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‘Roboethics’ isn’t science fiction anymore

June 23rd, 2014 | Posted by pfmarchive in uncategorized - (Comments Off on ‘Roboethics’ isn’t science fiction anymore)

Robotics experts are investigating the ethical implications inherent to firsthand interactions between humans and robots

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More than 20 Nobel Peace Prize Laureates have endorsed a joint statement calling for a ban on weapons that would be able to select and attack targets without meaningful human control. The group is warning that “lethal robots” could completely and forever change the face of war and likely spawn a new arms race. The Laureates are encouraging a public debate about the ethics and morality of autonomous weapons systems. They’ve also welcomed the establishment of a Campaign to Stop Killer Robots.

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Front page tragedies: Mentally ill people are being criminalized

June 17th, 2014 | Posted by pfmarchive in uncategorized - (Comments Off on Front page tragedies: Mentally ill people are being criminalized)

Society’s wait-and-see inactivity—until something horrible happens—in effect criminalizes mental illness, says Austin Mardon

picture 551Austin Mardon is an academic, author, and community leader who has participated in community based volunteerism and is an advocate for the disabled.  He has also struggled with schizophrenia for much of his adult life. In 2006, Austin became the first Canadian with schizophrenia to be awarded the Order of Canada. In a full commentary published on June 14, 2014 in the Edmonton Journal, Austin argues that mental illness should be treated as aggressively as cancer. “Our inactivity as a society until something horrible happens,” he writes, “in effect criminalizes mental illness, which is first and foremost an illness and a medical issue.” Austin believes that tragedies such as the murders of three Moncton, New Brunswick RCMP officers on June 4, will continue to happen until we learn to diagnose and treat mental illnesses quickly and aggressively.

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Manjit Virk, his daughter’s death, and teaching for all

June 11th, 2014 | Posted by pfmarchive in uncategorized - (Comments Off on Manjit Virk, his daughter’s death, and teaching for all)

The Reena Virk tragedy has become teaching for all of us

manjit virkIn the years since their daughter, Reena Virk, was murdered in Victoria B.C., Suman and Manjit Virk have made their work against bullying a top priority. In November 2009 British Columbia’s Solicitor General Kash Heed presented the Virks with the Anthony J. Hulme Award of Distinction, B.C.’s highest honour for community safety and crime prevention. (more…)

Gabor Mate on the hungry ghosts of addiction

June 3rd, 2014 | Posted by pfmarchive in uncategorized - (Comments Off on Gabor Mate on the hungry ghosts of addiction)

gabor matepfr banner working In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts: Close Encounters with Addiction takes a panoramic yet highly intimate look at the widespread and perplexing human ailment of addiction

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Mark McLaughlin and his campaign against meth

June 2nd, 2014 | Posted by pfmarchive in uncategorized - (Comments Off on Mark McLaughlin and his campaign against meth)

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It has been described as a ‘hideously destructive substance’…and ‘the most addictive drug in the world’. Methamphetamine is a drug with high potential for widespread abuse—due to the portability of its manufacture. Canada’s meth problem is worst in British Columbia and a recent survey suggests that one in five B.C. students know of someone who has used it. Mark McLaughlin and the B.C. Crystal Meth Society have worked tirelessly since 2005 to provide prevention education to thousands of pupils across the province. (more…)

Dissolve: A play about drug-facilitated sexual assault

February 13th, 2014 | Posted by pfmarchive in uncategorized - (Comments Off on Dissolve: A play about drug-facilitated sexual assault)

243834531.htmlThis is actually happening in our community!  And it is happening much more frequently than we would like to think.  Survivors rarely step forward with a report to the police- the reasons for this are many and are understandable- she wonders if she will be believed, her memory has been impacted, she may blame herself, she may feel shame and fear…

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