2026 Jack P. Blaney Award with Dr. Amal Elsana Alh'jooj

Simon Fraser University's Morris J. Wosk Centre for Dialogue is pleased to announce Dr. Amal Elsana Alh'jooj as this year's recipient of the Jack P. Blaney Award for Dialogue.

Amal is the founding executive director of PLEDJ (Promoting Leadership for Empowerment, Development and Justice) and an associate professor at McGill University's School of Social Work. A Bedouin Palestinian feminist and community organizer, she has spent more than 30 years organizing across the Middle East and Canada, including co-founding the Arab-Jewish Center for Equality, Empowerment and Cooperation to build ties between Bedouin and Jewish communities in Israel's Negev region.

The award recognizes her work to elevate Indigenous approaches to dialogue, and her efforts across lines of gender, race, religion, nationality and age in pursuit of peace and justice alike. Her memoir, Hope is a Woman's Name, traces her own path as an Indigenous Bedouin Palestinian woman navigating identity, family and politics.

On November 30, join us for an award presentation and dialogue as we honour Dr. Alh’jooj and her work in shaping the art of dialogue to create societal change, and hear her speak about her work.

Doors will open at 6:00 pm, formal program runs 6:30 - 8:00 pm. You are invited to join us for a reception following the dialogue.

The Jack P. Blaney Award for Dialogue is given every second year to an individual who has demonstrated excellence in the use of dialogue to internationally further the understanding of complex and profound public issues. Past recipients of the award include Chief Judge of the Yurok Tribe Abby Abinanti; writer, activist and facilitator adrienne maree brown and Indigenous activist Siila Watt-Cloutier.

Simon Fraser University respectfully acknowledges the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish), səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), q̓íc̓əy̓ (Katzie), kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (Kwikwetlem), Qayqayt, Kwantlen, Semiahmoo and Tsawwassen peoples on whose unceded traditional territories our three campuses reside.

In-Person

Washrooms are located on the lower level, second, third and fourth floors of the building. The venue has a gender-neutral washroom, available on the second floor in the east hallway. All floors within the building, including the venue and washrooms, are wheelchair accessible and serviced by elevators.

Do you have any accessibility needs you'd like met for this event? Please email us at [email protected] with at least two weeks’ notice and we will do our best to accommodate your request.

The SFU Morris J. Wosk Centre for Dialogue is located at 580 W. Hastings St (enter by Seymour Street at Joe Segal Way), and is a brief walk from Waterfront station and numerous bus stops. Bike racks are available outside the Hastings entrance of SFU Harbour Centre (located across the street). Nearby parking is available at 500 & 400 W. Cordova St.

This event is being photographed and video-recorded by SFU for archival, education, and related promotional purposes. By attending or participating in this event, you are giving your consent to be photographed and/or video-recorded.

If you do not wish to be photographed and/or video-recorded, please email [email protected].

This is an inclusive event. By submitting your registration, you are agreeing to engage with organizers and other guests at the event in a respectful manner. Offensive or discriminatory behaviour and/or language toward event organizers and other guests will not be tolerated. Such behaviour may result in the removal or banning of the individual(s) from future events.

As this event is free, and free events routinely have a high number of no-shows, it is our policy to overbook. In case of a full event, registration may not guarantee entry. Seating is limited and will be available to registered attendees on a first-come, first-served basis.