We are facing challenging times. Individuals, communities, and society are vulnerable on many levels. More and more councils are declaring a climate emergency and we are experiencing many other systemic issues including growing inequality, increasing homelessness, mental health challenges and precarious employment.

We live in a society that is more individualistic and competitive rather than cooperative.

We need to explore social innovation and enterprise solutions to not only tackle specific issues but also to look after whole communities.

Join this event to explore the following question:

How can we draw on our strengths, passions and creativity and come together for the common good?

The event will begin with community building activities as we warm up to embark on an open space technology session to explore individual, community and entrepreneurial ideas.

Open Space is built on the assumption that people already have within them the wisdom and creativity to confront even the most difficult challenges; that the answers we need are available to us; and that we are wiser together than we are alone.

On a practical level, it is a powerful tool for facilitating deep conversations. It utilises the experience of participants to EITHER speak up about an idea they are passionate about OR to contribute to the discussion.

While having the opportunity to discuss new ideas, challenges, opportunities and networking, this event will help you explore social change and innovation through the power of community development, collective intelligence and creativity.

The event is hosted by Dimitrios Papalexis, SoulGen, Tirrania Suhood, InCollaboration and friends as part of Spark Festival, Australia's largest event for start ups, innovators and entrepreneurs.

Meet your hosts

Dimitrios Papalexis, Founder, SoulGen

Dimitrios is a Social Entrepreneur, Writer, Speaker, Coach & Performing Artist. He has lived in three different countries, speaks 4 languages. He has worked in various non-government organisations including mental health, disability, carers and community programs in the past.
Dimitrios has many years of experience with Psychodrama, Playback theatre and is now currently an actor part of the creative team of Mindblank.

Dimitrios has been awarded with a Do it Differently Grant from Bayside Council and South Eastern Local Health District SESLHD on 2016 for his ABCD project "Everyone has a Story".

He has also been awarded the NSW Youth Worker of the Year Award 2019 for his outstanding work with young people using Asset Based Community Development, Arts & Social Enterprise.

Dimitrios brings together his experience and passion in psychology, arts, story-telling, asset based community development, participatory leadership and social enterprise to facilitate change and growth for individuals, organisations and diverse communities.

For more information about Dimitrios visit

https://www.facebook.com/Dimit...

Tirrania Suhood, Founder & Director, InCollaboration

Tirrania is a systems thinker, network catalyst and relationship builder for collaborative impact.

She is passionate about people and organisations coming together to share their ideas, energies and resources to create change. She builds ecosystems, valuing the different organisational forms, small and large, including cooperatives, social enterprises and not-for-profits.

Tirrania originally began her career in the corporate sector following a degree in computing science. She soon realised her passion for community development and social change. She changed direction and went on to lead Bridges, a community organisation in Blacktown, Western Sydney, as its executive officer for 20 years. Bridges was known as a small and networked organisation that punched above its weight leading collaborative, strengths-based, systems-changing initiatives to tackling social and sector issues. Tirrania was known as a strong advocate for small NGOS, having led the development of a strategy/movement called Voice for SONG(Small Organisation Non-Government).

She is currently the catalyst/ co-convenor of Sydney Commons Lab, a new collaborative initiative for the common good.

The Lab is part of a global commons movement which promotes ways of living and working to care for each other and our Earth. It emphasises shared stewardship and ownership of resources that will enable access for everyone to essential needs including food, housing, energy, transport and social care.

For more information about Tirrania visit https://www.incollaboration.com.au/meet-the-incollaboration-team

https://www.linkedin.com/in/tirrania-suhood-52368821/

Special guest speaker:

Rebecca Iliffe, Turnstone Projects will be hosting a mini session about Discovery.

Discovery, an asset-based individual assessment tool specifically designed for people seeking entry level training, work or volunteering opportunities whose English is not their first language, they have gaps in their schooling or they can’t document their work experiences.

The event is held at WeWork. Complimentary beverages will be available

WeWork is the platform for creators. It provides beautiful workspace, an inspiring community, and meaningful business services to tens of thousands of members around the world. From startups and freelancers to small businesses and large corporations, WeWork community is united by a desire for their members to create meaningful work and lead meaningful lives—to be a part of something greater than themselves. Co-founded by Adam Neumann and Miguel McKelvey in New York City in 2010, WeWork is a privately held company with over 10,000 employees.

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You may be photographed or videod while attending this event: please approach the organiser if you have questions, concerns, or do not wish this to happen.

The event organisers may add you to a mailing list so they can follow up, and you can receive updates about their activities: this mailing list will have an easy-to-find unsubscribe button.

This event is part of Spark Festival and upholds the Spark Code of Conduct.

Contact the host of Social Change and Innovation: Shifting The Focus to Community