Café Pracademique – ‘Solving Real World Challenges’

by Samreen Khan

 

Public policy is an integral part of our society. In a country like Canada, which has many traits of a social welfare system, public policy takes on a life of its own, impacting thousands of lives each year. Yet, many community members feel unable to influence or engage in this very important aspect of their lives. The newest IPAC Edmonton initiative, Café Pracademique, aims to solve this issue by bringing together public servants, students, citizens, and community leaders all together in one space.

CaféPrac is an innovative initiative that brings academia and practitioners together on the same platform in order to solve complex issues of our society. It represents a revolutionary way of designing, delivering and studying public policy in Canada by engaging attendees with exciting thought leaders and providing action-based results.

There will be four, day-long café sessions spanning over March and April.

o   Public Sector Leadership: “Building Our Future, Developing Tomorrow’s Leaders”

-          What news ways of learning, particularly in higher education, will Canadians need in order to thrive in an evolving society and labour market?

-          March 7, 2016

o   Environment and Sustainability: “Green is the New Black, Mobilizing Eco-Citizens”

-          What effects will the quest for energy and natural resources have on our society and our position on the world stage? How do eco-citizens overcome (socio)psychological barriers to pro-environmental action on an individual basis?  What role can governments play in supporting individuals to do so?

-          March 22, 2016

o   Digital Public Service: “#GovConnect, Advancing Inclusive Digital Services”

-          How can emerging technologies be leveraged to benefit all e-citizens including persons with disabilities?

-          April 12, 2016

o    Indigenous Affairs: “Connecting Our Futures, Building Reconciliation Today”

-          How are the experiences and aspirations of Aboriginal Peoples in Canada essential to building a successful shared future?

-          April 28, 2016

-          ALSO, check out IPAC-NWT’s Northern Governance Conference – “Learning from One Another” in early March in Yellowknife.

Each café will look to provide unique solutions that may be carried forward by the members of each session into their real lives where they can be implemented in real time. For example, the café on Environment and Sustainability will aim at encouraging individuals to consider environmental impacts they can have at the individual and collective levels. This will be promoted by creating impactful storyboards of movies and videos.

Volunteering with CaféPrac has been a fulfilling and challenging experience in many different ways. I would recommend anyone who is interested in public policy, or just looking to expand their skillset, to get involved! We are always looking for new volunteers. I hope the cafés will impact many more people and communities across Edmonton and Alberta in an extremely positive and proactive way. I am hopeful that these events will spread awareness and create conversations amongst practitioners and citizens alike regarding local actions affecting large societal changes.

If you need more information on CaféPrac, you may do so by visiting our website:

www.cafepracademique.com OR you may email us at cafeprac@gmail.com.