Stories
Stories, interviews, insights and reflections from ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV Public Square and our community and university partners. For summaries of past events, explore our topics section.
Latest stories
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Why student engagement matters
By Seth Erais
I often say that one of my favourite things about working at ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV Public Square is the opportunity to both learn from and learn with our incredible partners. The relationships we develop – with students, staff, faculty, alumni, not-for-profits, NGO’s, engaged citizens and beyond – are always grounded in a hope to bring people together to share information, have spirited conversations and discussions, and possibly affect change.
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Meet the ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV Public Square Team: Evan Chan
Gabrielle Parent, Communications Manager, ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV Public Square
Meet Evan Chan – a work-study student joining our team! Evan is a 4th year Communications and Business student at ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV, with a passion for community building and design. He joins ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV Public Square as a Program Assistant, supporting our events, communications, and design.
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Oct 28, 2024
Why student engagement matters
By Seth Erais
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Oct 7, 2024
Meet the ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV Public Square Team: Evan Chan
Gabrielle Parent, Communications Manager, ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV Public Square
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Sep 9, 2024
Meet the ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV Public Square Team: Termeh Moini
Gabrielle Parent, Communications Manager, ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV Public Square
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Sep 5, 2024
This too, belongs
By Janet Webber
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Jul 25, 2024
What is ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV Public Square reading this summer?
By the ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV Public Square team
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Jun 27, 2024
Reimagining Canada Day
By Sofia Sokic
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Jun 20, 2024
What does Pride mean to you?
By the ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV Public Square team
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Apr 4, 2024
How Did We Get Here?
By Athena Samonte
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Mar 28, 2024
Life in B.C. as an International Intern
By Ina Pace
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Mar 27, 2024
Thank you and Goodbye to Silvana
By Gabrielle Parent
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Feb 8, 2024
Ready for 2024 with ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV Ready Fairs!
By Silvana Martinez and Athena Samonte
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Feb 7, 2024
Sustainable Housing: Achieving a Future for Everyone
Victoria Barclay, MA, UBC Department of Sociology
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Dec 11, 2023
Redistributing Power: Drug Use and Safe Supply
Ina Pace, Research and Communications Assistant, ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV Public Square
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Oct 3, 2023
Meet the ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV Public Square Team: Sofia Sokic
Gabrielle Parent, Communications Lead, ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV Public Square
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Sep 18, 2023
Meet the ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV Public Square Team: Ina Pace
Gabrielle Parent, Communications Lead, ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV Public Square
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May 24, 2023
Meet the ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV Public Square Team: Gabriel Alegbeleye
Gabrielle Parent, Communications Lead, ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV Public Square
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May 8, 2023
Meet the ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV Public Square Team: Silvana Martinez
Gabrielle Parent, Communications Lead, ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV Public Square
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Apr 24, 2023
Squaring Off with Tesicca Truong
Gabrielle Parent, Communications Lead, ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV Public Square
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Mar 27, 2023
Squaring Off with Patricia Massy
Doug Hamilton-Evans, Former Communications Manager, ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV Public Square
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Mar 13, 2023
Meet the ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV Public Square Team: Nola Mellon
Gabrielle Parent, Communications Lead, ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV Public Square
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Mar 3, 2023
Squaring Off with Am Johal
Doug Hamilton-Evans, Former Communications Manager, ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV Public Square
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Feb 22, 2023
Meet the ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV Public Square Team: Gabrielle Parent
Yeow Beng Ng, Communications Assistant, ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV Public Square
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Feb 6, 2023
Meet the ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV Public Square Team: Yeow Beng Ng
Gabrielle Parent, Communications Lead, ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV Public Square
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Dec 14, 2022
Job Opportunity | Communications Lead
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Dec 8, 2022
Squaring Off with Marissa Lawrence
Doug Hamilton-Evans, Communications Manager
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Nov 29, 2022
VIDEO: September 2022 In Review
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Oct 20, 2022
Job Opportunity | Design Coordinator
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Oct 13, 2022
Squaring Off with Kady Wong
Doug Hamilton-Evans, Communications Manager
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Jul 28, 2022
A decade of community engagement
Janet Webber, Executive Director
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Jun 16, 2022
Canada Summer Jobs | Special Events Coordinator
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May 31, 2022
Thank you and farewell to Chloe and Kim
Doug Hamilton-Evans, Communications Manager
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Apr 29, 2022
Pressing Pause for Mental Wellness: Reflections from Peer Educators
Charlene Aviles, Nikita Banga, Punit Garg and Elena Le, 2021/2022 Peer Educators, ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV Public Square
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Feb 10, 2022
Meet the ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV Public Square Team: Des'ree Isibor
Kim Regala, Communications and Events Coordinator, ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV Public Square
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Jan 20, 2022
Meet the ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV Public Square Team: Chris Louie
Sakshi Taneja, Program Coordinator, ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV Public Square
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Jan 18, 2022
Meet ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV Public Square’s 2021-22 Peer Educators!
