The Children and Youth Planning Table of Waterloo Region went international in April!
In April 2024, I travelled with CYPT members to Oakland, California for the Othering and Belonging Conference 2024 (O&B 2024). The event was hosted by john a. powell’s Othering and Belonging Institute at University of California Berkeley – an institution that may sound familiar if you attended Ashley Gallegos’ 2023 CYPT Annual Forum keynote!
As a PhD Candidate & Vanier Scholar at the University of Waterloo, I attend a few conferences every year. They’re a great chance to meet others doing similar work, to share ideas and collaborate on challenges, and hear about the latest advances in a field. At O&B 2024, I met with scientists, academics and practitioners who are at the cutting edge of work to understand and foster belonging. For example:
- Scott Shigeoka, author of Seek: How Curiosity Can Transform Your Life and Change the World, taught us to use deep curiosity to build bridges
- Imani Barbarin, Disability rights and inclusion activist, asked “Who belongs?” and discussed the interdependence of disability justice and belonging
- Roberto Bedoya, Cultural Affairs Manager for the City of Oakland, advocated for every city to have a Belonging Strategy
I also had the pleasure of sharing some of the amazing belonging work happening in Waterloo Region. I presented a research poster sharing findings from the Waterloo Region Belonging Survey, and highlighted the unique model and mission of the Children and Youth Planning Table. I heard from many attendees how appreciative they are for our focus on children and youth, as we seem to be one of the only groups centering young people in work on belonging!
The conference was great inspiration and motivation to keep amplifying young voices, fostering inclusion, and building bridges within our community.
Serena McDiarmid
Serena McDiarmid (she/her)
Development & Dissemination Coordinator, Measurement for Change | Children & Youth Planning Table
Instructor, Wicked Problem of Precarity Course, Teaching Innovation Incubator | University of Waterloo
PhD Candidate & Vanier Scholar, Social Development Lab | University of Waterloo
