Yesterday members of the Metro Vancouver business community gathered at the Terminal City Club for a luncheon and discussion about the role of business in building connectedness in the urban environment.
The event was part of SFU Public Square’s inaugural community summit Alone Together: Connecting in the City, which was designed in response to the Vancouver Foundation’s research on connections and engagement in the city.
The issue of urban isolation was identified in a wide-ranging public consultation undertaken last year by the foundation.
Guests at the luncheon were welcomed by Andrew Petter, president and vice-chancellor of SFU, who said, “We need community partners, and we are particularly delighted our engagement involves people in the business community.
“With your expertise, your entrepreneurial spirit, your knowledge and your investment in and concern for the health of our community, we view you as a huge resource.”
Also addressing the attendees were Faye Wightman and Gordon MacDougall, respectively CEO and chair of the Vancouver Foundation, and SFU chancellor Carole Taylor.
The event concluded with a round-table dialogue session facilitated by Shauna Sylvester, executive director of SFU Public Square, which examined business’ role in creating greater connectivity among citizens in the region.