Meet our latest cohort of Peer Educators! Four ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV students joined our team this fall to create space for crucial dialogue, inspire action and learn more about the student experience.
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Nov 22, 2021
On Equity: An interview with Naisha Khan
Chloe Sjuberg, Communications Coordinator, ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV Public Square
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Nov 16, 2021
On Equity: An interview with Melina Laboucan-Massimo
Chloe Sjuberg, Communications Coordinator, ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV Public Square
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Oct 20, 2021
On Equity: An interview with Ruth Mojeed Ramirez
Chloe Sjuberg, Communications Coordinator, ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV Public Square
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Sep 28, 2021
Recommended Resources from Chief Leanne Joe
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Sep 28, 2021
On Equity: An interview with Sxwpilemaát Siyám (Chief Leanne Joe)
Kim Regala, Communications & Events Coordinator, ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV Public Square
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Sep 15, 2021
On Equity: An interview with Chuka Ejeckam
Chloe Sjuberg, Communications Coordinator, ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV Public Square
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Aug 31, 2021
On Equity: An interview with Alexander Dirksen
Chloe Sjuberg, Communications Coordinator, ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV Public Square
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Aug 10, 2021
On Equity: An interview with Tina Strehlke
Chloe Sjuberg, Communications Coordinator, ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV Public Square
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Jul 19, 2021
On Equity: An interview with Meenakshi Mannoe
Chloe Sjuberg, Communications Coordinator, ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV Public Square
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Jun 17, 2021
"Learn to walk with your head up and smile": A conversation with Elder Margaret George
Kim Regala, Communications & Events Coordinator, ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV Public Square
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Jun 9, 2021
Meet the ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV Public Square Team: Cassandra Graves
Chloe Sjuberg, Communications Coordinator, ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV Public Square
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Jun 8, 2021
Meet the ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV Public Square Team: Dennis Limbo
Kim Regala, Communications & Events Coordinator, ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV Public Square
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May 7, 2021
Pandemonium Series Takeaways
Meg Holden and Aphrodite Bouikidis, ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV Urban Studies
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On Equity: Interview Series
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Mar 24, 2020
A time to keep our distance while strengthening our connections
Andrew Petter, President and Vice-Chancellor, ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV
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Apr 1, 2020
Community-driven research supports seniors with technology
Doug Hamilton-Evans, Research & Communications Coordinator, ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV Public Square
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Apr 1, 2020
Designing Inclusively: Creating accessible digital spaces
Eliza Lim, Office Volunteer, ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV Public Square
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Jun 19, 2020
National Indigenous Peoples Day
Chloe Sjuberg Assistant, Communications Coordinator, ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV Public Square
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Jun 19, 2020
Reflecting on Black history, racism and slavery in Canada
Chloe Sjuberg, Assistant Communications Coordinator, ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV Public Square
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Sep 21, 2020
Meet the ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV Public Square Team: Kim Regala
Chloe Sjuberg, Communications Coordinator, ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV Public Square
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Oct 6, 2020
Meet the ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV Public Square Team: Rachel Dee
Chloe Sjuberg, Communications Coordinator, ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV Public Square
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Oct 13, 2020
Michael Alexander retires as Director of City Conversations
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Oct 26, 2020
A conversation with the 2020 Sterling Prize Committee
Kim Regala, Communications & Marketing Assistant, ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV Public Square
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Nov 6, 2020
Meet the ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV Public Square Team: Hân Phạm
Chloe Sjuberg, Communications Coordinator, ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV Public Square
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Nov 24, 2020
Meet the Peer Ambassadors!
