DesignJam: A Collective Discussion for Northern Ontario

Poster with yellow and red stripes overlaid with black and white text
Thursday, August 25, 2016 - 1:00pm to 8:00pm

How might we re-­energize our economy through entrepreneurship and social innovation?

This special event brings together catalysts for individual and collective development of entrepreneurship and social innovation in Northern Ontario: government representatives, community organizations, industry, academic experts, and young people. Using a Design Thinking process, we will gain new and fresh insight into persistent issues in an interactive format.

We'll explore "How might we... 
diversify our economic foundation, 
support young people in transition, 
build and foster diversity and
revitalize downtown areas
in Northern Ontario cities?"

A Collective Discussion for Northern Ontario is a unique event for 50 people at two locations, who will explore economic development and social innovation in Northern Ontario, through Design Thinking processes. The speakers will be simulcast to both locations, and the workshops will be facilitated locally with north/south shared reporting. 

  • Sault Ste Marie: 1520 Queen St. E., Rm EW205
  • Toronto: 230 Richmond St. W., 3rd Fl., Rm 322

Speakers include: 

Andre Morriseau, Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business (CCAB)

Dr. Gayle Broad, NORDIK Institute, Algoma University

This gathering, which is the precursor to a larger conference in Summer 2017, will be led by OCAD University and Algoma University in a unique partnership between Northern and Southern Ontario institutions, bringing together in depth knowledge of entrepreneurship and social innovation from the North and Design Thinking processes from the South.

Expert "Lightning Talks" will set the context, describing entrepreneurship and social innovation in Northern Ontario and proposing why is it important as an engine economic development as well as for social change. The interactive sessions facilitate connections and conversations, bringing clarity to the topic, surfacing existing initiatives, nurturing potential partnerships and strengthening collective commitment to entrepreneurship and social innovation in Northern Ontario.

The results of this conference will shape a larger conference called INTERSECTION in North Ontario: Entrepreneurship and Social innovation. This will be a larger, two-day event in the city of Sault Ste. Marie, which will build on the August conference and develop further conversations and connections across Northern Ontario.

The event is free of charge (after you register and attend, we will refund your $30.)

If you know of a social entrepreneur who wants to attend this even, and who has a financial barrier (i.e. does not have a credit card), please ask them to contact the organizer, Peter Scott, directly at ps12sn@student.ocadu.ca

Venue & Address: 
OCAD University 230 Richmond St. W. 3rd Floor Conference Room 322
Website: 
http://northjam.eventbrite.ca