Blogs

The Walrus Talks Power and Belonging Every year, new studies show continual erosion in the public trust in institutions and society in Canada. Democracy feels fragile, and many people feel… view full article >>

Diego is a researcher with the Belonging Research Lab who completed the MPhil in Development Studies at the University of Oxford. His research focuses on socio-environmental conflicts in Latin America,… view full article >>

The Belonging Form has convened two conversations on a question that is becoming increasingly urgent: what does belonging mean for young people in a screen saturated age? This is particularly… view full article >>

The Belonging Forum is partnering with Sightsavers on an inclusive sensory garden that has been chosen for the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2026, which takes place in London in May.… view full article >>

Thank You for a Year of Building Belonging As this year comes to a close, I find myself holding two important truths at the same time. The global situation is… view full article >>

What happens when you combine four brilliant comedians, a room full of strangers, and a spotlight on belonging? A lot of laughter—and a bit of magic ✨ Across every set—from… view full article >>

The Walrus Talks at Home: Aging and Belonging How do we foster belonging across generations? What does it mean to age — and thrive — in a world that often… view full article >>

Last week, the Belonging Forum continued its series of community visits, travelling to Watford in the UK to explore the realities of social connection in a town that presents a… view full article >>

At the 2025 Global Symposium on Belonging in Toronto, we wanted to create something that would not only inspire reflection but help participants feel the principles at the heart of… view full article >>

The Walrus Talks at Home: Place and Belonging Reimagining the spaces that bring us together How do the places where we gather shape how we connect? From housing to green… view full article >>

This month, we gathered for our fifth Global Symposium – a week devoted to connection, reflection, and shared action. This year’s theme, “Bridges to Belonging,” invited us to explore how… view full article >>

This autumn, the Samuel Centre for Social Connectedness (SCSC) will officially become the Belonging Forum. Since 2017, SCSC has been a home for research, advocacy, and convenings – including four… view full article >>

This Loneliness Awareness Week, we welcomed advocates, community leaders, and changemakers to our third annual Belonging Forum breakfast reception to explore one of the most vital questions of our time:… view full article >>

By Caroline Naluwemba, 2024 Social Connectedness Fellow Caroline is a 2024 Social Connectedness Fellow, working with Harvard Law School Project on Disability. She is a dedicated self-advocate from Inclusion Uganda,… view full article >>

By Méliss Desmond, 2024 Social Connectedness Fellow Méliss is a 2024 Social Connectedness Fellow working with Special Olympics. They are building a career in public health, focused on creating equitable… view full article >>

by Fionn Crombie Angus, 2024 Social Connectedness Fellow  Fionn is a 2024 Social Connectedness Fellow, working with Harvard Law School Project on Disability. Fionn is a passionate advocate, and an… view full article >>

Samantha is a 2024 Social Connectedness Fellow, working with Partners in Health Malawi, known locally as Abwenzi Pa Za Umoyo (APZU). She has recently completed her Bachelor of Science Degree… view full article >>

The Walrus Talks Reimagining Volunteerism The growing trend of social isolation is one of the major challenges our world faces today. Studies show that the “loneliness epidemic” is causing significant… view full article >>

Last month, the Belonging Forum continued its series of community visits, which began in Hexham, with a local roundtable in Western Scotland.   We co-hosted our second roundtable in the constituency… view full article >>

Reflections on Anthropy: Rebooting Britain by Belonging  This March, we joined Anthropy at the Eden Project in Cornwall. A gathering of over 2,000 people, Anthropy’s mission focuses on how to… view full article >>

Stanford is a 2024 Social Connectedness Fellow, working with Synergos South Africa. With degrees in Education and Teacher Development from the University of Pretoria, he advocates for quality education and… view full article >>

This week, the Belonging Forum held its first community visit to Hexham, located in the North East of England. The purpose of the visit was to inform the world’s first Charter… view full article >>

How can Indigenous knowledge, traditions, and practices help us understand the essential human experience of belonging? The world is facing a crisis of belonging. Leading public health authorities have declared… view full article >>

Public debates play a crucial role in shaping policies and addressing the most pressing issues of our time. The Battle of Ideas festival does just that, by bringing together policymakers,… view full article >>

Dorothy is a 2024 Research Fellow with over 20 years of experience living in shared homes. She has poured her passion for this lifestyle into founding Golden HomeSharing Connections, an organization dedicated… view full article >>

Exploring the power of social prescribing to build connections, improve well-being, and foster belonging The evidence is clear: social isolation and loneliness can be as harmful to our health as… view full article >>

Suad is a 2024 Research Fellow working with the Coastal Research, Education, and Advocacy Network (CREAN) and a community-based researcher with a passion for advancing social justice knowledge. Rooted in her Somali… view full article >>

Maya is a 2024 Social Connectedness Fellow working with Indigenous Climate Action (ICA). for the Summer. Maya is pursuing her Masters of Social Justice at Lakehead University while completing a creative thesis… view full article >>

During this year’s Loneliness Awareness Week, the Belonging Forum hosted its annual breakfast reception, bringing together a group of friends, colleagues and partners from many walks of life. The aim was to… view full article >>

A Year-End Message by Kim Samuel I’ve always loved the symbolism of this time of year. In the Northern Hemisphere, where I live, this is the time when we move… view full article >>

Last month, Samuel Centre for Social Connectedness Founder and Chief Belonging Officer Kim Samuel brought her message of belonging and social connection to South Africa. The two-week tour, which included… view full article >>

