CONVERGE: EXCHANGE seeks to engage activist practitioners in communities within and outside Chicago in a conversation about innovative strategies applied and experiences gained in local economies, built environments, and beyond. A wide network of interested and engaged parties including community members, students and design professionals are invited to attend the event. Participants will share experiences, document practice and engage in lively and informative discussion.

This two-day event begins on Wednesday, March 18, commencing with an exciting and timely presentation by Bryan Bell (Founder and Executive Director, Design Corps), Katie Swenson (Director, Frederick P. Rose Architectural Fellowship) and John Cary (Executive Director, Public Architecture). The presentation will showcase projects from other parts of the country that can serve as case studies for Chicago and is titled: Coming to the Table: Expanding Architecture & Fostering Partnerships. The lecture is free and open to the public, students and young professionals are especially encouraged to attend, and will occur at the Chicago Architecture Foundation.

Events of Thursday, March 19th will be hosted at the Egan Urban Center at DePaul University’s Student Center.

Featured events of the day will include:

A morning panel discussion, focusing on community organizations and individuals who are engaged in innovative grassroots efforts in Chicago. There will be 3 concurrent panels, centered on food access and food justice, and the related subjects of sustainability, green jobs, health and quality of life. The panels are free and open to any group or community organization that is interested in participating.

A networking lunch, with informal presentations by Architects/Designers/Planners for Social Responsibility (ADPSR), Black Oaks Sustainable Center, Archetreasures and other local community organizations. The event is free and open to the public. Attendees are requested to either brown bag, or purchase from a selected number of items that will be made available.

Afternoon round table discussions to share knowledge and resources on the following areas of focus:
Community participation; led by Joyce Fernandes (Archi-treasures) and Bryan Bell (Design Corps)
Professional involvement; led by John Cary (Public Architecture), and (to be confirmed)
Building partnerships; led by Martin Felsen (Archeworks) and Katie Swenson (Rose Architectural Fellowship)
Each round table will be hosted by a local and regional ‘expert’ on the subject area. Local design practitioners, activists and community organizers are invited to participate in the discussion. Afternoon event will be by rsvp (.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or ConvergExchange.org) but is free and open to anyone who wishes to attend.

Presented by:
ADPSR Egan Urban Center SHED Studio

Sponsored by:
Richard H. Driehaus Foundation
Rose Architectural Fellowship, a program of Enterprise Community Partners
Design Corps
Chicago Architecture Foundation

EVENT SCHEDULE

CONVERGE: EXCHANGE: What communities, activists and practitioners can teach each other – a Chicago Dialogue

March 19th, 2009, 9:30am-4:30pm

9:30-10:30am
Meeting & Greeting
Location: Egan Center at DePaul University
Welcome remarks - John Zeigler, Egan Center
Introduction to panels - SHED Studio

10:30-11:30am
Open Table: Shaping Community Visions for a Sustainable World
Location: Egan Center, DePaul University

Panel 1: Freewheeling on the green highway
Jobs, social enterprises and resources in the emerging green economy
Potential Participants (Still being finalized)
Growing Home, Clean Street, Delta Institute and some other options

Panel 2: Cornucopias in the desert
Food access, health resources and nutritional efforts in local communities
Potential Participants (Still being finalized)
LaDonna Redmond, Imagine Englewood If, CLOCC and some other options

Panel 3: The Future is Now: The Place is Here
Bringing back quality into the Quality of Life of our neighborhoods
Potential Participants (Still being finalized)
Faith in Place, Little Village Environmental Justice Organization and some other options

12:15-1:00pm
Lunch Table: Showcasing our participants
Location: Egan Center at DePaul University
Informal Presentation by Architects/Designers/Planners for Social Responsibility (ADPSR), Black Oaks Sustainable Center, Archetreasures, Dropping Knowledge, Lawndale Youth Corps

1:30pm-4:30pm
Round Table: Discussing Public-Interest Design
Location: Egan Center, DePaul University Student Center, Downtown Campus

1:30pm-2:30pm
Setting the Framework: Introduction to discussion and format
Moderators – Ryan Wilson & Monica Chadha
Introductions to the Round Table Discussions - Table leaders

2:30pm-4:00pm
Discussion
Community Participation: Led by (Joyce Fernandes, Archi-treasures) & Bryan Bell (Design Corps)
Professional Involvement: Led by John Cary (Public Architecture), Thomas Fisher (Dean, College of Design, University of Minnesota) and local partner (to be confirmed)
Building Partnerships: Led by Martin Felsen (Archeworks) and Katie Swenson (Rose Architectural Fellowship)

4:00pm-4:30pm
Bringing ideas to the table: developing plans of action and follow up

6:00pm
Steel Table
Event hosted by Steelcase and Metropolis as described below.

1 E Jackson Boulevard. Egan Urban Center. Chicago, Illinois

Please visit ConvergExchange.org for more information