(Learning Webinar) - NAC Encore - "Is Equitable Engagement Possible in a Virtual World?

We've seen a variety of innovative virtual tools rise to the fore during the COVID-19 pandemic. It's allowed important civic projects and public engagement to move forward despite the shuttering of all in-person gatherings across the US and the world. These tools have made engagement more accessible, but is it enough? Is equitable engagement possible in an increasingly virtual world? This session -- a reprise of one of the more popular presentations at the 2021 IAP2 North American Conference -- will reflect on the challenges and inequities that the pandemic has more acutely exposed in public participation practice, share ideas for reframing equitable engagement towards long-term resiliency, and lessons learned from public projects that put partnerships and relationship-building at its core.

Speaker: Irene Kim

Irene is a Partner at Cascadia Partners and urban planner specializing in public engagement strategy and visual communications on a broad range of projects with public agencies. Irene is the current Board President for ROSE Community Development and has been involved in the Board for over five years. She has spent the last decade working with public and private sector clients in Oregon on equity-based engagement strategies that puts diversity and inclusion at the forefront of public involvement practices. Her work includes designing innovative and interactive meetings and engagement tools both online and in-person to gain informed public feedback that aligns with actionable strategies and genuine community building.