{"id":5735,"date":"2025-05-27T17:07:27","date_gmt":"2025-05-27T20:07:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ponddeshpande.ca\/?page_id=5735"},"modified":"2025-05-30T09:46:07","modified_gmt":"2025-05-30T12:46:07","slug":"social-innovation-in-action-on-the-east-coast","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/ponddeshpande.ca\/fr\/blog\/social-innovation-in-action-on-the-east-coast\/","title":{"rendered":"Social Innovation in Action on the East Coast"},"content":{"rendered":"

Shaping a Just Economy: Social Innovation in Action on the East Coast<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

The world feels increasingly complex. <\/span>We\u2019re<\/span> navigating deep economic shifts, artificial intelligence is transforming work faster than <\/span>anticipated<\/span>, polarization is on the rise, <\/span>climate change <\/span>remains<\/span> a threat, <\/span>and our foundational systems are in desperate need of reimagination. Believing in a better way is the only <\/span>path<\/span> forward.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>We are incredibly grateful to these dedicated professionals for carving out time outside of their day-to-day work to take on this challenge and drive meaningful change.<\/p>\n

At the <\/span>Pond-Deshpande Centre (PDC) at the University of New Brunswick (UNB)<\/span><\/a>, we are dedicated to shaping a future where collaboration, innovation, and systems change drive positive outcomes for communities, businesses, and individuals. We understand that complexity can be challenging to navigate, which is why we specialize in helping people and organizations thrive in it.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As proud East Coasters, we love a good ocean metaphor to represent our missions. Located at UNB, we\u2019re inspired by the symbolism of freedom, adventure, and the ability to adjust to changing winds depicted by our sail. At PDC, we’ve symbolized our mission as a lighthouse, depicting our commitment to act as beacons of light within complex systems. We\u2019re uniquely equipped to respond to shifting winds and guide others toward clarity and impact in a constantly changing worldOur approach is rooted in understanding and addressing the complex challenges of today\u2019s world\u2014particularly in <\/span><\/span>inclusive workforce development<\/span><\/span>, <\/span><\/span>healthy communities<\/span><\/span>, and <\/span><\/span>civic innovation<\/span><\/span>, which are essential building blocks of a <\/span><\/span>just economy<\/span><\/span>. By focusing on these interconnected issues, we aim to drive systemic change that creates <\/span>equitable<\/span> opportunities and lasting, positive outcomes for individuals, businesses, and communities. We achieve this by deeply exploring the systemic challenges at hand, bringing together key stakeholders, centering the voices of those most affected by the issue, and then mobilizing the ideas that <\/span>emerge<\/span> from these discussions.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

\"Shaun<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Our Strategic Approach: Building Blocks for a Just Economy<\/i><\/span><\/strong><\/h4>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

To effectively tackle systemic challenges, we\u2019ve developed a strategic framework that emphasizes <\/span>cross-sector collaboration<\/span><\/b> et <\/span>systemic change<\/span><\/b>. At the core of this is the idea that a <\/span>just and resilient economy<\/span><\/b> doesn\u2019t emerge from isolated efforts but from the collective work of <\/span>innovative stakeholders<\/span><\/b> across sectors, communities, and industries.<\/span><\/p>\n

Here\u2019s how we see the foundational elements of building a just economy:<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

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1. Healthy Communities<\/span><\/b><\/h5>\n

Healthy communities are the foundation for everything we do. They provide the social, economic, and physical well-being necessary for individuals to thrive. By fostering supportive systems\u2014whether through access to healthcare, housing, or services\u2014we lay the groundwork for broader societal transformation. Currently, we\u2019re facilitating a <\/span>rapid innovation challenge<\/span><\/b> focused on improving <\/span>cardiovascular<\/span><\/b> et <\/span>diabetes care<\/span><\/b> in New Brunswick<\/span><\/a>, in partnership with <\/span>McKenna Institute<\/span><\/b>, <\/span>NB-IRDT<\/span><\/b>, and <\/span>Research NB<\/span><\/b>. Additionally, we are completing another <\/span>challenge centered on <\/span>housing<\/span><\/b> et <\/span>healthcare resilience<\/span><\/b> in <\/span>Moncton<\/span><\/b><\/a>, aimed at strengthening community systems for long-term sustainability.<\/span><\/p>\n