NEWS 24 | SCSC Founder and Chief Belonging Officer Kim Samuel answers questions about the journey to publishing her book, On Belonging: Finding Connection in an Age of Isolation. READ view full article >>

History tells us that we’re in trouble if we prioritize efficiency and growth over values like equity and social connectedness. By Kim Samuel Recently, the renowned venture capitalist Vinod Khosla… view full article >>

Imagine if you could: These are just some of the many benefits of an urban planning concept that’s rapidly entered mainstream public discourse in recent years: the 15-minute city. The… view full article >>

Happy International Women’s Day! To celebrate the difference women make every day around the world, the team at the Samuel Centre for Social Connectedness is sharing a list of some of the… view full article >>

Three years ago, the field of social connectedness was populated by a much smaller group of actors, working on an area of study that seldom made the press or public discourse. While… view full article >>

SCSC recently hosted its 2022 Global Symposium, Imagination and Action: Building Systems of Belonging, in Toronto, Canada. Bringing together more than 150 stakeholders from across the world, the Symposium provided a space… view full article >>

By Esther Kim, 2022 Social Connectedness Fellow. Esther is partnered with Human Rights Watch, Disability Rights Division The term “vulnerable” comes at a cost. Used to describe “individuals who are at… view full article >>

Globally, Canada comes in 8th for the total number of foreign born residents (immigrants) residing in a country. However, accepting immigrants into a country does not guarantee a sense of belonging, or… view full article >>

Synergos | Synergos hosted a live event in New York to discuss Kim Samuel’s new book ON BELONGING: FINDING CONNECTION IN AN AGE OF ISOLATION WATCH view full article >>

Written by: Laura Murphy, 2022 Social Connectedness Fellow. For perhaps many of us, we can recall fond spots in our backyards or neighbourhood parks that held special meaning to us… view full article >>

Written by: Unathi Mabena, 2022 Social Connectedness Fellow. On the 7th of February 2022, children in South Africa officially returned to full-time schooling for the first time since the onset of… view full article >>

Written By: Fairuz Karim, 2022 Social Connectedness Fellow. International student enrollment in Canadian post-secondary institutions has risen in the past several years. Looking back at 2018-2019 and 2019-2020, international students accounted… view full article >>

Written By: Emily Mullins, 2022 Social Connectedness Fellow. We’ve all likely encountered the occasional dreaded message “Your internet connection is unstable” during a zoom meeting, or experienced buffering when watching… view full article >>

Written By: Paarth Mittal, 2022 Social Connectedness Fellow ** Trigger warning: mention of residential schools, racism, and violence** Since the unmarked graves of 215 Indigenous children were uncovered at a… view full article >>

Written By: Diana Mairose, 2022 Social Connectedness Fellow. When I was young, speech therapy was a crucial part of my life. I have a cleft palate. My voice is soft… view full article >>

Written By: Tony Phillips, 2022 Social Connectedness Fellow. It all started on January 10th, 2020, when I went to Bellevue Hospital. I had fainted in my apartment in Manhattan. While… view full article >>

Written By: Aida Mohajeri, 2022 Social Connectedness Fellow & Margaret Turley, Special Olympics Athlete Leader Globally, the COVID-19 pandemic negatively impacted the families of persons with disabilities (PWD) in similar… view full article >>

Written By: Ashli Au 2022 Social Connectedness Fellow In 2014, conflict erupted between Ukraine and Russia following Russia’s annexation of the Crimean peninsula. Though efforts were made to put an… view full article >>

Written By: Ariana Seferiades Prece, 2022 Social Connectedness Fellow More than two years into the global pandemic that has disrupted our lives on an unprecedented scale, we are at a… view full article >>

Written by: Waghma Ahmadzay, 2022 Social Connectedness Fellow This World Refugee Day, Let’s Hold Canada Accountable. Waghma (she/her) is a 2022 Social Connectedness Fellow, and is passionate about human rights… view full article >>

If there’s one theme that emerged from 2021, it’s hope amidst adversity. Young activists in the streets of Glasgow demanded action from leaders at the UN’s global climate summit, driving a… view full article >>

On International Human Rights Day, what does it mean to find belonging at home, in our local communities, in our parks, our neighbourhoods, and even in our half-vacant downtowns?  Kim… view full article >>

The Samuel Centre for Social Connectedness (SCSC) and founding partner Fulbright Canada, are proud to announce the Honouring Nations Canada (HNC) program. This program will celebrate Indigenous people’s accomplishments and… view full article >>

Global Shapers Community, an initiative of the World Economic Forum, is a network of Hubs developed and led by young people around the world who are exceptional in their potential, their achievements,… view full article >>

Written by: Jessica Farber Strategic Initiatives Coordinator & Project Manager, Common Threads, Samuel Centre for Social Connectedness Today — December 18 — marks International Migrants Day. The number of international… view full article >>

Event Details:Time: 6-8:30pmVenue: Kin Co-Working. 397a Saint-Catherine St. W, Montreal, QC Through firsthand testimony from humanitarian aid workers, researchers, and activists, this event will raise awareness of the impacts of… view full article >>

As part of his SCSC fellowship this summer, Noah Powers chose to produce a podcast titled ‘Queer Here, Queer There’ with the goal of making his research more accessible to the wider… view full article >>

This summer, Social Connectedness Fellow Priya Nair is conducting an oral history series titled “What We Leave Behind.” Priya is working on SCSC’s Common Threads project, which was created in… view full article >>

