Transforming Birthspace: A Global Colloquium
Schedule
Fri, 24 Oct, 2025 at 04:00 pm to Tue, 28 Oct, 2025 at 12:00 pm
UTC-04:00Location
OCADU Waterfront Conference Centre | Toronto, ON
About this Event
Transforming Birthspaces: A Global Colloquium is a transdisciplinary gathering of invited guest speakers who have diverse areas of expertise that offer unique insights into important considerations for birth environment architecture and design.
The conference is part of a global movement considering the overtly medicalized nature of birth spaces worldwide. Through research and knowledge mobilization we're considering how to create more awareness of the problems inherent in the present models of birth care, birth centre and maternity unit design.
Join us at the OCADU Waterfront Conference Centre and the Open Space Gallery 49 McCaul Street for an event filled with international speakers, transdisciplinary discussions, and a world of research focused on the value of the birth environment itself during this meaningful life moment.
Whether you're a healthcare professional, researcher, architect, designer, obgyn, midwife, policy maker or birth advocate, please join us to learn more about the project, share your insights, and envision a transformative way forward for better birth environment design.
More event information is available at www.transformingbirthspace.com
OCTOBER 24
🕑: 04:00 PM
Exhibition Opens
Info: PLEASE NOTE: All activities on October 24th will be held at OCAD University's Open Space Gallery at 49 McCaul Street Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
🕑: 05:00 PM - 07:00 PM
Colloquium Registration/Check In
Info: PLEASE NOTE: All activities on October 24th will be held at OCAD University's Open Space Gallery at 49 McCaul Street Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
🕑: 05:30 PM - 07:30 PM
Welcome Reception and Website Launch Event
Info: PLEASE NOTE: All activities on October 24th will be held at OCAD University's Open Space Gallery at 49 McCaul Street Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
OCTOBER 25
🕑: 09:00 AM - 09:30 AM
Breakfast
🕑: 09:30 AM - 01:00 PM
Session 1
Info: Keynote: Saraswathi Vedam.
Guest Speakers: Elizabeth Newnham, Rachel Olson, Lateef Ademola Lawal, Devi Soman
🕑: 01:00 PM - 02:00 PM
Lunch + Discussion Groups
🕑: 02:00 PM - 05:00 PM
Session 2
Info: Guest Speakers: Esben Bala Skouboe, Mayra Flores, Martina Hynan, Melanie Briggs
OCTOBER 26
🕑: 09:00 AM - 09:30 AM
Breakfast
🕑: 09:30 AM - 01:00 PM
Session 3
Info: Keynote: Marta Parra Casado.
Guest Speakers: Maralyn Foureur, Moshe Szyf, J. Davis Harte, Orli Dahan
🕑: 01:00 PM - 02:30 PM
Lunch + Discussion Groups
🕑: 02:30 PM - 05:00 PM
Session 4
Info: Guest Speakers: James Olcese, Doreen Balabanoff, Carolina Espinoza Sanhueza, Alessia Macchi
OCTOBER 27
🕑: 09:00 AM - 09:30 AM
Breakfast
🕑: 09:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Session 5
Info: Guest Speakers: Nicoletta Setola, Deb Polzin-Rosenberg, Anka Duer, Grace McLean
🕑: 12:30 PM - 02:30 PM
Lunch + Discussion
🕑: 02:30 PM - 05:00 PM
Session 6
Info: Outcomes Workshop / Closing Remarks
OCTOBER 28
🕑: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Morning Planning Meeting
Info: Discuss future of GBEDN.org and future collaborations
Where is it happening?
OCADU Waterfront Conference Centre, 130 Queens Quay E Tower, Floor 4R, Toronto, CanadaEvent Location & Nearby Stays:
CAD 0.00 to CAD 161.08
