What can Social Infrastructure do?

Social Infrastructure can enable us to create meaningful interactions between different communities, different neighbourhoods, different groups, and different generations. It can encourage those sitting on the sidelines to participate in civic life.

If we can build enough bridges, we can increase understanding of those around us, we can increase trust, and we can increase a sense of belonging and safety beyond our typical boundaries. We can be a community capable of coming together to accomplish big things – important things.

That’s the power of social infrastructure.

Why do we need Social Infrastructure?

Waterloo Region’s population is growing rapidly both in numbers and in diversity, and that holds potential but also possible peril. Our growth can be a source of unique perspectives, fresh ideas, and new experiences. It also could cause disruption, confusion, and a loss of shared identity. We must be deliberate that we don’t exclude people, neighbourhoods, or communities from the conversations and opportunities ahead.

As our larger society faces trends towards more polarization, isolation, and loneliness, Waterloo Region can instead realize our collective potential by growing into the place where everyone is valued, feels they belong, and can be a part of helping to create something bigger.

How does Social Infrastructure Work?

Social Infrastructure carries the following traits:

Connection – Build a sense of belonging. Feeling connected to something or someone is fundamental to the human spirit. It allows us to step out of our assumptions and prejudices and feel the joy of open-ended possibility and purpose.  

Collaboration – Together, we can do more. Interaction with others – other organizations, other people, other communities – should reinforce our ability to work together to achieve outcomes we couldn’t reach alone.

Purposeful – We come together for a reason. Our communities benefit when we act with intention, embracing a clarity of goals aligned with our community’s shared values and aspirations.

Agency – We each choose how we participate. Individuals should dictate the role they want to play or how they interpret a piece of art. Choices create engagement and power.

Openness, Safety, and Accessibility – All are welcome. People must feel comfortable to openly be themselves and interact. Barriers like buying a ticket, transportation, or a lack of accommodation for people living with disabilities should be removed so communities have a better chance at defining what brings them together and how to support each other.

Chance – Allow for moments of surprise. We often need a jolt of the unexpected to discover new opportunities we didn’t know we were looking for. Joy can come from meeting someone new, stumbling upon an unexpected event in the neighbourhood, learning a new skill, or just getting a welcomed break from the day-to-day.

Reweaving Our Social Fabric

September 2024 - WRCF’s President & CEO, Eric Avner, welcomed guests to Catalyst137 for an event linked to social infrastructure. Below, you will find a recording of the Keynote presentation followed by a panel discussion, as well as a recording of a spoken word performance by Donnique Williams.

1,300 people, 54 discussions – LOTS of connections and conversations happened at the 2024 On the Table led by WRCF

The Intersection of Places and People

August 2024 - WRCF's President & CEO, Eric Avner, shares his thoughts on the important linkage between organizations, spaces and experiences when building and growing social infrastructure. He also highlights intentional community-building and the need for people that step forward to organize events, make trusted connections, and play a large part in creating a vibrant social fabric. 

An Infrastructure to Build Community

February 2024 - WRCF's President & CEO, Eric Avner, shares some information about our new focus on social infrastructure - the bridges necessary to build trust and civic participation, to create a sense of belonging and wellbeing.