On February 1st, 2019, founder of the Samuel Centre for Social Connectedness, Kim Samuel, was presented with a degree of Doctor of Letters from Vancouver Island University. Ms. Samuel’s achievements… view full article >>

We are very pleased to announce that Founder of the Samuel Centre for Social Connectedness, Ms. Kim Samuel, will be receiving an honorary degree from Vancouver Island University, today at… view full article >>

The United Nations has declared December 3rd of every year as the International day for the observance of Persons with Disabilities.  Previous articles for Social Connectedness have highlighted the importance of this recognition for… view full article >>

On October 15th and 16th in Montreal, the Samuel Centre for Social Connectedness hosted a workshop on “Supporting the Whole Student”.  The gathering included a diverse group of thought leaders and changemakers… view full article >>

Written By: Jessica Farber, Ana Sofia Hibon and Celine Thomas | Strategic Initiative Coordinators, Samuel Centre for Social Connectedness This week, public outrage over the separation of Central American parents and children… view full article >>

Written By Valériane Buslot Social Connectedness Fellow 2018 On May 10th 2018, the Samuel Center for Social Connectedness (SCSC), Data-Driven Yale (DDY) and MTLGreen organised “Measuring What Matters: Pathways to Inclusive Climate Action.” The purpose of… view full article >>

Written By: Kim Boucher Morin | Project Coordinator, TakingITGlobal Social Connectedness Fellow 2017 On May 9th, 2018 over 200 people gathered in person and connected via live stream for the… view full article >>

Written By: Eloïse O ‘Carroll, Social Connectedness Fellow 2018 This March, Bethany Brown, Older People’s Rights Researcher at the Health and Human Rights Division at Human Rights Watch (HRW) and… view full article >>

Written By: Madeleine Andrew-Gee, Social Connectedness Fellow 2017 In September of 2015, the world awoke to the image of young Syrian refugee Aylan Kurdi, lifeless on a beach in Greece,… view full article >>

Written By: Emma Harries, Social Connectedness Fellow 2017 Developers are beginning to understand the importance of designing with community in mind, yet soaring prices mean the spaces are only available for… view full article >>

Written By: Jeremy Monk, Social Connectedness Fellow 2017 In 2015, Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission issued its final report, along with 94 calls to action. These calls to action urged governments, Indigenous… view full article >>

Written By: Ilinca Gradea, Social Connectedness Fellow 2018 In most countries today, children are significantly less active than their parents were growing up. The causes for this are multiple and… view full article >>

The tree above is symbolic of the transformation of a young woman who found the courage to overcome obstacles in her life supported by the Wraparound Intervention Model. She was… view full article >>

I have been thinking about something Dr. Ralph Nilson, the President of Vancouver Island University, recently said to me: The core purpose of postsecondary education is to help every student… view full article >>

Written By: Eric Lindsay, Social Connectedness Fellow 2018 In 2015, the Population Division of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs concluded that “population aging—the increasing share of… view full article >>

Written By: Paul Berthe, Social Connectedness Fellow 2018 “When there is violence, it is mostly the prostitute’s fault. See, I am going to buy something. If I am satisfied with… view full article >>

Written By: Madeleine Andrew-Gee, Social Connectedness Fellow 2017 In the era of #MeToo, growing awareness of long-ignored injustices is being transformed into concrete solutions. Actions are already being proposed from… view full article >>

Written By: Ana Sofia Hibon, Social Connectedness Fellow 2017 & Kim Boucher Morin, Social Connectedness Fellows 2017 How do people, communities, or nations move forward and heal in the aftermath… view full article >>

Written By: Ana Sofia Hibon, Social Connectedness Fellow 2017 On April 9th, the first edition of Rising Tide: Surfacing POC Artists was held at Toronto’s Buddies in Bad Times Theatre. At this event,… view full article >>

Written By: Emma Harries, Social Connectedness Fellow 2017 Planes, trains and automobiles – it has never been easier to travel from one side of the world to the other. Journeys… view full article >>

Written By: Ilinca Gradea, Social Connectedness Fellow 2018 Today, approximately 300,000 people living with a disability are unemployed in Romania. This is an astounding figure representing more than 50% of disabled persons… view full article >>

Written By: Eloïse O ‘Carroll, Social Connectedness Fellow 2018 This February marked the 100th anniversary of the Representation of the People Act of 1918 in Great Britain and Ireland. This Fourth… view full article >>

On March 27th, The Samuel Centre for Social Connectedness (SCSC) convened an event in Montreal, entitled From Integration to Inclusion: A Roundtable on Refugee Reception. As millions of people around the… view full article >>

Written By: Jeremy Monk, Social Connectedness Fellow 2017 I remember being seated in my high school’s cafeteria, waiting to leave for an information session at a local technical and career… view full article >>

Written By: Eden Beschen, Social Connectedness Fellow 2017-2018 Last month, I watched my favourite football team, the Philadelphia Eagles, win their first ever Super Bowl. After the game, my social… view full article >>

In the wake of International Women’s Day on March 8th, there are many reasons to celebrate the incredible progress that has been made by the women that have come before… view full article >>

Ten years ago, the global financial crisis set then-French President Nicolas Sarkozy on a personal mission. To him, the crisis was in part caused by the international community’s fixation on… view full article >>

Written By: Claire Chauvel, Social Connectedness Fellow 2017 What would happen if all businesses knew how to value and leverage all of society’s talents? Unparalleled progress. While people with disabilities… view full article >>