Kim Regala, Communications & Marketing Assistant, ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV Public Square
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May 15, 2019
Confronting the Disinformation Age
Asmita Lawrence, ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV Community Ambassador
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Apr 18, 2019
Sentiment Manipulation Through False Information
Jessie Strongitharm, Student, ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV CMNS 253
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Apr 13, 2019
Big Data... Bad Data? How Can We Stop the Latter From Occurring
Karugi Gathumbi, Student, ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV CMNS 353
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Apr 12, 2019
In-faux-mation: John Gray
John F. Gray, CEO/co-founder Mentionmapp Analytics Inc.
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Apr 4, 2019
Who Needs Vaccinations When You Have Healing Crystals?
Jasmine Kaur, Student, ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV CMNS 353
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Feb 13, 2019
Introducing the ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV Public Square Peer Ambassador Program!
Kady Wong, Program Coordinator, ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV Public Square
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Jan 7, 2019
The Post-Truth Era — Should We Be Worried?
Luis Fischer, International Program Intern, ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV Public Square
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Nov 20, 2018
Vancouverites—We Don’t Have to Be Amsterdam to Be a Cycling City.
Renee McMillen
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Oct 24, 2018
Truth and Democracy
Fergus Linley-Mota
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Oct 18, 2018
How Can Youth Be Engaged in Civic Happenings?
Serena Yang
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Sep 17, 2018
The Road to Leadership
Kady Wong
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Aug 8, 2018
The Well-Tempered Volunteer (with apologies to Johann Sebastian Bach*)
Karen Dar Woon
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Jul 24, 2018
The Role of Public Space in Civic Life
Landon Hoyt
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Jun 25, 2018
accessCITY: Creating safe pathways and social connections for all!
Laura Lam, Alex Yallouz, Naina Varshney and Shazeen Tejani
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May 31, 2018
The Devil Plays With Five-Year Plans
Janet Webber
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May 23, 2018
Who Do We Think We Are?
Jillian Stirk
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Apr 12, 2018
Exploring the Future of Work After Graduation
Sarah Duggan
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Apr 3, 2018
My International Experience at ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV Public Square
Emily Blixt
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Feb 20, 2018
My Job Now: Alexander Dirksen
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Jan 31, 2018
What About Me? Older Adults in the Workforce
Karen Dar Woon
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Jan 15, 2018
My Job Now: Charles Gauthier
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Jan 8, 2018
My Job Now: Mohammed Alsaleh
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Canada's World Survey 2018 Report and Findings
¶¡ÏãÔ°AV Public Square
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Dec 12, 2017
My Job Now: Matt Kump
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Dec 5, 2017
Waste in Vancouver
Asim Waqif
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Nov 23, 2017
The Rise of Solar Power
Henry Tran
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Oct 24, 2017
My Job Now: Kevin Quinlan
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Oct 2, 2017
My Job Now: Lizzy Karp
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Sep 19, 2017
Why Eat Local?
Iulia Sincraian
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Sep 12, 2017
My Job Now: Nathan Nunn
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Jul 2, 2017
Becoming Canadian
Kady Wong
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Jun 30, 2017
What Makes Canada so Unique
Alyn Engelhardt
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Jun 21, 2017
DiverCity Games
Joey Zhang
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May 31, 2017
Student or Citizen
Isabel Cullather
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May 15, 2017
My Experience with 6 Degrees YVR: Are you Home?
Alyn Engelhardt
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Mar 27, 2017
Interview: The Environment Needs Canada
Sandra Hipsz
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Mar 8, 2017
Happy International Women's Day!
Parvin Doroudian
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Feb 28, 2017
What is Cultural Diplomacy and Why Does it Matter?
Kevin Cherney
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Feb 23, 2017
From 2011 to 2036 - Canada: A Look at Ethnocultural Diversity and Immigration
Aishwarya Singh
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Feb 22, 2017
From ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV to the World
Alexis Chan
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Feb 15, 2017
Intolerance for Islamophobia: Love Over Hate, a Rally Against Bigotry
Annita Bhuiyan
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Feb 15, 2017
Who Needs Canada? Immigrants Need Canada: My Personal Immigration Story
Tynan van Wyk
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Jan 31, 2017
¶¡ÏãÔ°AV Public Square 2017 Community Summit asks, Who Needs Canada?
