Canadian Water Innovation Lab — An uncommon, unconventional unconference

Be sure to watch the videos at the end of the article.

Unconventional — not bound by or adhering to convention; being out of the ordinary.

Both of these meanings apply in equal measure to the Canadian Water Innovation Lab, an uncommon conference spearheaded by Waterlution, a non-governmental organization that brings together young leaders for peer-to-peer and intergenerational learning programs on water.

With financial and administrative support from the Canadian Water Network, the event’s lead strategic partner, CWIL engaged 250 enthusiastic and water-passionate young Canadians from all over the country to develop the insights, tools and connections to make a difference in protecting and preserving water resources.

“The event was an overwhelming success on many levels,” said Karen Kun, Waterlution’s director and co-founder.

“It brought people together who don’t usually have the time and space to genuinely explore the connections between their work on water. As participants were confronted by such diverse perspectives, the four days at CWIL enabled a deep dive into achieving a better understanding of trans-border water issues and collaboration opportunities.”

Comprised of two linked events, CWIL’s pre-lab was held at the Banff Centre on October 18–20, 2010 for 48 facilitators who were trained to guide deep and effective discussions of systems change. Dubbed the “Unconference for uncommon young leaders,” the main event that followed was held from October 21–24 at Camp Chief Hector YMCA, a spectacular 1,000-acre site at the base of the Rockies, one hour west of Calgary.

Rather than a typical talking-heads conference, participants in the unconference learned experientially from each other, through interactive methods and one-to-one interactions with water-resource practitioners and policy-makers, activists and educators, and Aboriginal, community and business leaders.

Over the four days, young professionals from diverse water-related fields confirmed emerging research trends, identified entrepreneurial opportunities, and uncovered key areas for action on water locally, regionally and nationally.

Unconference sessions explored many topics, including novel and long-term pressures on water resources, water policy and management approaches in need of revision, development of collaborative multigenerational, multisectorial and multicultural solutions, and new and effective ways for young Canadians to participate and be engaged in decision-making.

“Waterlution drew hundreds of high-calibre facilitators and participants from the far reaches of Canada to learn from leading experts, to discuss emerging water issues, and to equip young water leaders for the future,” said Ken Oakes, a research associate on a CWN-funded study, who participated at CWIL as a facilitator. “The unconference was instrumental in creating the multidisciplinary networks, awareness, and passion in attendees needed to change Canada’s water systems in the face of an uncertain future.”

Kurtis Doney, a professional engineer with the City of Regina and a Prairie co-representative on CWN’s Student and Young Professional Committee also attended as a facilitator.

“I encouraged participants to discuss water-related issues that may create a spark of passion or interest for themselves and perhaps the group,” Kurtis explained. “The unconference provided a safe zone that allowed technical and non-technical participants to ask questions that may not have otherwise been asked at a conventional conference. The objective of the unconference was not to answer any particular water-related question, but rather to begin a dialogue between people who are interested in water-related issues and to push participants into thinking outside their training.”

The CWIL event was great,” said Katie Thomas, one of the participants and a Central Activities Co-Representative on CWN’s Student and Young Professional Committee. “It was really effective in getting all of us talking about water issues.”

“The biggest surprise take-away was the value people with long-time experience in the field could gain from the fresh perspective this next generation of water leaders brings to the table,” Karen said.

CWIL’s mentors included such water visionaries as Robert Sandford, the EPCOR Chair of the Canadian Partnership Initiative in support of United Nations “Water for Life” Decade; Alex Salki, a research biologist with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans; Tony Maas, WWF-Canada’s national advisor on freshwater policy and planning; Cynthia Wesley-Esquimaux, joint faculty member in Social Work and Aboriginal Studies at the University of Toronto; and David Henderson, Managing Director of XPV Capital Corporation and a member of the 2009 Top 40 under 40.

Since Waterlution was founded in 2003, the organization has hosted more than 35 workshops in nine provinces for more than 750 youth and 100 policy-makers, scientists, and business, Aboriginal and community leaders.

The Canadian Water Network was CWIL’s lead strategic partner.

CWIL was funded by the Canadian Water Network, RBC Blue Water Project, the Alberta Real Estate Foundation, Nexen Inc., Shell Canada Ltd., Suncor Energy Inc., Cenovus Energy Inc., Tides Canada, Walter & Duncan Gordon Foundation, Devon Energy Corporation, New Alta, The Winnipeg Foundation, City of Calgary, Alberta Ecotrust Foundation, Tim Hortons, Province of Ontario, Lake Winnipeg Foundation, The Calgary Foundation, Alberta Water Research Institute, and Bullfrog Power.