Feminist City 5.0: Cities as Safe Havens

Co-Hosts: The Institute for Gender and the Economy (GATE) and
University of Toronto’s School of Cities

Join the School of Cities and the Institute for Gender and the Economy (GATE) for Feminist City 5.0: Cities as Safe Havens. 
Together, we will explore how to redesign urban environments and institutions to ensure equitable and sustainable access to safety and housing for members of our most vulnerable populations. 
Ensuring that urban environments are safe and inclusive not only promotes equity, but also enhances the overall quality of life for all residents. Safe neighbourhoods and secure and affordable housing empower vulnerable populations to participate fully in community life, access essential services, and enjoy social and economic opportunities. 
How can cities respond to the gender-based violence epidemic? How can we meet the growing demands for accessible urban environments for an aging population? 
Answering these questions is relevant to businesses, policymakers, civic organizations, developers, planners, and citizens—we all stand to benefit when we create vibrant and flourishing cities.
Join us on Dec. 3 as our expert panel presents actionable insights for achieving the vision of cities as safe havens.

Ramona Alaggia, Professor and Acting Associate Dean Research, Margaret & Wallace McCain Family Chair in Child & Family, Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto
Nelly Dennene, President, The Conseil des Montréalaises
Jennifer Gordon, Manager, Research and Advocacy, YWCA Cambridge
Dr. Sylvia Maracle (Skonaganleh:ra), Chair and Developmental Co-Founder, Original People’s Learning Centre
Moderator: Mitzie Hunter, President & CEO, Canadian Women’s Foundation

Dr. Ramona Alaggia is a Professor at the Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work at the University of Toronto and currently holds the Margaret and Wallace McCain Chair in Child and Family. She is also the Director of the ThRIve Incubator Lab at the University of Toronto. Dr. Alaggia’s overarching area of work is in trauma and resilience across the life course. Her research focuses on gender-based violence; child sexual abuse disclosures and mental health effects; intimate partner violence and structural barriers; and promoting ways to foster resilience with trauma survivors. Results of her studies aid in mitigating the long-term effects of trauma, violence and abuse on children, youth and families. Her work is targeted on large systems transformation to better provide for people's complex circumstances and unique service needs. In particular, she is examining multi-disciplinary team models in providing integrated, equitable, trauma informed and just services.

Nelly Dennene is the president of The Conseil des Montréalaises, a consultative body of the municipal government on matters relating to gender equality. She is the co-director and founder of Maison turquoise & soeurs, a social enterprise that provides legal services, support and training to organizations involved in defending collective rights. This expert in Gender-based Analysis Plus (GBA+) has also been a political organizer with the Réseau des tables régionales de groupes de femmes du Québec and the executive director of the Regroupement féministe du Nouveau Brunswick. Her involvement in a variety of equality-focused projects and her concern for community empowerment led her, for instance, to participate in drafting the Université de Moncton’s very first policy on sexual violence. She is committed to social justice and is active in the fight for a safe, inclusive city that values the diversity of its citizens.

Jennifer Gordon is an award winning community builder, researcher, gender-equity advocate and relentless systems fixer. Through her consulting practice, Pineapple Flags, Jennifer works with nonprofits, government and grassroots groups to build intersectional gender-equity in our communities and within our systems. A constant advocate, her current hyper focus for creating change builds off of her research, Project Willow, which highlights the complexity of community members’ layered experience at the intersection of homelessness and GBV.

Dr. Sylvia Maracle (Skonaganleh:ra) Among her many achievements, Dr. Maracle served as Executive Director of the Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres (42 years), Legal Aid Ontario Founding Board Member (7 years), Canadian Centre for Addictions and Mental Health Board Member (3 years), Ontario Aboriginal Housing Services Founding Chair (25 years), Ontario Healing and Wellness Strategy Found Chair (20+ years), National Association of Indigenous Friendship Centres Executive Member (4 years), Native Child and Family Services President (10 years) and Native Women’s Resource Centre President (10 years).

She is currently appointed to the National Housing Council and chairs the National Committee of 2SLGBTQQIA+ People in response to the MMIWG National Action Plan.

Dr. Maracle also works in United Nations activities, World Urban Forums, and resource exchanges as a facilitator, trainer, speaker and Indigenous knowledge transfer.

Mitzie Hunter is a dynamic, community-grounded leader and President and CEO of the Canadian Women’s Foundation. Her 30 years of leadership spans the nonprofit sector, private sector, and government. Mitzie has a trailblazing track record and many successes championing infrastructure and community improvements. She was the first Black woman to serve as Ontario’s Minister of Education. She also served as Ontario’s Minister of Advanced Education and Skills Development and Associate Minister of Finance.
Mitzie is a respected advocate for diverse women, girls, and Two Spirit, trans, and nonbinary people across Canada. She is known for her expertise in an array of issues, from women’s leadership to inclusive economies to sustainable neighbourhood and city building.
Mitzie is a founding visionary of the Prosperity Project. She served as Chief Administrative Officer of Toronto Community Housing Corporation, CEO of CivicAction, Vice President of External Relations and Corporate Secretary at Goodwill Industries, and President of SMART Toronto, a technology hub. She is a Senior Fellow with the C.D. Howe Institute and a Canadian Urban Leader at the University of Toronto’s School of Cities. Mitzie has also served in several board leadership positions in nonprofit, private sector and public service bodies, including United Way Greater Toronto and TVO. In 2023, Mitzie ran for mayor in the City of Toronto by-election.

This event is available to attend in-person.

Rotman Events is committed to accessibility for all people. If you have any access needs or if there are any ways we can support your full participation in this session, please email [email protected] no later than 2 weeks in advance of the event and we will be glad to work with you to make the appropriate arrangements.

• The event will be hosted in Desautels Hall at the Rotman School of Management (105 St. George St., Toronto, ON M5S 3E6).

Questions: Megan Murphy - [email protected]

Host or Publisher Rotman Events