Calgary After Vandana - What's Next


Using a participatory conversation model CCGC, Public Interest Alberta and CommunityWise Resource Centre brought together Calgarians to explore the local angle on many of the issues Dr. Vandana Shiva touched on, from local food policy and corporate power to environmental justice, peace, migration issues and more. Participants heard from experts, advocates, small business owners and discovered many different opportunities to get involved in local initiatives.

Creating Earth Democracy: 
Reclaiming the Commons from Corporate Enclosures - April 2014

CCGC supported this event by Public Interest Alberta featuring Dr. Vandana Shiva. Corporate Globalization is based on the enclosures of the commons and privatization of the public good - from our seeds and water to health and education services. Across the world, citizens and communities are defending and reclaiming the commons. Dr. Shiva's presentation focused on the story of the seed, and the work of Navdanya to defend seed freedom and create Earth Democracy.

Corporations in our Heads - November 2013

The messages from corporations tell us hundreds of times a day, in ways we may not notice anymore, how to relate to each other and to ourselves; what to buy, how to feel, how to perceive and the kind of person to aspire to be. This interactive theatre event encouraged participants to become aware of these messages, and to change our relationships to them, to live healthier and more sustainable lives with each other, with ourselves, and with the planet.

Syria: Is International Law the Enemy of the Good - October 2013

This workshop invited participants to think about how, or even whether, we can simultaneously accommodate the sovereign rights of states, protect civilian populations and uphold international laws and norms governing the use of force in armed conflict, and whether military humanitarian intervention is ever justified.

Climate Change, Displacement & Community Resiliency - Sept. 2013

Debra Davidson from the Department of Resource Economics and Environmental Sociology at the University of Alberta shared research-based perspectives on global trends in displacement related to natural disasters.  This workshop offered a unique community and people-centred perspective on this issue

Developing Your Theory of Change - February, 2013

This workshop provided participants with a planning tool for non-programmatic initiatives to help them think through how to achieve success. 

The workshop was facilitated by Brenna Atnikov of Raven Conversations, a community development practitioner with a focus on building collaborative initiatives that spark transformative change.

Peace is Possible - June 2012

Together with Canadian Friends of Oasis of Peace, and the Calgary Public Library, we hosted a presentation by Dorit Shippin from the Oasis of Peace Village Wahat al Salam-Neve Shalom in Israel.  As a long-time resident and former administrator of WASNS, Dorit shared her first hand experiences about the peacebuilding work that goes on in the village through its activities, programs and the day-to-day lives of the residents. 

Calgary Peace, Development and Social Innovation Forum - August 2012

CCGC joined UEnd: poverty and We Want Peace at this public forum to discuss the importance of fostering connections between organizations using social entrepreneurship to increase the collective impact of these endeavours.

Communities Connecting for Change Forum - October, 2012

This event brought together community members & leaders, community organizations, and people working on civic engagement to share ideas and experiences and to inspire Calgarians from all walks of life to contribute to positive change in their communities.

Attendees took part in workshops, storytelling and participatory, community-building activities.

What's Possible for Your Community -May 2012

CCGC was invited to participate in this community consultation hosted by the Community Development Learning Initiative.  After sharing our philosophy behind the value of neighbourhood gatherings, we joined residents from communities across Calgary to discuss different learning opportunities that would support them as engaged citizens.

Peacebuilding & Social Justice Workshop - July 2011

CCGC offered a two-day workshop providing participants with the opportunity to engage in creative activities in conflict transformation, mediation, and identifying points of unity.  

The workshop was led by Dr. Thomas Mark Turay, Managing Director of the Centre for Development and Peace Education in Sierra Leone and Assistant Professor in the Department of Adult Education cross-appointed to the Coady International Institute at St. Francis Xavier University. 

All That We Share: Civic engagement in Calgary - June 2011 

We were pleased to welcome Jay Walljasper, Senior Fellow at Project for Public Spaces to Calgary to share his thoughts about making the most of urban living through civic participation.   

Jay's presentation covered a wide variety of topics, with particular focus on community and urban issues, and the commons.  It was followed up by a participatory workshop where participants could sink their teeth into some of the ideas presented and to learn from the experiences of others in the room.