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ABCD International Gathering


Join us in July to discuss the future of ABCD. In the current state of the world, we need ABCD now more than ever. Help us recognize our past, while looking ahead to how we support communities going forward.



Banner from 2015 Global Gathering

Small group at Goa world conference

A group at the Goa conference in a breakout

July 29-30: Virtual Gathering for International Practitioners.

Practitioners across the world will come together in community to actively participate in dialogue around ABCD virtually hosted by three teams. 

If you have not joined our network, please do so here as a first step to capture your information and to create a profile. Our network platform provides multiple ways for participants to engage with each other as part of the gathering. A sliding scale for membership is available and fees are waived for many practitioners including all of those in the Global South.

International Practitioners- Register Here




Tentative Agenda


Session 1 hosted by Australian Team:

This opening session will focus on discovering and celebrating the gifts, talents, and capacities that individuals and communities already possess. Participants will explore how shifting from needs-based to strengths-based conversations lays the foundation for powerful community building. Join us to uncover and name what’s strong, not what’s wrong.


Session 2 hosted by UK Team:

Associations and community groups are the heartbeat of community life. This session dives into how these hyper-local, informal networks foster belonging, resilience, and collective action. Through real-world stories and deep dialogue, we’ll explore how to recognize, nurture, and collaborate with these vital, often unseen, community connectors.


Session 3, hosted by Canada Team: 

How can institutions truly support, not service, communities? This provocative session will examine the mindset shifts and practices needed for organizations to flip the script and become enablers of local action. From power dynamics to new ways of showing up, we’ll explore what it takes for systems to walk alongside community, not ahead of it.



We are seeking feedback as we continue to co-create our agenda. As part of registration, you will be asked which topics below would you be most interested in discussing or sharing with others?

Strengthening community leadership
Co-production and power-sharing
Trauma-informed community development
Measuring impact and storytelling
Policy and advocacy for community-led change
Funding and sustainability for ABCD initiatives


Dates and Time Zone Information

 


Toronto (EDT)

UTC -4

London (BST)

UTC +1

Sydney (AST)

UTC +10

Session 1

6:30 pm-8 pm Tuesday, July 29

11:30 pm-1 am

Wednesday, July 30

8:30 am- 10 am

Wednesday, July 30

Session 2

7 am- 8:30 AM

Wednesday, July 30

12-1:30 PM

Wednesday, July 30

9-10:30 PM

Wednesday, July 30

Session 3

8:30-10 AM

Wednesday, July 30

2:00 PM- 3:30 PM

Wednesday, July 30

11:00 AM- 12:30 PM

Wednesday, July 30