Montreal, October 25-27 2016
Over a hundred leading thinkers, activists and community leaders among which Tim Shriver, chair of Special Olympics and NBA super star Dikembe Mutongo gathered from over 23 countries at McGill University on October 25-27, 2016 to further develop a shared perspective on the importance of social connectedness in community-driven change and development.
From remote regions of Nunavut, to the Masaai homelands, to urban centers across North America and Europe, participants came together in a remarkable opportunity to build understanding and build community. Through a dynamic facilitated process, every participant joined as both teacher and learner and had the opportunity to share insights, experience and strategies. Bulgaria and Central and Eastern Europe was represented by BFPA Executive Director, Dr. Radosveta Stamenkova.
Through a collaborative dialogue which drew together lived experience, traditional knowledge, research and practice, several points of commonality emerged. Social isolation emerges as a critical dimension to key challenges relating to poverty, health and community resilience, either causing or reinforcing some of the most pervasive aspects of development challenges.
Participants shared the reality of a complex relationship with education, knowledge and learning. A common point of understanding acknowledged the isolating impact violence, colonialism and power structures have had on entire communities and groups. Education is both an essential aspect to overcoming isolation but also one requiring particular focus, care and respect for cultural affirmation, community capacity and enabling self-determination.
The Symposium also helped reveal the commonality between Indigenous worldview and values and the best of emerging development practice and social policy. Through an appreciation and understanding of the inter-connectedness of all peoples and the natural world and ensuring the central role of the community, strategies embedded in listening, awareness and solidarity emerge as the most effective, sustainable and successful strategies to tackle our shared global goals such as those expressed through the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Finally, participants confirmed that movement building to respond to challenges and build social connectedness occurs on many levels. Participants concluded the Global Symposium affirming their partnership within the movement and connection to the community of practice building social connectedness across the Globe.
