The Canadian Water Innovation Lab 2010 - Call for Participants and Facilitators

An Unconference for Uncommon Leaders.

In October 2010, 250 young Canadians will attend a once-in-a-lifetime learning event that will turn their good intentions into concrete actions to protect our most precious natural resource: water.

It’s called the Canadian Water Innovation Lab 2010, a natural extension of the Waterlution mission. We have already hosted more than 30 workshops in nine provinces for over 650 youth and 100 scientists, business, Aboriginal, and community leaders, and policy makers — exceptional people looking for creative solutions to our complex water resource management problems.

Both facilitators and participants are being sought for this exciting event.

Applications are now open! Click here to apply

With the Lab, we’re ready to take it to another level.

The Canadian Water Innovation Lab 2010 will give you, tomorrow’s leader, the insights, tools, and connections to make a difference in protecting and preserving water resources.

Right now.

We are staging this national event to address the most compelling issues in water resource management:

• New and long-term pressures threaten our water resources.
• Current policy and management approaches are outdated and in need of revisions.
• There is a need for a safe space — spanning generations, sectors, and cultures — in which solutions can be developed collaboratively.
• Young Canadians are seeking new and effective ways to participate in decision-making processes and develop their potential.

The Canadian Water Innovation Lab 2010 takes place October 18 to 24, 2010, in Alberta.

The Lab is actually two linked events:

>> Oct. 18-20 is a Pre-Lab at The Banff Centre for 50 selected facilitators. They will be trained to guide deep and effective discussions on systems change, and then have the opportunity to apply their skills immediately as group facilitators at the Lab headlining event that week.

>> Oct. 21- 24 is the main “unconference” event at YMCA Camp Chief Hector in Exshaw, Alberta. The 250 participants, from all backgrounds and corners of Canada, will participate in experiential learning activities, field tours, interactive dialogue sessions, and meet with guest mentors: water resource practitioners, policy makers, activists, educators, and Aboriginal and community leaders. Widely applicable skills and invaluable networks will be developed.

I’m interested. Now what?

1. If you’d like to apply to be a facilitator, do you fit the profile?

• Are you a seasoned water professional with at least five years of experience (likely with a Master’s degree in a water-related field and/or formal training)?
• Alternatively, are you an experienced and proven facilitator who has used techniques such as Open Space, World Café, Scenario Planning, U-process, art/music/theatre facilitation,  or outdoor leadership activities?
• OR are you experienced in traditional Aboriginal knowledge? Are you a healer, spiritualist, harvester or elder? We encourage all First Nations, Inuit and Métis to apply.

*Please note: If you do not fulfill these requirements, yet believe that you are a strong candidate nonetheless, please don’t hesitate to go ahead and apply or contact cwilwaterlution [dot] org to assess eligibility.

2. If you’d like to apply to be a participant at the main Lab event, do you fit the profile?

• Are you aged 18 to 35 years?
• Do you have a strong chance of implementing programs in your community or bringing about water-related projects or policies in your field of work?

3. Do you have the time and resources to attend this event?

• Can you free up the four to six days to attend the Lab? The 50 facilitators will be required to commit from the evening of Oct. 18 to Oct. 24^.
• Can you support your travel costs to Alberta? All at-event participant costs (such as accommodation, meals, and field tours) will be covered. See our FAQs for more information on travel costs.

4. Are you interested in the Lab’s topic areas?