The Tamarack Institute is a charitable organization with over 20 years of experience building the capacity of changemakers. We exist to end poverty in all of its forms: economic poverty, relational poverty, the poverty of education inequities, and the poverty of our relationship to our planet and other living beings.
Belonging sits at the heart of strong, vibrant communities. In the face of loneliness, social isolation, and polarization, this publication sheds light on the insights, aspirations, and actions voiced by communities across Canada in 2024 on building belonging and shaping more equitable futures.
Specifically, this report:
- Outlines 3 essential conditions to make belonging a policy priority and outcome: stewarding power redistribution and democratic competencies, finding common ground, and inspiring leadership.
- Identifies 9 recurring themes from numerous community conversations throughout 2024, alongside 6 design principles and 4 practical considerations to shape a robust and effective Canada-wide Strategy.
- Presents our vision for 2025 and beyond, rooted in building awareness and will, transforming skills and knowledge, and enabling systems-wide support.
- Extends an invitation for communities across Canada to reimagine our social contract through the prototype of a Belonging Commons.
Through stories of communities and practitioners in action, the Tamarack Institute hopes to ignite courageous partnerships to bring belonging to the forefront of Canada-wide efforts to end poverty in all its forms.
Our deepest gratitude goes to Njoki Mbũrũ and Jorge Garza for their invaluable work as co-authors of this report.
We also extend sincere gratitude to our funding partner Samuel Family Foundation and to Tamarack colleagues, Danya Pastuszek, Heather Keam, Jaime Stief, Bobby MacPherson, Claire Lewis, Amanda Loch, and Ruté Ojigbo for their significant contributions in bringing this report to completion.
Last but not least, we extend heartfelt gratitude to the communities who journeyed with us across 2024, playing a vital role in shaping this first iteration of the Call for a Strategy for Belonging. Your dedication and passion are truly inspiring!
We welcome your questions and comments on this report. To share your thoughts, please contact Jorge at [email protected]
