In this issue:
- Local Speakers at the 2nd UN Habitat in Towns: Collingwood World Summit, October 7 and 8
- Municipal World Article from inaugural 2020 Summit
- 2020 Summit Resolution items
- Job Opportunity – Network Coordinator – Deadline October 13!
Local Speakers at World Summit
Over 60 speakers from countries and towns across the world are participating at this year’s UN Habitat in Towns: Collingwood World Summit taking place online October 7 and 8, 2021. Summit speakers are addressing topics such as inclusive housing, urban data and assessment, regional and global connectivity, climate and environmental action, and public participation and civic engagement for inclusive sustainable development.
The Institute is part of Collingwood’s Sustainable Development Goals/SDG Town Task Force and has recommended several local speakers addressing themes highlighted through Institute events, articles, and videos including:
- Claudia Ferraro, Poet Laureate, Collingwood
- Marg Scheben-Edey, Chairperson, Regional Housing Committee of Simcoe County Alliance to End Homelessness and Vice-Chair of the Collingwood Affordable Housing Task Force – How a regional collaboration led to 9 “Aha” moments
- Julie Scarcella, Founder, EcoSpex Inc., Town of the Blue Mountains, Aligning housing strategies with achieving the SDGs
- Catherine Daw, Co-Founder, Collingwood Climate Action Team, How social enterprises like Sustainable Waterloo Region are working with business and government to achieve the SDGs
- Jeffery Fletcher, Manager of Sustainability and Solid Waste, Town of the Blue Mountains – The Blue Mountains Future Story – an engagement model for creating a sustainable town
- Marilyn Struthers, Principal, M. Struthers & Co, Facilitation, Project Development Coaching, and Organizational Support for Community Organizations – The Institute of Southern Georgian Bay, Grey Bruce Climate Action Network; and Andrea Nemtin, Executive Director for Social Innovation Canada, Financialization of Housing. Partners include Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation, Social Innovation Canada, MaRS Discovery District, and Centre for Social Innovation.
Inaugural Summit Resolution Items
The 2020 Habitat in Towns: Collingwood World Summit Resolution was created by the participants of the Summit. Of the 38 Resolution items, the Institute’s Our Sustainable Future discussion series is focusing on connecting people across the region, sharing knowledge, and fostering collaborative action on Items 18, 19, and 20, in particular. Two events remain in the series: Sustainable, Attainable, Affordable Housing; and Connecting Innovative Towns and Innovation Districts. Look for more information in upcoming newsletters.
The aim of 2021 Summit organizers is to have this year’s resolution reflect on, review, develop priorities, and track change from the 2020 Resolution, as well as capture future ambitions as discussed this year.
Municipal World Article
For last year’s Summit, Institute Design team members Marilyn Struthers, Yvonne Hamlin, and Liz Rykert created a presentation on what we learned through the 2020 Mapping Our Road to Recovery online discussion series. The article, highlighting 5 recommendations to municipalities, was published by Municipal World.
Job Opportunity – Regional Arts Action Network Coordinator – Deadline October 13!
One of the three main elements of the collaborative Regional Arts & Culture Strategy released by the Institute last month is the development of the Regional Arts Action Network.
The Network is now seeking an individual with a passion for the arts to support the ongoing development of the fledgling Network. The Network Coordinator will facilitate and manage the Regional Arts Action Network of Southern Georgian Bay and will ideally be familiar with a network approach and have experience leading an emerging project, based on collaboration and shared leadership.
Milestones:
- Identify and confirm key subsectors and leaders
- Confirm key partners for the Network
- Identify and develop an initial set of activities and actions for each core strategy element
- Coordinate the collective discussion of what success would look like
- Track relevant data and report progress
- Advocate to regional municipalities
Experience with one or more of the following will be an asset: Network development and management, communications, branding and marketing, fundraising and grant writing, and systems development to map and promote cultural assets in the region.
Essential:
- Self-starter, working from their home or office in Southern Georgian Bay
- Strong interpersonal skills
- Willingness to work with a diverse group
- Solid presentation skills
- Dynamic problem-solving skills, open to new ideas
- Detail-oriented, results-oriented
- Comfortable with technology – databases, Google Drive, etc.
A letter of interest and CV can be sent to Susan Cook, [email protected], by October 13.
This is a 6-month contract. Total budget at this time is $10,000. Anticipate approximately 20 hours per week, receiving ongoing guidance and support from the Network representative. Must have own transportation or access to same. Must have own computer with up-to-date programs, including Microsoft Office Suite.