We’re so excited to invite you to WEC’s National virtual Fall conference, happening at the end of October 2021!

This conference aims to highlight the possibilities of inclusive design so that those not typically engaged in community services are welcomed, resourced appropriately and supported. We would like to recognize the generous support of the Government of Canada – Women and Gender Equality (WAGE) and Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for helping make this conference possible.

Objectives:

The conference aims to achieve the following goals:

1. Explore key issues affecting gender inclusion, particularly for under-represented groups
2. Learn the power of innovation and leadership in inclusive design for community services through partnership/participant experiences
3. Share how academia and the nonprofit sector can work together to advocate for the needs of women from underrepresented groups
4. Discover best practices, effective policies, research and stories on successful civic, economic, and social inclusion of indigenous women, BIPOC women, newcomers and LGBTQ2S+

Description:

This conference aims to highlight the possibilities of inclusive design so that those not typically engaged in community services are engaged, welcomed, resourced appropriately and supported.

Through a series of thematic sessions, we will bring to focus the experiences of women from equity-seeking groups (Black, Indigenous, immigrants, women of colour, women with disability and LGBTQ2S+).  Women will raise awareness of the barriers faced which impact their sense of belonging, participation in services and achievement of goals.

We will also explore innovative approaches that can better support women from equity-seeking groups to embed their DNA into project design, creating more inclusive policies and programming.

Speakers: 

We are looking for speakers who apply inclusive design practices so they can share their stories, successes and failures so we can strengthen diversity and inclusion.  All people are welcome including practitioners, evaluators, researchers, under-represented women and others with expertise on Inclusionary/exclusionary practices that impact Black, Indigenous, immigrants, women of colour, women with disability and LGBTQ2S+.

The conference is designed to engage and educate a worldwide/national audience, including academics and professionals from universities, government agencies, non-profit organizations, the private sector and the community. Presenters will use panels, workshops, roundtables and multimedia to share their expertise.

If you want to speak at the conference, present your research paper or share your organization’s work, please submit your application here. You have until the first week of September 2021 to apply! 

We encourage you to invite colleagues to participate in the conference and submit original material.

Benefits of Becoming a Speaker:

• Reach out to a national audience and connect with potential partners, funders and stakeholders.
• Increase awareness of your organization and your work 
• Increase awareness of your research.
• Share best practices and get feedback from the audience.

Conference Themes and Topics: 

• Challenges to inclusion for women from equity-seeking groups: who is being left out and why?
• Inclusive design, planning, execution, and assessment and evaluation.
• Success stories of inclusive and collaborative projects that serve Black, Indigenous, immigrants, women of colour and LGBTQ2S+.

Cost:

Free