network.

Bio coming soon

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