Join us for an inspiring conversation on how strong social infrastructure (parks, healthcare and cultural programs, community organizations) and a safe environment foster a sense of belonging by providing cohesive spaces for interaction, building trust, and cohesion within a community.
Our speakers will reflect on how social infrastructure and community safety can contribute to building belonging and regenerating our social fabric in the context of division and isolation. Our speakers will also discuss how a Canada-wide Strategy for Belonging can help amplify the impact of social infrastructure and community safety as catalysts for belonging.
The discussion will include practical recommendations for changemakers on how to enable a strong social infrastructure and adopt a holistic approach to community safety.
This webinar is part of a 2025 series of conversations to amplify the movement for a Canada-wide Strategy for Belonging that centres the perspectives of residents on making community belonging a policy priority for wellbeing and economic prosperity.
Speakers
Felix Munger, PhD (he/him/il). Executive Director. Canadian Centre for Safer Communities
Felix joined the Canadian Centre for Safer Communities in 2015 as the executive director. Felix has over 25 years of experience facilitating strategic planning, priority setting, and collaboration building with a wide range of participants including equity-deserving and Indigenous communities. Originally trained as a psychiatric nurse, he has experience in community safety, organizational collaboration, mental health and addiction, equity, diversity, inclusion, and organizational capacity development. He holds a master’s degree in environmental studies and a PhD in community psychology. Most recently, his work is focused on the impacts of climate change and social polarization on community safety, as well as evaluation and monitoring of community safety. Felix resides in Waterloo Region, Ontario, which is the traditional territory of the Haudenosaunee, Anishinaabe, and Neutral peoples.
Jorge Garza (he/him/il). Associate Director, Communities Building Belonging. Tamarack Institute
Jorge is leading a growing Canada-wide, asset-based movement that supports municipalities, institutions, and individuals to increase the collective sense of belonging. At Tamarack, he is excited to engage with more than 7,000 learners and over 900 local champions in making community belonging a policy priority in Canada. Previously, Jorge worked at the Metcalf Foundation, where he supported the development of its poverty reduction program. He also worked at the McConnell Foundation, where he contributed to the development of its place-based portfolio and explored the role of philanthropy in cultivating a more equitable society.
Jorge is a realistic optimist who loves being in community. He believes in everyone’s potential to build just futures. Jorge brings a diverse background of experience in strategy development, program design, and urban policy. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of Fondation Béati.