Written By: Anica Lanzi, Social Connectedness Fellow 2018 During my fellowship at the Samuel Centre for Social Connectedness, I had the opportunity to conduct research on the subject of health… view full article >>

Written By: Ignace Nikwivuze, Social Connectedness Fellow 2018 I would like to acknowledge the bravery and resilience of the women survivors of the 1994 genocide against Tutsis and moderate Hutus… view full article >>

Echos of kids screaming “encore, encore,” ring through Ignace Bourget Park in Montreal on a chilly Saturday afternoon in the middle of winter. These kids are excited to be skiing,… view full article >>

Written By: Claire Chauvel, Social Connectedness Fellow 2017 “You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated. In fact, it may be necessary to encounter the defeats, so… view full article >>

Written By Ilinca Gradea, Social Connectedness Fellow 2018 After the 1989 Romanian Revolution, which ended decades of totalitarian communist rule, journalists from the West flooded in to report on this… view full article >>

Written By: Kim Boucher Morin, Project Coordinator, TakingITGlobal Social Connectedness Fellow 2017 In modern society, technology has tremendously altered the ways in which we interact with one another on a… view full article >>

Written by: Madeleine Andrew-Gee Social Connectedness Fellow 2017 Getting things done, TOGETHER. This is the message that greets you on the homepage of the Canadian Men’s Shed website — emphasis and all. A… view full article >>

Scrolling through his phone, Newt realized there was nobody he could talk to after a conflict with a close family member. He had an active social life in the past,… view full article >>

Written By: Eloïse O ‘Carroll, Social Connectedness Fellow 2018 The first months of the year mark the end of holiday excess for many, as some embark on challenges such as… view full article >>

Written By: Emma Harries, Social Connectedness Fellow 2017 In November 2017, the University of British Columbia published a study that sheds light on a dark reality: despite their heightened risk of physical… view full article >>

Written By: Ana Sofia Hibon, Social Connectedness Fellow 2017 Today, the UN observes the third celebration of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science. It is no secret that… view full article >>

Written By: Madeleine Andrew-Gee, Social Connectedness Fellow 2017 By many accounts, 2017 was a difficult year worldwide. Everywhere you looked there were lines drawn between groups in Us vs. Them scenarios —… view full article >>

On January 30th, the Samuel Centre for Social Connectedness (SCSC) hosted a screening of the documentary, Rising Voices, together with TakingITGlobal at WeWork Place Ville Marie in Montreal. The film, which premiered in Toronto… view full article >>

Written By: Jeremy Monk, Social Connectedness Fellow 2017 Although parent-teacher conferences may be enjoyed most by students, who often get an extra day off of school, these discussions between parents… view full article >>

Written By: Ana Sofia Hibon, Social Connectedness Fellow 2017 “If today I had to choose between a weapon or a brush, I would choose the brush” – Young man detained at… view full article >>

Last week, the British government set a new precedent for nations around the world. In a bold and progressive move, Prime Minister Theresa May announced the appointment of MP Tracey Crouch as… view full article >>

Written By: Claire Chauvel, Social Connectedness Fellow 2017 Food is a universal need and key pathway to connectedness. Consider the phrases “a seat at the table,” “let us break bread,”… view full article >>

Written By: Madeleine Andrew-Gee, Social Connectedness Fellow 2017 Who feeds you? Think about this question for a minute. Who raised the bacon you had this morning? What is the origin… view full article >>

Written By: Jeremy Monk, Social Connectedness Fellow 2017 The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) reports that today there are upwards of 65 million forcibly displaced people worldwide, the most… view full article >>

Written By: Claire Chauvel, Social Connectedness Fellow 2017 Article 6 of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights mandates, “Everyone has the right to recognition everywhere as a person before the law.” Recognition… view full article >>

Written By: Kim Boucher Morin, Project Coordinator, TakingITGlobal Social Connectedness Fellow 2017 Last month, the documentary Rising Voices was screened for the first time at the TIFF Bell Lightbox theatre in Toronto.… view full article >>

From all of us here at Belonging Forum we would like to wish everyone a happy new year, and express our thanks for another great year of learning and action… view full article >>

Marie-Pierre Caron left her home in Northern Quebec when she was 15 years old due to difficulties with her family. She felt alone at home, like an outsider that people… view full article >>

Written By: Ana Sofia Hibon, Social Connectedness Fellow 2017 In 1864, 23 men met in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, to craft a collective vision for what would ultimately become what… view full article >>

Written By Madeleine Andrew-Gee, Social Connectedness Fellow 2017 When you think of the military, what is the first thing that comes to mind? Some may think of intense physical training… view full article >>

In all stages of life, people need meaningful bonds and relationships with others. This is a deeply human need. Social connectedness also gives people access to the opportunities, services, and… view full article >>

On December 7th, the Fall 2017 Jeanne Sauvé Forum Series on Social Connectedness and International Development concluded with its final event of the season: “Nothing About Us Without Us”: Accessibility as a Global… view full article >>

Today is Human Rights Day, an international celebration of the fundamental rights held by all human beings. This special day occurs every year on December 10th, the anniversary of the adoption… view full article >>

Written By: Ana Sofia Hibon, Social Connectedness Fellow 2017 The 23rd annual ‘Conference of the Parties’ (COP23) under the United Nations Framework Convention for Climate Change (UNFCCC) wrapped up in Bonn,… view full article >>

