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Holding Space for Community

SFU Public Square holds space for SFU and its communities to learn together and work towards equitable and sustainable solutions to our world's complex challenges.

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Upcoming Events

  • Centering Indigenous Joy: A Celebration of Literature, Arts, and Creativity

    2023, Equity + Justice, Indigenous Voices, Arts + Culture

    In recognition of National Indigenous Peoples Day, we are thrilled to host a celebration of Indigenous literature, art, and creativity.

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  • Empowering Communities to Endure Climate Disasters

    2023, Climate + Environment, Cities, Community Building

    With the mounting climate crisis, British Columbians can expect more floods, fires and other disasters in their future. This online event brings together experts to discuss how resilience can begin with empowered communities and the ways to mitigate risks. Hear from people personally impacted by climate disasters and consider how we can come together to heal and rebuild after devastation.

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  • Surrey Policing: Discussing the Way Forward

    2023, Cities

    Who should provide policing is now one of Surrey’s defining political questions. Will the transition to a municipal police force continue or will Surrey begin relying again on the services of Canada’s RCMP? Sound bites from politicians on this question have made it more difficult for voters to assess the complex options available to their community. To discuss these questions, Simon Fraser University’s Department of Political Science and SFU Surrey have assembled a forum of experts from SFU and the Surrey community. Experts and advocates with a range of perspectives, alongside the event’s audience, will discuss the future of municipal policing in Surrey and the politics that surround it.

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Featured

  • Meet the SFU Public Square Team: Silvana Martinez

    2023

    Gabrielle Parent Communications Lead, SFU Public Square

    Meet Silvana Martinez – the new Events Lead at SFU Public Square! Silvana joins SFU Public Square following a year in the non-profit sector. Originally from Colombia and holding a BA in Human Geography from UBC, Silvana enjoys learning from different perspectives and contributing to the creation safe spaces for dialogue and knowledge sharing. She is excited to work and learn alongside the university and the local community to deliver engaging and inclusive programming with SFU Public Square. In her spare time, Silvana enjoys dancing, singing, and walking around the city with a good playlist on her headphones.

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Explore Topics

Cities

Urban planning and design. Housing and transportation. Parks and neighbourhoods. Politics and business. Arts and culture. The city as a living system.

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Economy

All about how we understand wealth and value, how we produce and distribute our resources, and the impacts of those decisions.

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Health

From addressing the COVID-19 pandemic and overdose crisis to examining healthcare systems, mental health and health misinformation.

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Climate + Environment

Addressing how to respond to climate change politically, economically, socially and culturally with a lens of equity and justice.

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Media + Information

Exploring the power of ideas. Engaging with the technologies, politics and economics of media and the people and practices of journalism.

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Indigenous Voices

Conversations led by Indigenous people about Indigenous histories, languages, arts, cultures, rights and resilience, reconciliation and decolonization.

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Equity + Justice

Look here for events and resources around issues of decolonization, reconciliation, anti-racism and dismantling systems of oppression.

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Arts + Culture

Supporting the arts with book launches, poetry readings, artist talks and conversations about the artistic process and arts funding.

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Democracy

We don’t take democracy for granted. Explore discussions ranging from party politics to voting systems to how people organize their political power.

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Future of Work

AI and automation. The pandemic. The gig economy and the precariat. Unions and labour power. Navigate the future of work with us.

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Community Building

How to weave connections, overcome isolation and build up our social infrastructure. Explore conversations on community organizing, social innovation and grassroots activism.

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