Can Public Engagement Change Systems?

Addressing our toughest challenges—such as climate change, housing affordability, inequality or xenophobia—requires broad public will and action. Yet, these challenges are also rooted in far-reaching and complex systems that include many different institutions and networks. To bring about the changes we need, we have to understand and work with both systems and democratic publics.
How can citizen engagement initiatives change the systems that affect our most difficult problems? What tools and mechanisms help to ensure that citizen involvement is a driving element in government decision-making and community problem-solving?
Join us for an interactive conversation with a world-class group of field experts and practitioners, facilitated by SFU Centre for Dialogue Director Shauna Sylvester. Panelists include Joe Hsueh (Harvard University), Carolyn Lukensmeyer (National Institute for Civil Discourse) and Alex Ryan (Govt. of Alberta CoLab).
This event is co-sponsored by SFU Continuing Studies’ Community Building Programs and the SFU Centre for Dialogue, working closely with partners at the Alberta Climate Dialogue and Public Agenda. We are grateful for the generous financial support of the David and Cecilia Ting Endowment for Education for Public Responsibility.