Towards a more decolonial, anti-racist and feminist public engagement (2022)

Engaging Canadians: Insights on Decolonial, anti-racist, and feminist approaches (2024)

We have created a library of websites, toolkits, academic articles, videos, and other resources related to public engagement from decolonial, anti-racist, and feminist lenses. 

The ICN hosts informative webinars and online panels on critical public engagement. Register for our upcoming fall series of webinars or watch previous sessions at the link below!

The blog series spotlights grassroots insights and lived experiences, with a focus on advancing decolonial, anti-racist, and feminist approaches to public engagement. Contributors respond to the central question:

What role can centering communities play in advancing decolonial, anti-racist, and feminist public engagement?

In their responses, contributors draw from their experiences, knowledges, and expertise. They explore how meaningful public engagement can be reimagined through one or more of the following themes:

• Communities – Who is engaged, how, and why?
• Resources – What is needed to support equitable and meaningful participation?
• Dialogues – How can we foster inclusive, transformative conversations across difference?
• Power – Who holds what power, and how can it be disrupted and reimagined?
• Language – What narratives are privileged, silenced and/or marginalized, and what are the implications?
• Critical Reflection – How can we remain accountable, question our practices and commit to ongoing learning?

The ICN is running a series of sessions to provide a comprehensive and practical exploration of how decolonial, anti-racist, and feminist approaches can be integrated into public engagement strategies. Each session will feature an address from an expert in the field, and will create a space for reflection, critical conversation, and practical learning.

The series will offer participants insights into the challenges and opportunities organizations face in implementing these approaches, while also equipping them with the tools and strategies necessary to build more inclusive, responsive, and impactful PE initiatives. The series includes sessions on:

1. Decolonial approaches to public engagement
2. Anti-racist approaches to public engagement
3. Feminist approaches to public engagement
4. Rethinking engagement strategies during evolving political times
5. Developing effective public engagement campaigns to influence policy
6. Designing effective communications strategies to amplify impact and share promising public engagement practices