2009 Agenda

The 2009 programme required 25+ hours of Pre-conference Research

  • a customized on-line course to ensures everyone shares a common language and understanding around sustainability; and,
  • virtual work groups to explore sustainability practices in large and small organisations in the fields of: insurance and financial services; manufacturing; retail; municipal public services; food systems; energy production; information and communications technology; and, hospitality and tourism.

Within each sector, participants in teams of two assessed one company’s practices around:

  • Mitigating and adapting to climate change
  • Caring for employees
  • Ensuring responsible management
  • Caring for consumers
  • Protecting water
  • Protecting air
  • Fighting poverty
  • Advancing human rights
  • Engaging the community and contributing to social development

Before the conference  even started, participants created a report table for their specific organisation; a summary report table highlighting practices, policies and performance across each sector; and ideas and questions generated as a result of their research to explore with sector experts and academics at the conference.

Participants were also able to approach an academic advisor to discuss opportunities for an Independent Study course credit or as the basis for an Undergraduate Honours Thesis.

2009 Conference Agenda

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24th - University of Guelph

3:00-6:00pm

Welcome to Guelph! Registration, a formal welcome, ice-breakers and orientation on the beautiful University of Guelph campus precede dinner at 6pm.

6:00-7:00pm – Dinner

7:00-9:00pm – Issues Panel and Discussion

Farouk Jiwa, Nancy Neamtan, Peter Scheifke and Bob Willard – nationally and internationally renowned experts tackle issues of climate change, poverty, community engagement and engaging people to tackle sustainability challenges.

9:00 pm- onward- Team Meetings and Socializing

Sector groups meet to determine how to maximize their objectives within the conference’s time constraints.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25th – at the River Run Centre

8:15am – Bus departs for River Run Centre

9:00am – Conference Welcome

9:10am – 10:30 Keynote Speaker: Dr. David Suzuki

World renowned sustainability leader, Dr.David Suzuki, excites and empowers the participants and broadens their thinking on sustainability.

10:30 am – 11:15am – Break & Group Photo

11:15am – Collaboration with Sector Experts and Academics

After hours of pre-conference research to assess current practices, participants roll-up their sleeves to assess, develop and test new approaches with sector experts and academics.

12:30-1:15 pm – Lunch

1:15-3:45 pm – “Systems Thinking” Cross Sector Issue Examination

Karl-Henrik Robèrt, Founder of The Natural Step said:

“We cannot solve the challenges of sustainability by being specialists who focus solely on our narrow fields of expertise. The complexity of our challenges requires that we emerge from our ‘drill-holes’ of knowledge to think in systems – with a shared understanding of the systemic challenges at a principle level. Then we can be specialists in the service of sustainability.”

This session generates collaboration across sectors with the assistance of sector experts and academics.

4:00 – 5:00 pm – Sector experts address plenary

6:00-7:00pm – Dinner

7:00-9:30pm -Learning Topics

During two of six one-hour workshops, participants develop important skills to maximise their effectiveness as sustainability catalysts post-conference.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 26th – University of Guelph

8:00-9:00am – Breakfast

9:00-12:o0 – Students generate sector specific solutions

After Saturday’s work with experts and academics, participants continue to fine tune sector specific solutions.

12:00-4:30pm – Working Lunch & Packaging Ideas

Based on an understanding of their target audience, participants develop materials that effectively convey sustainability solutions. Eg: written report, Power Point, You Tube video, etc. Each group will post one or more tools on this site post-conference.

4:30-6:00pm – Students Showcase Solutions- Plenary Session

A representative of each group briefly presents their solutions and communications strategy to the plenary. Afterwards, everyone can circulate, meet the other groups and see what they have accomplished at sector ‘display booths’.

6:30-6:45 pm – Bus Departs for Dinner and Evening Event

7:00 pm -An evening of Fun and Drum

Participants take part in African drumming led by Fule Badoe of Afroculture in the picturesque setting of Strom’s Family Farm. Then it’s an evening of campfires and camaraderie.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 27th – University of Guelph

8:00-9:00am – Breakfast & Post conference opportunities

Conference partners will present post-conference opportunities to participants. For example, mentorship opportunities, job boards, ongoing learning, etc.

9:00-10:15am – Key-note Speaker: Peter Scheifke

Having spent the week-end on the issues panel, working with participants and experiencing the conference, Peter borrows from his own experience to excite and empower participants to become catalysts for sustainability solutions post-conference.

10:30-11:30am – Personal Commitments

Chad Park and Anouk Bertner of The Natural Step Canada will guide participants to consider their overall experience and make a commitment to act after the conference. They may chose to ask others to join their initiative. Each regional group will select one or two commitments to share with the plenary. These will be posted on this site to inspire others after the conference.

11:30am – Final Words

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