A public forum to discover and celebrate our strengths and build upon them to realize our best future

The afternoon will include TED-style talks, group discussions and conversation in a creative and contemplative environment.

Please arrive early to check-in so the program can start promptly at 12:30 pm. Participants are invited to bring a cash or food donation for Feed Nova Scotia.

Confirmed speakers include:

     Nabiha Attalah - Manager, Communications and Research, Immigrant Settlement and
   Integration Services (ISIS)
    Chris Bryant - Senior Corporate Policy Analyst, Office of Policy and Priorities
    Rev. Russell Daye  - Lead Minister, St. Andrew's United Church
    Danny Graham - Chief Negotiator, Aboriginal Affairs Nova Scotia
    Wendy Lill - playwright, author, former MP
    Mark Parent - Co-chair, National Roundtable on Environment and Economy; former Nova Scotia Minister of Environment
    Crane Stookey - founder, Nova Scotia Sea School; leadership innovator

Confirmed table hosts include:

    Leo Artelejo, Chief Storyteller & Senior Counsel, MT&L  Public Relations
    Sobaz Benjamin - filmmaker, founder of iMove
    Pam Cooley - CarShare Hfx
    Kay Crinean - consultant in economic development and innovation
     John DeMont- writer, The Chronicle Herald
    Jim Drescher - Windhorse Farm
    Margaret Drescher - Windhorse Farm
    Sean Gallagher, owner of Local Source and real food advocate
    David Garrett - architect, downtown Halifax advocate
    Jason Gavras - lawyer, Gavras and Associates
    Sandy Greenberg - Nova Scotia Voice of Women for Peace
    Kathryn Hebert, financial management consultant
     David Holt - President, Context Consulting and Editor, OptiMyz Magazine
    Lois Jackson - Acting Scientific Director, Atlantic Health Promotion Research Centre and Professor of Health Promotion, Dalhousie University
    Clare O'Connor - communications consultant and owner, Full Picture Public Affairs, Inc.
    John Odenthal - environmental economist; instructor, Saint Mary's University
    John Mabley - Vice President, University Relations, NSCAD University
    Jan Morrison - playwright, psychotherapist, poet
     Josephine Muxlow - Clinical Nurse Specialist, Adult Mental Health, First Nations & Inuit Branch,
    Health Canada
    Julia Sable - Policy Analyst, Nova Scotia Department of Energy
    Joseph Szostak - photojournalist; Board of Directors, ViewPoint Gallery
    Robyn Traill - Director of Shambhala School
    Mary Anne White - University Research Professor of Chemistry (Dalhousie) and Science Communicator
    Don Winchell - Private Business Networks
    

Event facilitators: Gabrielle Donnelly and Jeff Torbert.

Public Forum Organizing Committee: Martin Janowitz, co-chair; Sally Walker, co-chair; Julia Creighton, coordinator; Kay Crinean, Carolyn Gimian, John Odenthal, Michael Speraw, Robyn Traill

Please note parts of the event may be photographed or filmed. Please identify yourself at check-in to one of the event organizers on site if you would prefer your image not be captured.

 Who is the event for ?

This event will interest people from many disciplines and walks of life who care deeply about our province’s future. It is also an opportunity to focus on the positive in Nova Scotia and identify and celebrate strengths that we can build on.

What format will the presentations take?

The speakers will make short, provocative, and inspirational presentations and raise compelling questions for participants to discuss and contemplate.

 What subjects will be covered?

Participants from many different personal or professional backgrounds will work together to generate ideas and tools for building the future in Nova
Scotia. The afternoon will also feature short contemplative and participatory arts activities.

  What are the expected outcomes?

•      Deeper appreciation for what Nova Scotia has to offer
•      Inspiration about the future of the province
•      New connections with people from diverse backgrounds and walks of life
•      New insights and different perspectives on working with present and future challenges

 Why is the Shambhala Community hosting this public forum?

2012 marks the 25th anniversary of the passing of Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche, the founder of Shambhala. This forum is one of many events to commemorate his passing. It is offered as an expression of the Shambhala community’s appreciation to the people of the province and to celebrate our journey forward together.