Geneviève Bergeron, Hélène Colgan, Nathalie Croteau, Barbara Daigneault, Anne-Marie Edward, Maud Haviernick, Maryse Laganière, Maryse Leclair, Anne-Marie Lemay, Sonia Pelletier, Michèle Richard, Annie St-Arneault, Annie Turcotte, and Barbara Klucznik-Widajewicz. On… view full article >>

On November 27th, the Fall 2017 Jeanne Sauvé Forum Series on Social Connectedness and International Development continued with its 11th weekly seminar of the fall series: Connectedness in the Classroom and… view full article >>

Written By: Jeremy Monk Social Connectedness Fellow 2017 When we speak about children’s sports, the image of a team, whether on a field, a court or a rink, is often… view full article >>

Michelle Woolfrey takes the mic to start conversations about disability. According to the Council of Canadians with Disabilities, there are more than three million Canadians with disabilities and more than 2.3… view full article >>

Written By: Claire Chauvel Social Connectedness Fellow 2017 More than ever, people are on the move. Whether it be departure forced by life-threatening conditions or the growing host’s nationalism encroaching on newcomer’s rights or living life on… view full article >>

On November 20th, the Fall 2017 Jeanne Sauvé Forum Series on Social Connectedness and International Development continued with its 10th weekly seminar of the fall series: How Can Communities Advance Climate… view full article >>

On November 13th, the Fall 2017 Jeanne Sauvé Forum Series on Social Connectedness and International Development continued with its 9th weekly seminar of the fall series: Can Social Connectedness Act as a… view full article >>

“My hope for the future is that everyone will care about other people regardless of who they are or where they’re from. I hope that they will strive for peace… view full article >>

On November 6th, the Fall 2017 Jeanne Sauvé Forum Series on Social Connectedness and International Development continued with an event entitled, Beyond Silos: Communities as  Drivers in Overcoming Multidimensional Poverty. The… view full article >>

Written By: Jessica Farber and Kim Boucher Morin On Sunday November 5th, 15 bold speakers and 3 performers graced the stage of Théatre Saint-Denis in downtown Montreal during the 4th… view full article >>

Written By: Jessica Farber & Celine Thomas – Research Analysts, Samuel Centre for Social Connectedness The United Nations has called the latest mass exodus of Rohingya Muslims from Myanmar the… view full article >>

Three years ago, the UN declared October 31st to be World Cities Day to celebrate the world’s urban centres and share their successes and challenges for sustainable urban development. Although the theme,… view full article >>

On October 30th, the Fall 2017 Jeanne Sauvé Forum Series on Social Connectedness and International Development continued with an event entitled, Re-Thinking Food: Rural and Urban, Local and Global. The Sauvé Series, created… view full article >>

October 18th was Global Dignity Day. Established in 2005 by HRH Crown Prince Haakon of Norway, Operation HOPE Founder John Hope Bryant and Professor Pekka Himanen, Global Dignity is linked… view full article >>

On October 1st, students in Professor Kim Samuel’s McGill University course were invited to Gallery Mile End along with alumni from the Social Connectedness Fellowship Program and representatives of TakingITGlobal to explore the power of art… view full article >>

On October 23rd, the Fall 2017 Jeanne Sauvé Forum Series on Social Connectedness and International Development continued with an event entitled, Truth and Reconciliation: Building Community from Indigenous Perspectives. The Sauvé Series, created… view full article >>

Today is the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. On this date 30 years ago, over a hundred thousand people gathered in Trocadéro, Paris — where the Universal Declaration of Human… view full article >>

On October 16th, the Fall 2017 Jeanne Sauvé Forum Series on Social Connectedness and International Development continued with an event entitled, Re-imagining the Public Square by Building for Belonging. The Sauvé Series, created… view full article >>

Written By: Elena David, Social Connectedness Fellow 2017 We live in a digital age, with technology integrated into nearly every aspect of our lives. We have apps that tell us… view full article >>

On October 2nd, the Fall 2017 Jeanne Sauvé Forum Series on Social Connectedness and International Development continued with an event entitled, Youth Leadership and Social Change Beyond Canada 150. The Sauvé… view full article >>

Written By: Jessica Farber & Celine Thomas – Research Analysts, Samuel Centre for Social Connectedness On September 28th, Human Rights Watch (HRW) researchers Emina Ćerimović and Eva Cossé recorded a Facebook… view full article >>

Jeanne Sauvé Forum Series on Social Connectedness and International Development continued with an event entitled, The Power of Traditional and New Media to Unite and Divide. The Sauvé Series, created by… view full article >>

Today marks the International Day of Older Persons. Established in 1990, this day brings awareness and understanding to the roles of older persons in their communities and societies at large.… view full article >>

During the 2016 Global Symposium on Overcoming Social Isolation and Deepening Social Connectedness, we had the opportunity to connect with many individuals including youth, Indigenous Elders, practitioners and other professionals who… view full article >>

Jeanne Sauvé Forum Series on Social Connectedness and International Development kicked off the fall 2017 season with an event entitled, Compounding Factors Within the Global Refugee Crisis. The Sauvé Series, created… view full article >>

On September 10th, visitors to Montreal’s Jewish Public Library had the opportunity to participate in a special learning experience. Rather than offering hardcovers and paperbacks, the library hosted 20 volunteers who offered… view full article >>

“On this International Migrants Day, I call on the international community to act on the global compact on safe, regular and orderly migration as an important contribution to building a… view full article >>

