Claire Ryan’s latest FUSION Saint John article appeared in today’s Telegraph-Journal:
This Friday, FUSION will partner with the New Brunswick Poverty Reduction Initiative and CFMH 107.3, UNBSJ’s campus radio station, for the March Party with a Purpose. This month, party-goers will be asked to participate in a dialogue session, one of a series of conversations taking place throughout New Brunswick, asking, “What does poverty mean to you and what do you think we, as a society, can do to reduce it?”
“Poverty is a complex, societal issue, and everyone’s input is valuable,” says project manager Phyllis Mockler-Caissie.
The Poverty Reduction Initiative is a joint venture of government, business and non-profit sectors, and they are seeking input from the entire province.
“By getting people talking, we want to increase awareness of the issue and help people understand that we have a shared responsibility to address this issue,” Mockler-Caissie says.
These sessions are part of a three-phase public engagement process, designed to give New Brunswickers the opportunity to weigh in on poverty and how best to solve the issue. Input collected at these sessions has been recorded and will be compiled into a “what was said” report.
Phase two will be a series of round-table discussions to take place this fall. This will be led by a leadership team made up of experts in poverty reduction, including people who live, or have lived, in poverty themselves. This team will review the “what was said” report and present its findings during phase three – the final forum, scheduled for November.
This public engagement process will culminate in a poverty reduction plan for New Brunswick, which will outline what actions will be taken, and methods for measuring success.
Ambassadors committee co-chairman Eric Savoie learned about the initiative through his work with the New Brunswick Youth Advisory Council, and saw an opportunity to engage FUSION members in the discussion.
“From a FUSION perspective, we are able to assemble a network of people who want to be engaged and be part of the solutions that will shape the future of the community,” Savoie said.
Gerry Pond, co-chairman of the Poverty Reduction Initiative, will be on hand to lead the discussion and CFMH will have recording equipment and circulate the room, collecting stories and ideas that will be submitted for inclusion in the “what was said” report.
“Our hope is that people will join us and share their honest opinions about poverty and suggestions about how this issue can be dealt with,” Savoie said. “Whether or not you’ve experienced poverty in your own life, there are little things we can all do that will collectively make a big difference.”
This month’s Party with a Purpose will be held on Friday at Pepper’s Pub from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. For more information, please visit us online at www.fusionsj.com.
Claire Ryan works with MT&L Public Relations Ltd. and is a member of the FUSION Saint John board. Her column appears on Tuesdays. Email her at cryan@mtlpr.ca
