A small group of Prince George residents are adding their voices to a province-wide discussion on the future of B.C.'s economy.
On Wednesday afternoon, Simon Fraser University's Public Square will be in town hosting one of their Community Conversations to gather input for a larger session in the fall.
Taking place at Initiatives Prince George between 3 and 6 p.m., there will be up to 20 local participants taking part in a facilitated discussion with SFU Public Square executive director Shauna Sylvester.
The Lower Mainland university's Public Square initiative is described as being "designed to spark, nurture and restore community connections" and establish SFU as the "go-to convener of serious and productive conversations about issues of public concern."
Last year the group focused on the theme of isolation and disconnection in the urban environment. This year, they are working towards an Oct. 3 Community Summit exploring the issue of charting the economy to create wealth, promote social equity and protect the environment.
"There is a hunger in this province for an informed and non-polarized conversation about B.C.'s economic future - a conversation that moves beyond downtown Vancouver board rooms and reaches people in their communities," said Sylvester.
Those participating in the Prince George discussion will be "key stakeholders and representatives" of a variety of sectors such as education, the health industry and immigrant services, said Public Square provincial outreach co-ordinator Marissa Lawrence.
Information collected at the local event will be used to inform the October summit, where 150 delegates will discuss the same topics before the findings are collated into a report known as the Citizen's Agenda for B.C.'s Economic Future.
"We're really looking a policy makers, those who are involved in that deliberative dialogue, so those will involve those in civil service, those in government, policy makers, right across the board," said Lawrence. "We will ensure that this citizen's agenda is in front of them."