Written By: Anissia Klimova, Social Connectedness Fellow 2017 In recent years, gardening appears to have grown in popularity because, for many, its numerous proven benefits largely outweigh the costs. For… view full article >>

Written By: Eden Beschen, Social Connectedness Fellow 2017-2018 I should begin by saying that I do not have a disability. I don’t have to worry if facilities or activities will… view full article >>

Written By: Gal Kramer, Social Connectedness Fellow 2017 Many higher education institutions are going through a paradigm shift, from traditional lecture style instruction to student-centered learning. A leading initiative encouraging… view full article >>

Written by: Karina Alibhai, Social Connectedness Fellow 2017 G-rated movies are family-friendly and enjoyable for all ages. But what about our cities? According to the United Nations, the number of older… view full article >>

Written By: Fauziat Serunjogi, Social Connectedness Fellow Recently, I read an article in the New York Times, entitled The Chains of Mental Illness in West Africa, which discusses the common practice… view full article >>

Written By: Emma Harries, Social Connectedness Fellow 2017 A controversial experiment performed by Harry Harlow in the 1950s explored social isolation by separating baby monkeys from their mothers and placing… view full article >>

Written By: MJ Gauthier, Social Connectedness Fellow 2017 Today, an alarming portion of the world’s population struggles with mental health challenges. Services are overstretched, needs are unmet, and despair overwhelms.… view full article >>

Written By: Shelbie Huard, Social Connectedness Fellow 2017 It is widely understood that there are high demands associated with the medical profession. Recently, however, Canadian researchers have begun to expose… view full article >>

Written by: Midanna de Almada, Social Connectedness Fellow 2017 The state of fatherhood in Africa is in dire need of a transformation. Across the continent, an average of 50% of biological… view full article >>

Written By: Kim Boucher Morin, Social Connectedness Fellow 2017 Empowerment and community building are not generally the first associations people make with the word yoga, yet they are undeniable outcomes of… view full article >>

Written By: Gal Kramer, Social Connectedness Fellow 2017 Between 1951 and 2016, the percentage of Canadians over the age of 15 living alone increased from 1.8 to 13.9 percent, with… view full article >>

Written By: Ana Sofia Hibon, Social Connectedness Fellow 2017 As children, many of us re-enacted our favorite stories growing up and can recall fondly the fictional characters that every kid… view full article >>

Written By: Jedidah Nabwangu, Social Connectedness Fellow 2017 I think most would acknowledge the power that creative outlets have in the maintenance of our daily well-being. Whether it is the… view full article >>

“90 percent of [sexual assault accusations]…fall into the category of ‘we were both drunk,’ ‘we broke up, and six months later I found myself under a Title IX investigation because… view full article >>

Written By: Jeremy Monk, Social Connectedness Fellow 2017 On March 16, 2017, President Trump’s budget director, Mick Mulvaney, stated that there is no evidence that after-school extracurricular programs have been successful.… view full article >>

Written By: Celine Thomas, Research Analyst, Samuel Centre for Social Connectedness Wachiya means welcome in the James Bay dialect of the Cree language, a beautiful dialect continuum spoken by over 117,000 people across Canada. Never… view full article >>

Written By: Jessica Meirovici, Social Connectedness Fellow 2017 Summer is here and hundreds, if not thousands, of Montreal’s youth are at their favourite summer destination: camp! Today, there are many… view full article >>

Written By: Claire Chauvel, Social Connectedness Fellow 2017 Food insecurity has been defined by Health Canada as “the inability to acquire or consume an adequate diet quality or sufficient quantity of food in… view full article >>

BROOKINGS | In March 2017, Kim Samuel joined top thought leaders at a meeting convened by the Brookings Center for Universal Education to explore “meaningful education in times of uncertainty”.… view full article >>

Written By: Emma Harries, Social Connectedness Fellow 2017 Gender plays a vital role in determining mental health and illness, with women being more likely to suffer from common mental disorders… view full article >>

During the 2016 Global Symposium on Overcoming Social Isolation and Deepening Social Connectedness, we had the opportunity to connect with many individuals including youth, Indigenous Elders, practitioners and other professionals who… view full article >>

Written By: Eden Beschen, Social Connectedness Fellow 2017-2018 Last week I had the immense pleasure of traveling to Quebec City for Rendezvous 2017, a tall ship event celebrating the 150th anniversary… view full article >>

Written By: Laure Kimbimbi, Social Connectedness Fellow 2017 A few months ago, Jeffrey Gettleman wrote a piece in the New York Times about Duop, a former child soldier from South Sudan, who had… view full article >>

For almost two decades, between the late 1980s and late 2000s, Uganda’s northern region experienced a devastating civil war between the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) and government forces. The war… view full article >>

Written By: MJ Gauthier, Social Connectedness Fellow 2017 Despite ongoing technological progress and international development, environmental degradation remains ever constant around the world. And while movements for environmental and resource… view full article >>

During the 2016 Global Symposium on Overcoming Social Isolation and Deepening Social Connectedness, we had the opportunity to connect with many individuals including youth, Indigenous Elders, practitioners and other professionals who… view full article >>

Written By: Laura Hamdan, Social Connectedness Fellow 2017 On June 13th, 2017, Canada endorsed the Charter on Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities in Humanitarian Action (Charter) during the 10th Conference… view full article >>

For centuries, the mountains of Northern Thailand have served as both home and hiding place to refugees escaping the intermittent extermination campaigns of the Burmese government. In the 1500s, two… view full article >>

