Ivan Touko

SDG 11: Sustainable cities and communities resonates most with me. I wholeheartedly believe that social sustainability, which is often overlooked, will truly help us shape the future we want. Making cities more inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable will positively affect our environment, our quality of life, and our interactions with each other.

After moving to Edmonton in 2012, I was looking for different ways to reconnect with my culture and what I’d left behind “back home.” I found the answer in Sangea, a West African drumming and dancing group, and in forming my own dance group. These experiences gave me the network and the confidence to found La Connexional with a few of my peers. Through my work with La Connexional, I’ve had the opportunity to connect and collaborate with fellow changemakers and truly work with communities on the local and international scale.

• If you are interested, La Connexional is always looking for volunteers! As we are a very small social enterprise, there are always items or tasks that we need help with.
• You could also volunteer with Ribbon Rouge Foundation programs, like their Afro-Caribbean Black Caucus or their artist collective, or with YEG The Come Up, a youth collective affiliated with Africa Centre.
• Student groups on your university campus are also a great way to start getting involved in the community as they are accessible to students and do not require a heavy time commitment.
• No matter what you are passionate about, most cities will have an organization that is already working toward the issues you care about. If there aren’t any organizations, create one; I am sure you will find out fast enough that there are other people in the city that care as much as you do!