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Recap: COVID-19 and the Future of Democracy

September 24, 2020

Democracy exists beyond the structures of government and voting. At a basic level, democracy is about bringing people together to shape the decisions that affect us all. Right now, individuals and groups are re-imagining our policies, our culture and how power works in our systems as well as our day-to-day lives. And we are seeing the longstanding efforts of community organizers and activists break through to the mainstream. The people are listening and making themselves heard. This is civic engagement in action.

In this installment of Distant, Not Disengaged, we explore what the pandemic is teaching us about how people are organizing, stepping up and creating lasting change. What is the recipe that turns advocacy efforts into wide-spread social movements? How will this shape the future of our democracy?

Watch event recording

Links & Resources

Full Event Recap

On September 24th, we hosted COVID-19 and the Future of Democracy as part of the Distant, Not Disengaged event series. Watch the conversation to learn more about how people are organizing, stepping up and creating last change in their communities. 

Graphic Recording

In addition to our special event partners, the Centre was pleased to welcome graphic recorder Adriana Contreras from Drawing Change to capture our event with a graphic recording. She offers a breakdown of her graphic in the video above.

Clare Beckton

Speaker, Clare Beckton, responds to moderator Sabreena Delhon's opening question, "we know we are all navigating this global pandemic in different ways, what are some key insights on how you've mobilized during this time?"

Walied Khogali

Speaker, Walied Khogali, responds to moderator Sabreena Delhon's opening question, "we know we are all navigating this global pandemic in different ways, what are some key insights on how you've mobilized during this time?"

Lilah Williamson

Speaker, Lilah Williamson, responds to moderator Sabreena Delhon's opening question, "we know we are all navigating this global pandemic in different ways, what are some key insights on how you've mobilized during this time?"

Sandeep Johal

Speaker, Sandeep Johal, responds to moderator Sabreena Delhon's opening question, "we know we are all navigating this global pandemic in different ways, what are some key insights on how you've mobilized during this time?"

Sabreena Delhon (Moderator)

Sabreena Delhon is the inaugural Open Democracy Fellow, a role co-created by Open Democracy Project and Simon Fraser University’s Morris J. Wosk Centre for Dialogue in partnership with Massey College. She is also the founder of Signal Strategies, an engagement firm committed to social change and innovation.

Walied Khogali

Walied Khogali has served as the President of the Toronto Environmental Alliance. He is a founding member of the transit advocacy organization TTC Riders and the co-founder of the Coalition Against White Supremacy and Islamophobia (CAWSI). He has also been a key part of the Canadian Arab Federation and One Toronto. His recent work supports at-risk youth and families across the Greater Toronto Area through the RamadanMealsTO project.

Clare Beckton

Clare Beckton is a former senior executive, entrepreneur, author, sought-after speaker, mentor and coach, and an advocate for advancing women's leadership and for diversity and inclusion.

Lilah Williamson

Lilah Williamson is a 16-year-old high school student, climate activist and organizer with Sustainabiliteens and Climate Strike Canada.

Sandeep Johal

Sandeep Johal’s art practice is an expression of her social and cultural concerns, particularly gender justice. Sandeep is the 2019 recipient of Darpan Magazine’s Artistic Visionary Award, and she has worked with the Vancouver Art Gallery, Burrard Arts Foundation and Vancouver Mural Festival.