We feel like we need to take the time to pause and reflect since our July newsletter and recognize that there is so much that is happening in our world. We have had severe weather issues, rising conflicts and economic struggles that are causing many of us to feel overwhelmed with grief and anxiety.
It's never been so clear to us at Tamarack the importance of belonging and how belonging can be part of the solution to our crisis that is happening around the world. We need to create a sense of community belonging so that everyone feels connected, supported and safe in our communities. A sense of community belonging is not limited to one community—it needs to extend across the nation. By strengthening community belonging and promoting connection and inclusivity, we foster working together to share stories, resources and lessons learned at a national level. Communities that stand together are better equipped to tackle the loneliness and disconnection epidemic on a broader scale, ensuring that no person is left behind.
The solution to the rise in loneliness and disconnection across Canada is not just more programs but a National Belonging Strategy. This strategy needs to weave social connection together with an integrated approach to change the physical and social environments of community belonging rather than focusing solely on individual connections to belonging. Belonging to the earth, to the people and our communities will bring hope and light that is needed as we move through these dark times.
Join Tamarack in the pursuit for a national plan that brings a sense of community belonging into the discussion of national economics and quality of life for all people in Canada.
In this article, the Tamarack Institute’s Heather Keam explores the ways in which belonging is a social pathway to ending poverty in Canada. She digs into micro, meso, and macro belonging, social capital, belonging’s economic impact, and more.
The Communities Building Belonging team is still working away building the momentum for a National Belonging Strategy for Canada.
Thank you to the almost 200 people who have shown their support and we will be reaching out to you all soon to engage you more. There are many ways for you to get involved, such as by sharing this newsletter, helping us host conversations about belonging across Canada and so much more.
This webinar will feature a conversation with Lisa Helps, a former two-term Mayor of Victoria, BC, about the structures – social, physical and relational – that create belonging at the local level.
Join 200+ diverse advocates and changemakers from the municipal, non-profit, community, and private sectors, in addition to resident-led groups engaged in climate transition efforts.
Over the two days, participants will be exposed to new ideas and be motivated by the work of peers and partners in the climate movement so that they can leave feeling equipped with actionable tools and insights to continue the work building more resilient, equitable, and sustainable futures.
For an overview of topics and questions discussed during the conversation, please see the description posted under the video on YouTube, found by clicking "View the Recording."
This tactical guide from the Canadian Parks and Recreation Association and the University of Waterloo is designed to help you re-imagine, re-think and re-purpose the spaces in your neighbourhood to support and encourage physical activity and social connections.
We were thrilled to have them host a workshop at our June event in St. Albert, Alberta, and it's a pleasure to see their work shared in this widely accessible format.
