The Social Commons: Transformational Thinking on Social Solidarity for the 21st Century

Public Lecture and Panel Discussion

Time: Doors open at 6:30 p.m., program runs from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.

Date: Thursday, November 14, 2019

Location: Nancy’s Auditorium, YWCA, 87 Elm Street, Toronto, ON M5G 0A8

Cost: Free, but space is limited and registration is required.



Headshot of Dr. Francine Mestrum, the lecture's keynote speaker.

Keynote Speaker: Dr. Francine Mestrum, International researcher, social development activist and coordinator of Global Social Justice Network, working out of Brussels and Mexico City.


Panel Discussants:

Dr. Kofi Hope, Senior Policy Advisory, Wellesely Institute and former Executive Director of the Centre for Young Black Professionals.


Alexandra Bravo

Ms. Alejandra Bravo, Director of Leadership and Training, Broadbent Institute and former Director of Community Engagement, Maytree Foundation.


Joe Mihevc

Joe Mihevc, former Toronto city councillor.


Program Agenda:

6:30 p.m.               Doors Open

7:00 p.m.               Welcome and Introduction

  • Peter Clutterbuck, Marvyn Novick Legacy Planning Group

7:10 p.m.               Some Introductory Thoughts on the Social Commons in a Canadian Context

  • Dr. Sid Frankel, Associate Professor on Faculty of Social Work, University of Manitoba and colleague of the late Marvyn Novick on CAMPAIGN 2000

7:30 p.m.                 Keynote: From Poverty Reduction to Social Protection and Social Commons

  • Dr. Francine Mestrum, Coordinator of Global Social Justice Network working out of Brussels and Mexico City

8:15 p.m.                  Panel in discussion with Dr. Mestrum

  • Panelists: Dr. Kofi Hope, Ms. Alejandra Bravo and Mr. Dave Meslin.

9:00 p.m.                  Thanks from the Marvyn Novick Legacy Planning Group

  • Christa Freiler, Marvyn Novick Legacy Planning Group