We Go Together Symposium

Building Solidarity & Support for Rights-Based Public Policy

Join us October 17-18 in Ottawa for an in-person gathering of the We Go Together Network.

Register Now

Throughout our two days together, we will work on:

  1. Developing a public engagement and communications strategy to build support and solidarity for rights-based approaches ahead of the next federal election.
  2. Developing a social systems map to track relationships, resources, influence, and actions among network partners to (1) help us better understand and communicate how we are engaging with one another, and (2) to identify opportunities for building our collective impact.
  3. Formally launch the We Go Together Network and develop next steps for reaching out to other partners.

Throughout the symposium, we will seek to learn and practice anti-oppressive, decolonial ways of working together and exercising community and self-care.

We are hoping this will be a gathering of about 30-50 people invited from various sectors working to advance rights-based public policy in Canada, with a particular focus on addressing poverty and inequity. Participants will include existing and prospective Network members: people who work in policy, frontline service delivery, research, and advocacy, including folks with lived experience, from a variety of sectors.

Thanks to the generous support of the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC), the Canadian Association of Social Workers (CASW), and the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), there is no fee to participate in this symposium.

We are also able to provide financial assistance to participants for whom cost would be a barrier. You may indicate a request for financial assistance in the registration form or by contacting Natalie Appleyard directly.

Please note that this event is not open to the general public, however, invitees may extend registration information to other partners they think would be interested in engaging with the We Go Together Network. Please contact Natalie Appleyard if you have any questions.

Updates will be shared with participants via email and on this website.

Thursday, October 17 – International Day for the Eradication of Poverty

8:30-9:00 – Registration
9:00-9:30 – Welcome in a good way
9:30-10:30 – Overview of the We Go Together Network
10:30-11:00 – Break with refreshments
11:00-12:00 – Network mapping
12:00-1:00 – Lunch (provided)
1:00-2:30 – Public Engagement & Communications Strategy – Session 1
2:30-3:00 – Break with refreshments
3:00-4:00 – We Go Together & the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty

Optional dinner and/or social activities

Friday, October 18

8:30-9:00 – Registration
9:00-9:30 – Day 1 review and check-in
9:30-10:30 – Public Engagement & Communications Strategy – Session 2
10:30-11:00 – Break with refreshments
11:00-12:00 – Panel: Practicing Indigenous Sovereignty in the Context of an Election
12:00-1:00 – Lunch (provided)
1:00-2:30 – Public Engagement & Communications Strategy – Session 3
2:30-3:00 – Break with refreshments
3:00-4:00 – Public Engagement & Communications Strategy: Working groups
4:00-4:30 – Working group gallery share

Optional dinner and/or social activities

The symposium will be hosted in Geneva Hall at Knox Presbyterian Church, 120 Lisgar Avenue (at the corner of Elgin and Lisgar). Knox is a 10-15 minute walk south of Parliament Hill. It is also located across Lisgar St from the Canadian Tribute to Human Rights.

Geneva Hall is wheelchair accessible, with a barrier-free washroom and with wheelchair ramp access from Elgin St.

Please indicate any accessibility needs and/or dietary restrictions in the registration form, or contact Natalie Appleyard.

Elgin Street has many shops and restaurants, and there are several hotels within a short distance of Knox.

Can you help support this work?

Thanks to generous contributions from the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC), the Canadian Association of Social Workers (CASW), and the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) we are not requiring participants to pay a registration fee for this two-day symposium. That means our meeting space, facilitation, snacks, and lunches are all being covered for you, our valued participants!

But, if you are able to provide some financial support, we would love to increase our budget to provide honoraria for some community listening sessions, and to have funds available if participants require financial support to cover the costs of traveling to the symposium.

Please consider what you might normally pay to participate in a two-day conference, or if you’d be in a position to act as a symposium sponsor. Let us know if you’re able to make a contribution in the registration form or by contacting Natalie Appleyard.

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