Written By: Shelbie Huard, Social Connectedness Fellow 2017 In arguably every industry, working from home, also known as telecommuting, has become a growing trend. This shift towards less conventional office… view full article >>

Written By: Jessica Meirovici, Social Connectedness Fellow 2017 In 1995, the Constitution of Uganda was modified to include the protection of the rights of people with disabilities, as well as the protection… view full article >>

Written by: Claire Chauvel, Social Connectedness Fellow 2017 The guiding rule of an enterprise is to add value. Yet, somewhere along the way, much of the world narrowed its pursuit… view full article >>

Written By: Ana Sofia Hibon, Social Connectedness Fellow 2017 In downtown Kigali, the capital of Rwanda, stands a tall building, scarred with gunshot holes and grenade wounds. This is not… view full article >>

Written By: Kim Boucher Morin, Social Connectedness Fellow 2017 When we think of child marriage, most of us picture a young bride in a distant under-developed land. Surely early or forced… view full article >>

Written By: Midanna de Almada, Social Connectedness Fellow 2017 The fourth Pathways to Resilience Conference, held in Cape Town, South Africa, introduced me to the concept of resilience as a research… view full article >>

Written By: Farah Msefer, Social Connectedness Fellow 2017 In Canada, the proportion of older people is increasing at a notable rate. This reflects the social, economic and medical progress representative… view full article >>

Written By: Emma Harries, Social Connectedness Fellow 2017 In May, I sat down with Dominic Richards, an architect and property developer who is challenging the status quo of built environments.… view full article >>

The 4th annual Spirit Walk took place in Montreal on June 17, 2017, raising over $18,000 to support the Native Women’s Shelter of Montreal in giving Indigenous women the chance to attend… view full article >>

According to a 2015 report from the International Organization of Migration, over half the world’s population lives in urban areas. This is in part because 60% of the world’s refugee population… view full article >>

Written By: Jedidah Nabwangu, Social Connectedness Fellow 2017 A couple of years ago, the editorial team at Guelph University’s student newspaper, The Ontarion, published an article addressing the stigma that insidiously surrounds the disciplines… view full article >>

Written By: Madeleine Andrew-Gee, Social Connectedness Fellow 2017 There is a young girl who lives in Kibera, the largest slum in Kenya. Her name is Eunice Akoth and she is from one… view full article >>

Written By: Gemma Maclean and Matthew Dodds Gemma Maclean first heard about the Special Olympics Play Unified program — which engages young people with and without intellectual disabilities in unified activities —… view full article >>

Written By: Jeremy Monk, Social Connectedness Fellow 2017 A 2016 Pew Research Center survey found that American local library usage continues to trend downwards. Only 44 percent of Americans reported visiting… view full article >>

Written By: Karina Alibhai, Social Connectedness Fellow 2017 It is well known that social variables can affect health. For example, recent studies have shown that loneliness and social isolation are… view full article >>

Written By: Celine Thomas, Social Connectedness Fellow 2017 Almost two-thirds of the world’s population will live in urban centres by 2030, and 95% of urban expansion in the next few… view full article >>

Global Symposium on Overcoming Social Isolation and Deepening Social Connectedness, we had the opportunity to connect with many individuals including youth, Indigenous Elders, practitioners and other professionals who shared their… view full article >>

Written By: Madeleine Andrew-Gee, Social Connectedness Fellow 2017 Social media has become a part of day-to-day life and a key tool of communication. Consider that 75 percent of all American… view full article >>

During the 2016 Global Symposium on Overcoming Social Isolation and Deepening Social Connectedness, we had the opportunity to connect with many individuals including youth, Indigenous Elders, practitioners and other professionals who… view full article >>

We were honoured to participate in this year’s Special Olympics Global Youth Leadership Summit during the 2017 World Winter Games in Graz, Austria. This gathering of 44 youth leaders and… view full article >>

This year, there has been a rash of acts of Islamophobia and anti-Semitism across Canada and the United States. Most notably in Canada was the January attack on a Quebec… view full article >>

By now, we have all learned that being social is good for us. We, as humans, are meant to be social, as American psychologist Abraham Maslow’s famous hierarchy of human… view full article >>

During the 2016 Global Symposium on Overcoming Social Isolation and Deepening Social Connectedness, we had the opportunity to connect with many individuals including youth, Indigenous Elders, practitioners and other professionals who… view full article >>

During the 2016 Global Symposium on Overcoming Social Isolation and Deepening Social Connectedness, we had the opportunity to connect with many individuals including youth, Indigenous Elders, practitioners and other professionals who… view full article >>

Teaching with Compassion: Holistic Approaches to Building Community in the University Classroom. The Forum Series, created by Professor Kim Samuel in collaboration with the Jeanne Sauvé Foundation, explores the root causes… view full article >>

On February 22nd, Prime Minister Trudeau announced that his government had assembled a working group of ministers to review all federal laws and policies as they relate to Indigenous communities.… view full article >>

Beyond Food Banks: Sustainability, Social Justice and Belonging in the Urban Environment. The Forum Series, created by Kim Samuel in collaboration with the Jeanne Sauvé Foundation, explores the root causes of… view full article >>

“We are gathered here today to unify as a global community and welcome every colour, every religion, every race, every economic condition, in the fellowship of sports for we are… view full article >>

Over the past decade in Canada, we have seen the first generation of children born prematurely and those affected by genetic disorders or trauma saved due to medical advancements. Now,… view full article >>

