"I love working with young people and providing them with opportunities through the Laurentian Leadership Centre. It is wonderful to see people blossom when they find the right fit for their lives, finding that sweet spot where they can serve God and the community."
— Dr. Janet Epp Buckingham, Director of TWU's Laurentian Leadership Centre
Dr. Janet Epp Buckingham is a lawyer, professor at Trinity Western University and the Director of the Laurentian Leadership Centre, a one-semester public policy program in Ottawa, Canada. She previously served as director, law and public policy, for the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada and Executive Director of the Christian Legal Fellowship in Canada. She was a religious freedom advocate at the UN in Geneva for the World Evangelical Alliance from 2003-2006.
In 2012, Dr. Buckingham was awarded the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Medal, which honours significant contributions and achievements by Canadians.
Dr. Buckingham’s research area is religious freedom law in Canada and internationally, and she continues to write and publish frequently on these topics. She is the managing editor of the International Journal for Religious Freedom. In February 2021, Dr. Buckingham was appointed the Director Designate of Global Advocacy with the World Evangelical Alliance.
During Women’s History Month at TWU, we seek to hear from experts across campus about the influence of women in history and society. Here below, we hear from Dr. Buckingham about leadership and resilience.
Hi Dr. Buckingham, what has helped you in your journey of teaching and leadership, and what are a few tips you have?
I was given amazing leadership opportunities at a young age. I love working with young people and providing them with opportunities through the Laurentian Leadership Centre. It is wonderful to see people blossom when they find the right fit for their lives, finding that sweet spot where they can serve God and the community. I share these leadership lessons with my students each semester:
- Everyone has a boss so learn to follow before you try to lead.
- Learn to lead yourself before leading others. If you can’t lead yourself, you really can’t lead others.
- Know yourself and be true to yourself.
- Make friends with yourself and appreciate who you are.
- Be present where you are until it is time to leave.
- The best leaders empower others to be their best selves.
Who are some of the women who inspire you, and why?
I am inspired by the many Christian women I know who work to make a positive difference in the world. I am inspired by Carolyn Arends, who leads Renovare to encourage us to walk with Christ. I am inspired by Lorna Dueck, who was president of Crossroads Communication and had a TV show on public affairs before she left it all to care for her husband.
I am inspired by the many young women I have taught who have passion and commitment to being world changers in big ways and small.
I am inspired by young women in the global arena who have stood up for what they believe in; women like Malala who stands for educating women in Muslim countries and like Amanda Gorman who stands against racism.
What has been a highlight of teaching at TWU in recent months?
I have been very impressed by my students this year. In the fall semester, we had a two-cohort system. Each cohort came to the LLC for half a semester to do a full-time internship. The cohort not at the LLC did three courses on Zoom. It was not the best situation but the students made the best of it. They were positive and enthusiastic. I did not hear one complaint! In the spring semester, students came for the full semester but still had two of the three classes on Zoom, and many did most of their internships remotely. Again, the students were so grateful for one in-person class. They did not complain about remote internships but made the best of them! These students are going into a changing workplace with a great attitude and a lot of resilience.
About Trinity Western University
Founded in 1962, Trinity Western University is Canada’s premier Christian liberal arts university dedicated to equipping students to establish meaningful connections between career, life, and the needs of the world. It is a fully accredited research institution offering liberal arts and sciences, as well as professional schools in business, nursing, education, human kinetics, graduate studies, and arts, media, and culture. It has five campuses and locations: Langley, Richmond-Lansdowne, Richmond-Minoru, Ottawa, and Bellingham, WA. TWU emphasizes academic excellence, research, and student engagement in a vital faith community committed to forming leaders to have a transformational impact on culture. Learn more at www.twu.ca or follow us on Twitter @TrinityWestern, on Facebook and LinkedIn.
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