Organizers hope dialogue sparks lasting change in the Interlake
Residents are being invited to pull up a chair and join in a World Café conversation this month, where small-group discussions will focus on some of the most pressing issues facing the Interlake.
The event takes place Tuesday, Sept. 16, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at Gimli New Horizons, 17 Loni Beach Rd.
Bill Martin, one of the event organizers, said the purpose of the World Café is to create a safe, structured and inclusive way for community members to speak frankly about urgent concerns and begin developing strategies together.
“We are a group of citizens committed to working with all segments of our beloved community to address the many and pressing concerns in our time, including, but not limited to equity, justice, discrimination, threats against our democracy, economic uncertainty, impending climate disaster, disabling stress, and more,” Martin said. “We believe that the people living here in our community have the knowledge and the expertise to identify and address the issues in our lives.”
He added that participants can expect to come away with “a deepened awareness and appreciation of the power and capacity that our community has to explore and develop ways of supporting each other, of defending and protecting jobs, of protecting our democracy and our environment and more.”
Topics chosen for discussion include the decorum of politicians, water and Lake Winnipeg, mental health, homelessness and affordable housing, transportation in the Interlake, and activities for youth. Martin said these issues reflect both local realities and global concerns.
“Democracy is under siege around the world — there is a great need for citizens to become intimately aware of and involved in the processes of democracy. Those who make the sacrifice of serving in our political system profoundly need the electorate to understand and to insist upon respectful relations in the political sphere,” he said.
On water, Martin noted, “Lake Winnipeg is central to our lives. In order for our community, our people to survive and thrive, we must learn everything possible about the possible future of what has been and will continue to be the foundation of our community. We need to know what our neighbours think about climate change, and we need to join together to support actions that will preserve Lake Winnipeg for our children and grandchildren.”
He said meaningful discussions are also needed about transportation, which affects all residents; and activities for youth, which he described as “our greatest joy and our greatest asset.”
“Our culture does not enable connection between generations,” Martin added. “We need to dialogue frankly and openly with each other to determine what we know.”
Mental health is expected to draw strong interest. “I know that individuals who are not connected with each other, with community, are much more likely to become addicted, to violence, to crime,” Martin said.
Feedback gathered during the event will be shared with local media, as well as schools, churches, businesses, governments, and service organizations. “We will offer to develop processes to expand our community knowledge and capabilities and work together to strengthen and develop ways to make our community stronger for all,” Martin said.
The World Café format has been refined over many years and relies on trained facilitators to guide small-group discussions. Martin said the process creates “a safe container where participants are comfortable raising issues and challenging the views of others.”
He hopes the event will be a starting point for new collaborations in the Interlake. “The entire purpose of our World Café is to lead to future projects and collaborations within our community,” Martin said.
The evening is co-hosted by Seniors Reaching Out and Gimli New Horizons. Coffee, tea and snacks will be provided, with a silver collection at the door.
Space is limited, and residents are encouraged to register in advance by emailing Martin at bill.martin9@icloud.com.
