Filling the Gap – Food Security Social Innovation Challenge

For the first time, we’re inviting all SFU change-makers interested in food security for a day of training in systems thinking for problem-solving and social innovation, connect with community organizations and hear from local experts to create a context-specific and high-impact project in small teams. Filling the Gap is an opportunity to be introduced to the change-making community at SFU, and to take an active leadership role in developing food security projects that has the opportunity to play a small role in addressing the “gap” in food security in BC.

Why should you attend the event?

• Build meaningful connections with like-minded students from various faculties.

• Become a leader at SFU.

• Learn how to creatively tackle local and global challenges.

• Hear from SFU students regarding how they got involved and are making a difference on campus and beyond.

• Become Embark’s first Social Innovation Challenge Winner!

AGENDA

8:30 am – Sign in and breakfast

9 am – Welcome and introduction. Speaker intro to the challenge of food security in Surrey and Burnaby

9:30 am – Workshop #1: Mapping the System (using systems thinking for problem-solving)

10:30am – Work Session #1: Identify a challenge to address

12 pm – Lunch (+ 20 minute speaker 12:30-12:50pm)

1pm – Workshop #2: Effective Social Innovation

2:30 pm – Work Session #2: Identify a solution

4:30 pm – Pitches

5:30 pm – Break and food/snacks

6 pm – Presentation of winning teams. Closing remarks

SPEAKERS

Dr. Tammara Soma (Speaker)

Dr. Tammara Soma holds a Ph.D. in Planning (2018) from the University of Toronto and is the Research Director and Co-Founder of the Food Systems Lab (foodsystemslab.ca). She is an Assistant Professor at the School of Resource and Environmental Management at Simon Fraser University where she conducts research on issues pertaining to food system planning, community-based research, waste management and the circular economy. Prior to SFU, she was a Postdoctoral Fellow in the Department of Geography and Planning at the University of Toronto, and the Food Equity Coordinator at New College (University of Toronto).

Deirdre Goudriaan (she/her/hers) (Speaker)

“Deirdre is a process designer, evaluator, and researcher, facilitator and coach who has worked extensively with all scales of community and government. She leads collaborative design processes and has worked with numerous sectors, business leaders and NGO’s. For the last 12 years, Deirdre has worked with BC Healthy Communities and in her own consultancy to address wicked problems and design innovative solutions. Deirdre has a Master’s Degree in Leadership and Training and has focused on conflict resolution and negotiation and work that helps communities heal. This work spans from focused trauma support to working through conflict constructively. Deirdre is currently focused on supporting Collective Impact initiatives as a member of the Seeds of Change Surrey leadership team (food systems work) and as an Innoweave Collective Impact coach. She is certified as a Human Systems Dynamics practitioner and has been certified by Acumen in human-centered Design and Prototyping.”

Kalamity Hildebrandt (they/them) (Workshop Facilitator)

“Kalamity is a powerful force for ideas, compassion and anti-oppression commitment at SFPIRG. Formally at least somewhat trained in psychology (SFU) and law (UBC), their passion and greatest source of learning has always been grassroots organizing and community social justice education. They are responsible for spearheading new topics and approaches around the issues that SFPIRG tackles; acting as a facilitator for much of SFPIRG’s programming as well as offering custom-made workshops for the SFU community; developing educational content; mentoring students as they develop their skills as researchers, facilitators and in implementing anti-oppression ideas; supervising programs and projects such as Letters for the Inside; and more. In their spare time, Kalamity can be found playing D&D, reading too many articles on social media, and carving wooden spoons.”

ACCESSIBILITY & VENUE DETAILS

Climate

We are committed to reducing the waste created by this event, please remember to bring your reusable water bottle and/or coffee mug. Please consider using public transportation to attend this event. If you need to drive, please consider carpooling.

Scent Reduction

While we cannot ensure a fully scent-free event in this setting, we’re aiming to create a scent-reduced environment by not bringing additional scents into the space. Exposure to laundry products, colognes, hairspray, and many other scented products can trigger serious health reactions in individuals with asthma, allergies, migraines, and/or chemical sensitivities. We ask that you not wear/ apply/ or bring any scented products into this space.

Gender-Inclusive Washrooms

There are gendered washrooms in the Halpern Centre building. The nearest gender-inclusive washrooms are a short distance away in the AQ, next to the Menchie’s. We are looking into whether the Halpern Centre’s washrooms can be designated as gender-inclusive for the duration of the event.

Event Location and Wheelchair Access

Halpern Centre is located pretty well in the middle of the SFU Burnaby campus, nestled between the Library, Convocation Mall and the Academic Quadrangle (AQ). There are stairs and a ramp both providing access to the centre. Due to extensive construction on campus, especially in Convocation Mall, we encourage folks to arrive early with extra time to navigate the campus. The event space is wheelchair and scooter accessible, but will require extra navigation due to the construction.

Electromagnetic Frequencies

Some folks are sensitive and/or get sick from electromagnetic frequency radiation (EMF). This can include radiation from cell phones, Wi-Fi, fluorescent lights, and more. SFU Burnaby has Wi-Fi set up throughout its campus, including in the Halpern Centre event space. The event is also in a room equipped with fluorescent lighting. We ask that folks turn off cellphones if possible to help reduce EMF exposure, recognizing that some folks will need to keep their cellphones on (for work, emergency contacts, etc.).

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This event is being hosted on the unceded territory of the Coast Salish Peoples. In particular, this includes the land of the Musqueam, Skxwú7mesh, and Tsleil-Waututh nations.