Program

The Conference Guide (including full program) is available for download. Click here for PDF or click here for Word format.

The Theme:

From Canopy to Forest Floor: Organization Development in the Global Ecology

2007 IODA Conference at Sun Peaks, British Columbia, Canada is in a part of the world with close ties to the land – socially, economically and spiritually. This magnificent setting is our inspiration for this year's theme.

Today's OD work is all about making a difference in complex, interdependent systems. We use the metaphor of the Forest and its intricate eco-systems to structure our thinking about what we collectively and individually need to learn in order to respond to the complexities that we and our clients face. The forest's intricate ecosystems will provide both the literal and inspirational backdrops to explore our individual and collective possibilities as global OD practitioners.

Our theme is divided into 4 parts:

1. Forests: do we really know how to "see" the forest of interconnections?
2. Communities within the forest: How well do we understand and work with community diversity? With our own diversity?
3. Forest Floor: What do we need to do to refresh and re-fuel our individual growth and energies as practitioners? What kind of support do we need to encourage our own growth, and to provide energy for others?
4. Forest Canopy: The forest canopy is where the land meets the atmosphere. Do we, as OD practitioners, have global, broad, flexible and unifying perspectives and practices? What are we doing to shelter and nurture the growth and development of new practitioners in this field?

A Tree-friendly Conference

In keeping with our forest theme, and following the excellent precedent set at the 2006 Conference in the Netherlands, our team would like to host a conference that reduces the unnecessary use of paper:

• All conference materials (including the program) will be provided on the conference website.
• Downloads will be available from the site in a printer-friendly format.
• Participants should download and/or print for themselves any materials that they want to reference at the conference.
• The conference's on-site "computer centre" will be equipped with printers and paper so that those in need can print documents there.
• Video monitors and/or posters will be used on-site to display daily program information.

Program

From Canopy to Forest Floor: Organization Development in the Global Ecology

IODA Canada 2007 offers you a truly global journey of discovery and learning.

• Keynote sessions will present challenging ideas from local and international thought leaders.
• Focused learning tours will offer opportunities to explore complex systems and how local community and business realities are influenced by global trends.
• Concurrent sessions offered by colleagues from 35 countries working in business, government and non-profit sectors are sure to inspire you with new approaches, and state of the art thinking!
• Greenhouse conversations, (indoor AND outdoor) action learning sessions, as well as truly Canadian food, arts and music each evening open up the space we need for networking with colleagues and peers, and supply all kinds of FUN!
• We are committed to creating a community experience in the context of our conference. IODA members from Canada and around the world look forward to being part of an event which nourishes head, heart, hands, body and spirit.