Why we should party for the G20

There is much to protest at the 2010 G20 summit in Toronto, but I keep thinking we are missing the boat by not having one big street party outside the summit barricades.

Toronto from behind the chain link fence

We live in one of the best cities in the world, twenty of the world’s leaders are coming to visit, and the image we wish to leave them with is one of protest and violence?

My dream would be one giant street party running the length of Queen Street, showcasing local musicians, artists, cultures, restaurants, and community groups.  Put our best face forward for the benefit of the world!

At the very least we should host a mash-up of our best cultural events: the Pride parade, Caribana, Luminato, NXNE, the Toronto Jazz Festival, Winterlicious and local food festivals. As an added bonus, throw in Doors Open and Jane’s Walk tours for delegates who might want to venture beyond the barricades.  It’s the story behind these showcase events that is the real message we need to send to the G20 leaders. Each is an example of the community passion and commitment that makes Toronto such a great place to live.

When I look at the agenda of the G20, including women’s health, economic security, and climate change, I feel we are missing a golden opportunity to show the world leaders that a simple solution to global issues is right under their collective noses: empower communities.

• If you want to promote health, empower communities to provide quality local health care, education and recreation.  Personal health and well-being is a cornerstone to prosperity.

• If you want economic security, empower communities to develop strong local economies.  It is local economies that we fall back on when times get tough.  They can create a more resilient national economy.

• If you want to slow down climate change, empower communities to save energy, ride bicycles, grow their own food, and work, shop and play locally. A complete community is both more sustainable and it is a better place to live.

Toronto may not be perfect, but through the strange combination of urban design, cultural inclusivity, and community passion, we are living proof that the answer to global issues lies in community development.

Occasionally, as an NGO leader, I am asked by foreign delegations for my opinion of urban planning. I usually start by saying Toronto is a city of villages, and no matter how big your city or country is, you still need to plan for villages. It’s how people connect with each other, it’s where they live, play, and maybe work.

Look at Toronto.  We have business improvement areas and neighbourhood associations and a vast array of community groups offering social, health, cultural, faith and environmental services.  We have thousands of volunteers and professionals, all working to make sure Toronto is a livable, friendly, and sustainable city.

As a city, we rock.  Yes, we have our issues and our problems, but have one of the most livable cities in the entire world.  All because people care and are involved in their communities.

So why aren’t we hosting a party?  With a billion dollar budget, would it be too much to ask for one million for a world-class street party?  The simple answer is that both sides don’t get it.  The focus of the governments and the protesters alike is on adversarial politics.

There is a long history of public intervention in global policy conferences, both peaceful and violent, invited and uninvited.  It is part of the accepted dance we play around global policy, from free trade to climate change.

Protest is important, but is it the only way to shift policy?   Take climate change, for example.

In his December 6^th commentary on the Copenhagen conference, Star columnist Peter Gorrie noted “In the obvious absence of political leadership, activists say it’s now up to the people, en masse, to take charge.”  It was an admission of the failure of lobbying, global petitions, and media campaigns (fossil-of-the-day awards) to extract any concessions or meaningful action out of the political leaders.

What makes this statement even more fascinating is the marked split in the environmental movement.  In reality, there is not one environmental movement, but two.  The one most people know started in the 1970s, tackles big issues (acid rain in the 80’s and now climate change), is led by large organizations, and focuses on policy change to achieve long-term targets.  Its membership signs petitions and makes donations.

The second movement (which still doesn’t have a clear name), started around the 1990’s in response to the global pressure for sustainable development.  New groups and businesses formed to deliver solutions. Larger organizations work closely with a vast network of community groups.  The focus is on helping people live a greener lifestyle now.  This movement is extremely active in Toronto, and I could easily list dozens of community-based groups and individuals who are helping set up community gardens, local bake-ovens, farmers markets, community solar projects, community tree-planting, bike lanes and safe cycling, home energy audits, and even entire buildings devoted to social innovation.

These groups don’t have a voice at the Toronto G20 summit, but if they did their policy message would be simple: invest in communities. We are not your enemy, we are your saviours.

The best way to get this message across is not with banners and placards, but with bands and parties.  It’s too late and too contentious to hold a party this time around.  Maybe the next summit can start a new trend of showcasing local solutions and hosting a street party.