Ian Bryce
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Oct 28, 2016
ReThink Food Follow-up: Spartan Gardens
Marie Louka, Program Intern, ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV Public Square
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Nov 13, 2015
Downtown Vancouver Re-Imagined
Downtown Vancouver BIA (DVBIA)
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Oct 29, 2015
Vancity Guest Post: 2015 Community Summit
William Azaroff, Vice President, Community Investment, Vancity
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Oct 29, 2015
We the City Poem
Andrew Petter, President and Vice-Chancellor of ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV
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Oct 20, 2015
Event Recap: Politics & Planning – Vancouver's Next Planning Director
Christine Ackerley
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Sep 22, 2015
The Future of St. Paul’s Hospital
Katelyn McDougall
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Sep 1, 2015
Re-imagining Our Downtown Together
Sarah Beley
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Aug 12, 2015
Is it time to remove Vancouver's viaducts?
Harleen Khangura
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Aug 4, 2015
How public engagement can help find the right questions
Mark Beaty
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Jul 20, 2015
How the living wage policy could impact post-secondary students in BC
Harleen Khangura
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Jun 25, 2015
New Hires: Introducing Tesicca and Mark
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Apr 16, 2015
Community Engagement Begins with You!
Cherie Wee
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Mar 30, 2015
Vancouver Commits to Shift to 100% Renewable Energy
Yuri Artibise
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Mar 18, 2015
Reflections on the 2015 ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV Surrey Open House
Yuri Artibise
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Oct 22, 2014
Strategic volunteering: Lessons from a mature student
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Jun 10, 2014
Inspiring the youth vote with Elections Canada
Katelyn McDougall
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Jan 10, 2014
"Viable diplomacy" in Taiwan
Mark Friesen
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Oct 21, 2013
An Eye to the Future: A Look at BC Jobs Plan
Linda Watt, Writer, Film and Television, Environmental Sector; Volunteer, ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV Public Square
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Oct 9, 2013
Participants at Our Future, Our Voice are eager for change
Jackie Pichette, Research and Communications Officer, ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV Public Square
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Sep 27, 2013
Youth Employment Stressors
Dan Ward, Research Assistant, ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV Public Square; Political Science degree, Concordia University
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Sep 19, 2013
Our Future, Our Voice: A message to my fellow youth
Jackie Pichette, Research and Communications Officer, ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV Public Square
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Aug 29, 2013
100 Community Conversations Provincial Tour
Marissa Lawrence and Mark Friesen, Provincial Outreach Coordinator and Outreach Coordinator, ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV Public Square
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Jul 25, 2013
We Are BC
Sarah Van Borek, Director, We Are BC
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Jun 27, 2013
How far should public decision-making go?
Mark Friesen
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Jun 1, 2013
What Dialogue in a Public Square Looks Like
Mark Friesen
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Innovator Profile: Julien F. Thomas
Kate Affleck, Volunteer Outreach Coordinator, ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV Public Square
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Innovator Profile: Sharon Manson Singer
Jackie Pichette, Research and Communications Officer, ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV Public Square
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Innovator Profile: Tara Mahoney
Jackie Pichette, Research and Communications Officer, ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV Public Square
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Innovator Profile: David Sadler
Mark Friesen, Community Outreach Coordinator, ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV Public Square
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Innovator Profile: Andrea Creamer
Jackie Pichette, Research and Communications Officer, ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV Public Square
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Innovator Profile: Sarah Van Borek
Connor Curson, Community Outreach and Research Assistant, ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV Public Square
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Innovator Profile: Mike Yeung
Dan Ward, Research Assistant, ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV Public Square
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Innovator Profile: Stephanie Wiriahardja
Michaela Klassen, Volunteer, ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV Public Square
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Innovator Profile: Michael Alexander
Jackie Pichette, Research and Communications Officer, ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV Public Square
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Oct 21, 2013
Why Do We Stay Unconnected?
Novia Shih-Shan Chen, PhD Candidate, Department of Gender, Sexuality and Women's Studies, ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV; Assistant Festival Director, ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV Public Square Alone Together Film Festival
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Dec 19, 2012
Regional Transportation is Vital to Provincial Economic Growth - Are we Moving Forward or Backwards?
Claire Havens
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Nov 30, 2012
Seeking and sharing the intercultural histories of Vancouver; view to the past, guide for the future
Naveen Girn
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Nov 21, 2012
Rethinking Justice New Perspectives on Old Challenges
Brenda Morrison, Ph.D
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Nov 14, 2012
The role of business in creating resilient cities: Why community relationships are worth it
James Yang
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Oct 11, 2012
Facebook: The social capital network?
Jackie Pichette
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Sep 18, 2012
Connecting a City with One Voice
Sarah Van Borek
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Aug 25, 2012
The search for the modern “third place".
Bob Ransford