2025 Building Inclusive Communities: Impacts of Collective Action

4th Annual Building Inclusive Communities Forum: A Common Vision

Welcome to the 4th Annual Building Inclusive Communities event, proudly hosted by the Action for Healthy Communities Society of Alberta. This annual gathering brings together grassroots community organizations, government representatives, and sector leaders to reflect on, celebrate, and advance the shared goal of building inclusive, resilient communities across the greater Edmonton area. 

Anchored in the theme Building Inclusive Communities: A Common Vision and guided by the sub-theme Impact of Collective Actions, this year’s event is a space for collective reflection and exchange. It recognizes that meaningful and lasting community change stems from shared insight, mutual learning, and collaborative action. Grassroots groups and organizations are invited to showcase their transformative work, share lived experiences, and engage in rich dialogue around inclusive practices and community resilience. 

Over time, this event has grown into a vibrant community forum where leaders exchange promising practices, cultivate inter-community relationships, and co-create solutions to common challenges. It also provides an opportunity for stakeholders across sectors and levels of government to reaffirm their support for grassroots leadership and contribute to a shared vision of equity and inclusion.  

Participation is by invitation only. 

Purpose

Our primary goal is to highlight the exceptional efforts of grassroots organizations in Edmonton dedicated to building inclusive communities. We aim to create a vibrant environment where community members and leaders can network, form valuable connections, and engage in mutual learning.

Event Objective

Our primary goal is to highlight the exceptional efforts of grassroots organizations in Edmonton dedicated to building inclusive communities. We aim to create a vibrant environment where community members and leaders can network, form valuable connections, and engage in mutual learning.

Grounded in a commitment to capacity-building, inclusive leadership, and collective impact, the event aims to:

• Strengthen Community Connections
  Foster dialogue and relationship-building to promote collaboration, mutual support, and solidarity among diverse communities.
• Promote Learning and Innovation
  Provide an inclusive platform for grassroots leaders, all three levels of government, and the nonprofit sector to exchange knowledge, share promising practices, and spark innovative ideas that contribute to building inclusive and thriving communities.
• Shape a Common Vision
  Facilitate collective reflection on community-based experiences to cultivate a shared understanding and unified direction for advancing inclusive and resilient communities.

Participants: The event will be attended by 150 participants including approximately 30 grassroots group, representatives from the community development sector, and all three levels of government.

Highlight of the Day: Keynote Speech

Community Presentations

• Grassroots Reflections on Impact of Collective Actions
  Drawing from lived experiences, they will share insights into challenges faced, lessons learned, and strategies that led to change. Each presentation will reflect how collective actions shape and created impacts. The thematic areas include:
• Cultural Connections: Unity Through Heritage and Tradition 
  This theme highlights how celebrating heritage, language, and traditions fosters empathy, cross-cultural understanding, and a strong sense of community. 
• Empowering Voices for Social Change 
  Presenters will share how their initiatives challenge marginalization, reduce isolation, and promote inclusion—especially for newcomers—through advocacy and collaboration. 

• Thriving Together Through Collaboration 
  This cluster showcases how communities build trust and co-create solutions through meaningful partnerships and collective action. 

• Youth in Action: Leading Change, Building Resilience
  Youth-led efforts, including through the ELYCA Project, demonstrate how young leaders are addressing systemic challenges and driving positive change in their communities.  

Community Networking: Connect with other community leaders and learn about various community initiatives.

Parking: Free parking is available at the venue. 

Refreshments: Coffee and tea will be provided throughout the event, along with a light lunch. 

Thank you for your dedication to our shared vision of an inclusive community, and we look forward to welcoming you at the Santa Maria Goretti Center 11050 90 St NW, Edmonton, AB T5H 1S5