Overview
We worked with the Social Innovation Generation department (SiG) at the University of Waterloo, the Musagetes Foundation, the RARE charitable reserve, and Render at the Unviersity of Waterloo to construct three scenarios about the future of the region. These scenarios were designed stimulate conversation among leaders across the region and to promote collective action to prevent unintended consequences of the region’s growth.
Two unique aspects of this project were its inclusion of artists and an overall drive to initiate projects and actions parallel to the creation of scenario narratives. The three scenarios relate to economic crisis, multiculturalism, and natural systems including food production. Action teams produced rich visions for projects, some of which are still ongoing. The artists at Render (since renamed DodoLab) produced provocative installations for participants and have been involved in carrying forward projects from the scenario exercise.
Jeff Barnum and Adam Kahane continue to support SiG’s work and are associates of SiG at the University of Waterloo.