James Carnegie can vouch for that. After attending the symposium for the last two years, the third-year Brock University student started the Brock Students for Life club at the St. Catharines, Ont. school.

“It’s a boost in morale to go there and see so many other people taking an active stance on the issue at their university and who aren’t afraid to speak up and defend the rights of the unborn and for all of human life,” said the Brock club’s president and third-year English language and literature student.

The symposium is made up of three main parts: speakers, skill-building workshops and networking opportunities with students from across the country, said Richmond.

She said speakers are experts in different areas of the pro-life movement, from pro-life apologetics relating specifically to abortion to euthanasia and assisted suicide to stem cell research.

“We have these different experts coming to impart their knowledge to students to give them the information that they need,” she said. “Then we also have a more practical side where we’re actually training with the skills and strategies so they’re able to take all this information they learn and communicate it.”

Some of the workshops include tips on gaining club members, defending the pro-life position, planning and running successful events and dealing with conflict — something that pro-life groups across university campuses are not unfamiliar with.

Pro-life groups have come increasingly under fire on Canadian campuses in recent years as student unions refuse to grant official status and the accompanying funds due to the pro-life groups’ stance against abortion and other life issues.

According to Carnegie, the tips he picked up have already been helpful in the beginning weeks of school.

“One of the most important things that we have been able to use so far at the club table at school has been apologetics training — learning how to defend our position in a way that will be appealing to the whole campus,” said Carnegie.

They’ve also used ideas they’ve picked up such as writing in the campus newspaper and starting up a blog.

But the unity felt during the weekend is one of the most important aspects, said Richmond.

“They’re able to foster relationships between the clubs by attending the symposium, share ideas and resources as well as to make them feel like they’re not alone on campus — this is something that’s going on across the country.”

Richmond says NCLN is working with 30 pro-life student groups nationwide — 25 with status (meaning they are recognized by their student union) and five who are working on gaining status.

For more information, see www.ncln.ca.