1st Annual YvrFirst Community Conference

Conference Strands

1. Empowerment in Business & Innovation
   Exploring strategies, tools, and systemic reforms for individuals and organizations to drive sustainable growth and meaningful innovation.
   Example topics:

   1. Leading organizational change through inclusive design

   2. Ethical entrepreneurship and social innovation

   3. Building creative, sustainable business models

   4. Artificial intelligence and human-centered innovation

2. Empowerment in Education & Lifelong Learning
   Sessions focused on cultivating environments where every learner has access to their full potential.
   Example topics:

   1. Culturally responsive and trauma-informed teaching

   2. Universal Design for Learning and Inclusive Pedagogy

   3. Adult learning, andragogy, and reimagining professional growth

   4. AI and technology integration for equitable access

3. Empowerment in Community
   Bridging diverse communities to foster empathy, communication, and collaboration.
   Example topics:

   1. Community partnerships that promote wellness and belonging

   2. Restorative practices and conflict transformation

   3. Storytelling and identity as tools for empathy

   4. Civic engagement and local leadership

4. Empowerment in Second Chances & Systemic Redesign
   Addressing barriers and reimagining systems for collective well-being.
   Example topics:

   1. The school-to-prison pipeline: prevention and reform

   2. Reentry, workforce transition, and adult pathways

   3. Learning from failure: resilience and redesign

   4. Mental health, belonging, and structural healing