(Participants in our Pathways to Equitable Health Rapid Innovation Challenge, March 2025)<\/span><\/span> <\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

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2. Civic Innovation<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/b><\/h5>\n

Next, we focus on <\/span><\/span>civic innovation<\/span><\/span>, which plays a critical role in improving governance, rebuilding public trust, and ensuring accountability. By engaging communities and organizations in co-creating solutions, we tackle the social and political challenges of our time, laying the groundwork for long-term, systemic change. <\/span>Annually, w<\/span>e host <\/span><\/span>GovMaker<\/span><\/span><\/a>, Atlantic Canada\u2019s premier event dedicated to advancing <\/span><\/span>evidence-based policymaking<\/span><\/span>, enhancing <\/span><\/span>government transparency<\/span><\/span>, driving <\/span><\/span>digital transformation<\/span><\/span>, and promoting <\/span><\/span>diversity<\/span><\/span> et <\/span><\/span>inter-sectoral collaboration<\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

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3. Inclusive Workforce Development<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/b><\/h5>\n

The next step is <\/span><\/span>inclusive workforce development<\/span><\/span>, which empowers historically marginalized individuals and groups to access job opportunities, skills training, and career pathways. By investing in an inclusive workforce, we create new economic opportunities for those traditionally excluded from systems, <\/span>ultimately fostering<\/span> more resilient and sustainable economic growth. Our work spans key areas such as <\/span><\/span>economic immigration<\/span><\/span>, <\/span><\/span>early childhood education<\/span><\/span>, and <\/span><\/span>immigration pathways<\/span><\/span> into the construction workforce<\/span><\/span><\/a>, helping to bridge gaps and build a more inclusive economy.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

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4. Just & Resilient Economy<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/b><\/h5>\n

At the pinnacle of this pyramid lies the vision of a <\/span>just and resilient economy<\/span><\/b>\u2014where all efforts converge. It\u2019s where <\/span>healthy communities<\/span><\/b>, <\/span>inclusive workforces<\/span><\/b>, and <\/span>innovative governance systems<\/span><\/b> come together to create an economy that values <\/span>equity<\/span><\/b>, <\/span>resilience<\/span><\/b>, and <\/span>sustainability<\/span><\/b> for all. This vision drives everything we do at PDC. Our initiatives include helping <\/span>women access venture capital<\/span><\/b><\/a>, <\/span>accelerating the social enterprise ecosystem<\/span><\/b> in New Brunswick<\/span><\/a>, and supporting <\/span>SMEs in greening their businesses<\/span><\/b><\/a> to build a more sustainable and inclusive economy.<\/span><\/p>\n

(Convening key stakeholders in greening NB SMEs) <\/i>
\n<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

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What’s next?<\/h3><\/div>

Over the next few weeks, we\u2019ll be attending several convenings to continue our discussions on social innovation. We\u2019ll be in Halifax for Illuminate by the Community Foundation of Canada, then we\u2019ll be at the Canadian Forum for Social Innovation<\/span>, followed by the Atlantic Venture Forum<\/span>. Following that, we\u2019ll join our colleagues at UNB for the Digital Innovation Summit<\/span> in St. Andrew\u2019s, NB. Like many of you, we\u2019ll take some time to pause over the summer to strengthen our foundation, then jump into the fall with the launch of Green Horizons<\/span>\u2019 concept phase (more details to come) and GovMaker<\/span>, taking place November 24-26, 2025, in Fredericton, NB, with some exciting announcements on the horizon.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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Get involved! Contact our team today and learn more about how we can work together.<\/span><\/span><\/h4>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
Contact our team<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":2603,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-5735","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"yoast_head":"\nSocial Innovation in Action on the East Coast - The Pond-Deshpande Centre<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"At the Pond-Deshpande Centre (PDC) at the University of New Brunswick (UNB), we are dedicated to shaping a future where collaboration, innovation, and systems change drive positive outcomes for communities, businesses, and individuals. 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