The New Green Deal (US) and creating one of our own (Canada) | Are we ready to change what needs to change most in order to shift our planet's trajectory within the next decade? Do we even know what that looks like? If we don't, can we do the creative work of dreaming up that future? Do we have a game-plan? Are we in a position of influence to move that plan into action?

Upcoming federal election | The 2019 Canadian Federal Election is scheduled to take place on October 21, 2019, not even a month after our conference. Interesting timing. Are we engaged in the process? Will we vote? Who are the leaders ready to lead our country forward throughout the next four years? How do we intend to help move them forward?

Hottest summer on record | It is predicted that we will experience the hottest year in human history. If 'climate change is the symptom, not the problem', then what is the problem? Can we articulate it? Do we have a game-plan to change the problem at its ROOT within a 10-year timeline? What does that look like?

World Strike Day | Swedish climate activist and role model for worldwide student activism, Greta Thunberg says, "There is no greater way to capture the attention of the public, and the powers that be, than a general labour strike." A global general strike has been announced for Friday, September 27, the final day of our Accelerator. Again, interesting timing.

Youth Leaders are taking action |  Whether its Greta Thunberg (above), the Extinction Rebellion in London, or teen chief water commissioner in Northeastern Ontario for the protection of the Great Lakes, Autumn Peltier, there's no doubt about it: Youth leaders are taking action! How are we supporting these emerging leaders and encouraging others to do the same? What do they need from us? What do they require access to, to create their world-class impact?

Women Leaders + Gender Equality |  For all of the 'noise' around this topic over the past number of years, the action + traction aren't lining up. We appear to be sliding back a couple of steps for everyone we take forward. In order to get where we need to go over the next decade, every leader needs to be seen, heard, valued and respected. It's no longer a gender issue, it's a survival issue.

Growing Business and a Stable Economy |  In March 2019, Statistics Canada released results from the 2017 Canadian Income Survey, which revealed that the Poverty Reduction Strategy’s interim target of reducing poverty by 20 per cent by 2020 had already been reached—a full three years ahead of schedule. By meeting this target, Canada has reached its lowest poverty rate in history. That is great news! As we build our stability as entrepreneurs, business owners and professionals, we influence the stability in the families of our communities, stress lowers and lives improve. However, our focus on business growth cannot be isolated but rather explored as a vital part of a much larger conversation. How do we fully leverage who we are as business leaders to affect the type of change needed most in our nation and across international borders?

Health & Wellness |  In a country fairly fixated on working out, ideal weight and 'perfect' appearance, our quest for personal happiness, fulfilment and contentment continue to fall short. According to University of Toronto researchers, the total number of prescriptions for antidepressants in Canada jumped to 14.5 million a year from 3.2 million analyzed prescription habits between 1981 and 2000. This 353-per-cent increase occurred while the Canadian population increased 1 per cent annually. The total amount of money spent yearly on antidepressant drugs grew to $543.4-million in 2000 from $31.4-million in 1981.* Where do we need to get to, to create whole, happy and healthy leaders, families and communities?

✅ Powerful Policy Guides Our Decision-Making |  The following are a few of the policies enacted in the past few years:

• Canada’s 2016 commitment at the United Nations to the UN Declaration of Indigenous Peoples.
• Budget 2018’s Gender Results Framework
• “Feminist International Assistance Policy In 2017, Canada launched the Feminist International Assistance Policy, which refocuses Canada’s development, humanitarian, and peace and security assistance on helping the poorest and most vulnerable and supporting fragile states. The policy seeks to eradicate poverty and build a more peaceful, more inclusive and more prosperous world. The Government of Canada firmly believes that promoting gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls is the most effective approach to achieving this goal. That is why Canada will ensure that 95% of its bilateral international development assistance will advance gender equality by 2021-2022.”
• Canada’s response to Syrian refugees - Syrian Refugee Resettlement Initiative – Looking to the Future. In response to the Syrian refugee crisis, Canada resettled more than 40,000 Syrian refugees. This effort was an exceptional and time-limited situation which required additional resources as well as special measures which were temporarily put in place.

How's that for context?

The September Accelerator will attract and convene a diverse cross-section of 250 Indigenous and non-Indigenous leaders over three days to engage in disruptive dialogue for a specific purpose.

At the end of the day, the question we will be looking to answer is: