Isfeld Memorial Lecture Series

The Isfeld Memorial Lecture Series was named for Mark Isfeld, a Canadian peacekeeper killed on June 21st 1994 while removing landmines in Croatia. Mark was a member of the 1st Combat Engineering Regiment of the Canadian Military Engineers on his third tour of the United Nations peacekeeping mission to Croatia.

Mark Isfeld symbolizes Canadian peacekeeping efforts in the Balkans and is remembered for his distribution of the "Izzy Dolls." The "Izzy Dolls" were created by Isfeld's mother, Carol, after she saw a photo Mark sent home of a doll amid the rubble of building. To describe the picture he wrote, "A little girl has lost her doll -- a little girl has lost her doll." Carol Isfeld began to crochet the "Izzy Dolls" and send them overseas to Mark, who then gave the dolls to children who had little. Carol Isfeld continued to crochet the dolls after Mark's death.

The Isfeld Memorial Lecture Series was thus named in 2008 in order to recognize the sacrifices of Canadian troops in the line of duty, as well as to support current Canadian efforts overseas. It seeks to educate SSUNS delegates about current world issues and the importance of being an active citizen. The Series spans several of the committees, which will present a guest speaker who is an expert in their field lecturing on one or more of the topics scheduled for the body.