Jeanne Sauvé Foundation, explores the root causes of social isolation, along with strategies for building social connectedness through international policy and program development. It began last fall with weekly discussions… view full article >>

Today, we celebrate the United Nations’ International Day of Happiness! How important is it to be happy? It’s simple really: a multitude of research from around the world shows that happiness… view full article >>

This year’s International Day of Happiness, being celebrated today around the world, also marks the launch of the SDG Pyramid to Happiness! The SDG Pyramid is an initiative led by the United in Diversity… view full article >>

The students featured here were part of Professor Kim Samuel’s international development seminar entitled, Lessons of Community and Compassion: Overcoming Social Isolation and Building Social Connectedness Through Policy and Program… view full article >>

On February 21st, Canada became one of 59 countries to have endorsed the Safe Schools Declaration, expressing its political commitment to protect schools from attacks and military use in wartime.… view full article >>

On January 27, 2017, a man attacked the Islamic Cultural Center in Quebec City, killing six men and wounding 19 others. Since then, there have been numerous efforts to build a… view full article >>

Written By: Rachel Miletti, Law Student, McGill University “Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all.” – Aristotle Social isolation is a growing epidemic, particularly in schools and among youth.… view full article >>

Today, Kim Samuel joined an esteemed panel at the University of Oxford addressing the “Meaning and Politics of Loneliness”.  Kim’s presentation, entitled “A Poverty of Belonging: Why Advancing Global Development Depends… view full article >>

Written By: Rachel Miletti, Law Student, McGill University The global refugee crisis we are witnessing today is a present and unavoidable daily struggle for millions of people around the world… view full article >>

Written By: Rachel Miletti, Law Student, McGill University Today is World Day of Social Justice, a moment for us to celebrate and re-solidify our commitment to advancing equality and human rights… view full article >>

Jeanne Sauvé Foundation, explores the root causes of social isolation, along with strategies for building social connectedness through international policy and program development. It began last fall with weekly discussions… view full article >>

In South Africa, many children are living impoverished lives, in socially isolated situations – a direct result of the HIV/AIDS crisis and its associated socio-economic problems including lack of education… view full article >>

Among the most overlooked members of our societies that consistently experience social isolation are our elders. In California, 43% of seniors report feelings of loneliness on a regular basis. This may be… view full article >>

From the team at SocialConnectedness.org, we thank you for a wonderful year of understanding and action toward building more connected communities across the globe. In October we hosted our second Global… view full article >>

Today, on December 10th, the world comes together to celebrate Human Rights Day, which commemorates the day the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. On this day,… view full article >>

“Let us work together for the full and equal participation of persons with disabilities in an inclusive and sustainable world that embraces humanity in all its diversity.” – Secretary-General Ban… view full article >>

Violence against women occurs in every society and every country; it is globally pervasive and deeply troubling. Most of the violence is “perpetrated by intimate partners,” and in the past 12 months,… view full article >>

The United Nations has set November 16 as the International Day for Tolerance. The idea behind the UN-mandated day is to strengthen tolerance around the globe through initiatives and discussions that foster… view full article >>

Imagine, you are walking down a familiar street and are stopped by a friendly face inviting you to partake in a 3 course meal with a stranger. You ask, “What’s… view full article >>

“The first step to a warmer, more inclusive community can begin with lunch.” – Natalie Hampton, Founder of Sit With Us As was explored in a recent article, Put Down That… view full article >>

Senior citizens (aged 65+) are the fastest-growing demographic in the country. For the first time, more Canadians are over the age of 65 than under the age of 15. In Ontario alone,… view full article >>

If we think we can all agree that we need a better world, a more just world, why is it that we are not using the one language that has… view full article >>

“Cities are increasingly the home of humanity. They are central to climate action, global prosperity, peace and human rights.” — UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon When most people consider the date… view full article >>

Today marks the opening day of the second Global Symposium on Overcoming Social Isolation and Deepening Social Connectedness in Montréal, Canada. The 2016 Symposium is being hosted by the Institute… view full article >>

Last week, over a hundred leading thinkers, activists and community leaders from over 23 countries gathered in Montreal to develop a shared perspective on the importance of social connectedness in… view full article >>

October 17th marks the United Nations-sanctioned International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. The focus of this day is to honour the victims of extreme poverty, violence and hunger around the globe.… view full article >>

“Global Dignity is about taking action and building the many faces of dignity into our lives so we can all contribute to building a healthier, happier world together. Dignity is… view full article >>

Today is the International Day of the Girl, celebrating the world’s 1.1 billion girls who are part of a large and vibrant global generation poised to take on the future.… view full article >>

October 1st marked the International Day of Older Persons. Senior citizens (aged 65+) are the fastest-growing demographic in many countries around the world, and for the first time ever, more Canadians are over… view full article >>

“I am only human and what’s insides the same we come from different places and speak in different ways but we are only human and what’s inside’s the same together we are… view full article >>

The International Day of Peace marks our connected global efforts to build a culture of peace and non-violence. This year, the focus of the commemorative day is on The Global… view full article >>

“Every child who lives, unfortunately, in conflict areas loses their childhood” – Ziauddin Yousafzai, UN Special Advisor on Global Education and Malala Yousafzai’s Father September 21st marks International Day of Peace, a… view full article >>

In small and remote mountain villages in the Mexican state of Chiapas, Community Health Workers (CHW), referred to here as acompañantes, regularly visit their chronically ill neighbours to provide both medical and… view full article >>