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- 2019/20: Climate Change and Human Rights with Sheila Watt-Cloutier
- 2017/18: Peace, Pluralism and Gender Equality with Alice Wairimu Nderitu
- 2015/16: Climate Solutions with Tim Flannery
- 2013/14: Reconciliation with Chief Robert Joseph
- 2011/12: Twelve Days of Compassion with Karen Armstrong
- 2009/10: Widening the Circle with Liz Lerman
- 2005: Corporate Social Responsibility and the Right to Health with Mary Robinson
- 2002: Environmental Sustainability with Maurice Strong
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- 2024: AI: Beyond the Hype—Shaping the Future Together with Stephanie Dick and Daniel Barcay
- 2022: Facing the Flames: New and Old Ways of Co-Existing with Fire with Joe Gilchrist and Paul Hessburg
- 2021: All My Relations: Trauma-Informed Engagement with Karine Duhamel
- 2019: Power of Empathy with Kimberly Jackson Davidson
- 2019: Rethinking BC Referendums with John Gastil
- 2017: Strengthening Democratic Engagement with Valerie Lemmie
- 2015-16: THRIVE! Surrey in 2030
- 2014: Citizen Engagement and Political Civility with Dr. Carolyn J. Lukensmeyer
- 2013: Building a Culture of Participation with Dave Meslin
- 2012: Riots and Restorative Justice with Dr. Theo Gavrielides
- 2011: Growing Out of Hunger with Will Allen
- 2010: The Age of Unequals with Richard Wilkinson
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Leanne Sawatzky is Director of Renewable Cities, a special initiative of Simon Fraser University’s Centre for Dialogue. With 20 years of experience advancing sustainable, livable, and climate-resilient communities, she leads by building partnerships and taking a systems approach.
At Renewable Cities, Leanne leads the team in working with diverse groups to address complex urban challenges such as climate, housing, and transportation. She uses dialogue and applied research to convene governments, industry, and community organizations, helping them understand how issues are connected and develop practical tools and guidance for implementation.
Leanne’s background is in conflict-sensitive community development. She holds a Master of Arts in Conflict Transformation and a BSc in Global Resource Systems. Before joining the Centre for Dialogue, she was Director of International Programs at HOPE International Development Agency, where she worked with community partners in more than 20 countries on initiatives related to clean water and sanitation, microfinance, health, and agriculture.