Urban Work Summit Toronto | May 2024

Overview

What?

A summit on the future of work in Canadian cities, designed and delivered by young workers, powered by the 2023 Urban Work Index.

Where?

Centre for Social Innovation Spadina – 192 Spadina Ave., Toronto, ON M5T 2C2

When?

May 1st and 2nd, 2024

Who?

60 Youth delegates residing in the city of Toronto

Why?

Youth are the centre of New Work, yet they’re rarely given the keys to unlock and drive the future of work, especially in cities. This summit brings together Cities and Youth to navigate the future of work in a post-pandemic environment and create a localized and youth-centered action plan.

Photo Gallery

Pre-Summit:

• Prior to the summit, delegates participated in preparatory activities tailored to their interests, including mini work resource sessions. These sessions are designed to equip delegates with the necessary skills for workforce entry and facilitate networking opportunities amongst attendees ahead of the Summit.

Summit Day 1: EXPLORE

A: Where we are AT?  / B: Where do we want to BE?

• The day started with external expert “provocateurs” to stimulate the conversation.
• Delegates analyzed data analytics and insights to reflect on the current state of work.
• Delegates constructed future scenarios on the trajectory of urban work over the next 10 years.
• We reviewed the existing data and knowledge to explore what the delegates believe to be the challenges, stresses, and shocks.
• This culminated in a creative and interactive way where we started mapping out several possible scenarios for the future work in cities.

Summit Day 2: CREATE

C: What can we CREATE? / D: How do we DELIVER? 

• This is where delegates turned their ideas into actionable programs and policy recommendations to help cities prepare for and excel at the future of work.
• Delegates explored the potential of innovation, by digging deeper into possible ideas and actions.
• Delegates looked at making cities attractive for workers and employers specific to the urban context.

Summit pitch night – Thursday May 16, 2024

• The delegates refined their new concepts in teams leading up to a pitch competition in front of expert judges.
• Delegates interested in moving forward with ideas gathered at the end of May with local Toronto guests to pitch their ideas with the potential of winning microgrants to help get the winning pitches off the ground.
• Winners were be supported through an 6-week program to develop their ideas into pilots.