Convening for Action in British Columbia

“The partnership format provides a mechanism for diverse interests to come together, learn from each other, and develop complementary approaches to land use related challenges,” stated Bryn White. This was the first in a series of conversations between CITinfoResource and land use/conservation focussed non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

“A regional environmental planning table brings together planners and resource people to learn, identify priority issues and needs for support, and a forum from which to advance sustainable land use planning.” stated Bryn White. “A shared environmental planning contractor works within the communities to assist them in achieving their environmental planning objectives. In addition, there are other resource people and mentors that work to support that environmental planner.”

“The District of Summerland OCP example illustrates how a community can benefit from successful implementation of a ‘regional team approach’. The Real Estate Foundation is pleased to be a partner in this process,” observes,” stated Karin Kilpatrick. “The Summerland example demonstrates that the land ethic in the South Okanagan is changing for the better.”

“The bylaw recognizes that settlement change and ecology are equal values and they must be as much in balance as possible for the wellbeing of human and natural systems.” states Tom Szalay.

“The South Okanagan Regional Growth Strategy provided the first opportunity to test the ‘convening for action’ approach. That experience has been adapted in Metro Vancouver and on Vancouver Island. The cross-fertilization process has now come full circle,” stated Tim Pringle.

“In 2005, the Action Plan partners launched a ‘made in BC’ process known as Convening for Action. When we gather, it is for a purpose. There must be an action item or an outcome,” stated Kim Stephens. “The partners envisioned a series of pilot programs and case studies, with outcomes synthesized as chapters in Water-Centric Planning: A Guidebook for British Columbia.”

“The REFBC has had a longstanding interest and involvement in water sustainability. We have provided core funding for the Water Sustainability Action Plan since 2005. In addition to our funding role, we have played an active part in programs implemented under the Action Plan umbrella, notably Convening for Action on Vancouver Island. So, a logical next step for the Foundation was to establish a Water Sustainability Endowment Fund in support of non-profit initiatives related to water stewardship. The income generated from this fund will support non-profit activities in water sustainability in the province of BC. This endowment will support projects which demonstrate the values of the REFBC’s Land Award,”stated Karin Kirkpatrick.

Recognized as one of the world’s foremost experts on the intricate links between nature, technology and society, Dr. Thomas Homer-Dixon challenged delegates to consider how they, and the organizations they work for, may better adapt and prosper in a world of ever-greater complexity and rapid change.

“The lecture was an opportunity to provide students with a window into the local goverment setting; and elaborate on what it takes to build consensus and create lasting change on the ground. I wanted to impart is what it takes to get buy-in from local government and the community for an outcome-oriented vision,” stated Kim Stephens.

“One reaches a point in one’s career and one’s life when talk is not enough… it is the action, the outcome (that is important). Convening for action is our branding. Convening for action as a provincial initiative has evolved over the last five years. We started in the South Okanagan. By 2006, we were ready to go a bigger scale. We said let’s take on a whole region. That became Convening for Action on Vancouver Island. We applied the lessons that we learned in the South Okanagan. We asked the question: what do we want this place to look like in 50 years?”, stated Kim Stephens.