HUMAN-TO-HUMAN CONNECTION IS BEING LOST: “Foundational knowledge, based on inter-generational networking, is being lost at an ever-increasing rate,” write Derek Richmond and Kim Stephens in an article published in Environmental Science & Engineering Magazine (April 2026)
Note to Reader:
The April 2026 edition of Environmental Science & Engineering Magazine featured an article co-authored by Derek Richmond and Kim Stephens of the Partnership for Water Sustainability. They share the story behind of the story of the 2026 Ambassadors of the Partnership Forum. They believe it will be remembered as the launchpad for the future of the Partnership. Round table discussions clearly demonstrated a desire for collaboration in finding solutions to today’s challenges. The forum was an inter-regional gathering with folks from Vancouver Island, Metro Vancouver, Fraser Valley, Okanagan and East Kootenays.
How the Partnership for Water Sustainability in B.C. is emphasizing the importance of face-to-face networking
“In this issue, authors Derek Richmond and Kim Stephens begin by saying that ‘networks are a way to get greater leverage on your scarce resources and move forward together with other likeminded, values-aligned colleagues.’ However, they fear that human to-human connection is being lost,” writes Steve Davey in his editorial comment.
“They point out that with the COVID-19 pandemic and the pivot to remote working and now artificial intelligence, this tradition is in decline. Recently, the Partnership hosted the Convening for Action Forum, as part of a strategy to help reverse this situation. Reading about this event brought back my early memories of face-to-face networking.”
The Forum Event: A Safe Space for Conversations
“The Partnership is a movement built around a Design With Nature vision for achieving water sustainability through green infrastructure. We have steadily worked towards continuity and succession,” explains Kim Stephens, Partnership Director.
“Five years ago, we created the Ambassadors Program to foster inter-generational collaboration. This laid the foundation for dialogue about how to sustain the network. The forum team comprised Rémi Dubé (team leader and moderator), Michael Blackstock (inspirational keynote speaker), and Dr. Jane Wei-Skillern (facilitator) delivered the Forum program.”
When we are part of a network, everyone goes further
“Ensuring that the decisions we make are sound, inclusive, and knowledge-based means looking beyond our often-self-imposed boundaries. Our first initiative should be to look for history, what has or has not worked and why, and to search out others with similar experience,” says Derek Richmond.
“Oral history sharing, a proven powerful indigenous tool, is a much-overlooked asset that can often lead to efficiency, cost-savings, and richer outcomes. Network leadership principles align with Indigenous wisdom and expertise.”
“The Partnership modus operandi for passing on knowledge in the local government setting is precedent-setting. We operate within a constellation of networks. The storyline for our article is about the power of collaboration when it is grounded in a network-based approach.”
To Learn More:
To read the complete article as published in Environmental Science & Engineering Magazine, click on this link to download a copy of When we are part of a network, everyone goes further.
