Building a city with enough for all
Dream of a city where there is enough for all.
And then make that dream a reality.
How? By tapping into our collective imagination and creativity, exploring small changes and different ways of approaching the challenges in our communities (sometimes referred to as futures thinking), we can chart new paths toward helping all Calgarians thrive in the city we share.
This fall, in the spirit of innovation and curiosity, we invite you to gather in the Create Space at the Central Library to experience a variety of interactive storytelling experiences that will draw us closer to a fully equitable reality. From the premiere of Sage Cannon’s Making Ends Meet audio play, which immerses listeners in the lived experiences of poverty spoken by over 100 fellow citizens, to the thought-provoking collection of zines that bring us together to envision a Calgary without poverty, the narratives shared here help us imagine a future where there is enough for all.
What social and environmental factors need to be in place to reduce poverty in Calgary? What actions can we take individually and from a systems approach to ensure that no one in our community feels the stifling pressure of poverty? Add your thoughts, raise your voice, spread the word: iih kanii tai staiiwa—in the language the Blackfoot Elders gave us in a 2023 naming ceremony—everything is here. It’s up to all of us to gather our knowledge, creativity and goodwill to use what we have to change how our city works.
Falling into poverty can happen more quickly than most people think. Play the 30-Day Snakes and Ladders Challenge and navigate the ups and downs of monthly expenses. Experience common financial challenges and opportunities, reflecting the real struggles and support that people living in poverty—and all of us—face. It’s eye-opening how quickly life can change. How does playing this game change the way you think about poverty? Come and take the challenge.
From access to medicine and healthcare systems and connection to green space; from sharing resources to creating feelings of safety and belonging; when we come together with our full spectrum of ideas and approaches, we can ensure that there is enough for all. We believe that enough for all cities can help recalibrate the entire world.
Be part of the experience. Join us at the Central Library from October 2 through January 6 and immerse yourself in enough-for-all storytelling.
Held on the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, Zine Fest is a showcase of art for social change. It’s also an experience where you can exchange ideas, be inspired to act, and take a moment to reflect; it piques our collective imagination and helps set us on a path toward the thriving future we want for our city. By inviting a community of voices together, we’re not just hearing about poverty—we’re learning how to disrupt the systems that create it.
Zines have been a tool to inspire critical thinking about the challenges in our city, and together we create and reflect on a collective vision for a future where poverty is no longer a barrier to a life well-lived. They represent the hope that we can, and will, build a future where everyone has enough—enough resources, enough opportunities, enough dignity, and enough community.
Don’t miss the unveiling of the E4A Community Zine Mural, which incorporates images from the zines we’ve gathered from participants in our city-wide zine-making workshops.
Check out more information and the event schedule.
Join us, October 17, at the Central Library and experience creativity, connection and art for social change at Zine Fest!