Special guests from New York City showcase winning strategies for democratic renewal
VANCOUVER—The Broadbent Institute today expands west with a B.C. launch as part of its commitment to build a progressive agenda right across the country.
"As a national organization committed to furthering progressive values throughout Canada, I’m delighted about our expansion in British Columbia. There is much to gain from working together to promote democracy, equality and sustainability here in Vancouver, across the province and the country," said Broadbent Institute Executive Director Rick Smith.
The launch event, Progress BC: building power, advancing democracy, on Monday at 7:30 pm PST at Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Chinese Gardens, will include remarks from Smith, as well as special guest Ana Maria Archila, co-Executive Director of the Center for Popular Democracy and a leading organizer in New York City.
Archila has built grassroots power in immigrant communities, leading Make the Road NY, the largest membership-based immigrant organization in New York City.
A special luncheon, Democracy beyond the ballot box: learning from NYC’s Talking Transition tent, on Tuesday at 12:00 PST at the Creekside Community Centre will feature Andrea Batista Schlesinger, deputy director of U.S. Programs at the Open Society Foundations.
Schlesinger, who served as a special advisor to Michael Bloomberg when he was Mayor of New York, will share her lessons from New York City’s Talking Transition program, a pioneering model for civic engagement during a pivotal moment in democratic government -- the transition to a new administration under Mayor Bill de Blasio.
The Institute’s inaugural events are being held just as municipalities across British Columbia gear up to hold civic elections in the fall. The municipal elections will be followed next year with a federal election.
"The Broadbent Institute strives to bring progressive voices from around the world to generate ideas, learn new models and inspire political engagement. We’re pleased to have a key organizer and a civic engagement leader from New York City join us for our inaugural events in B.C.," added Smith.
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For more information, please contact:
Mira Oreck, Director of Strategic Partnerships, Broadbent Institute
cell: 778-999-3420 or [email protected]
