The Association of Professional Futurists (APF) is delighted to partner with OCAD University in The Futures of Creativity & Compassion. This is the first APF event since 2023, and the first APF event in Toronto since 2010. It will gather together practitioners working at the intersection of futures, design, system change to explore transformational futures.
A Convivial Approach
This conference stands out by focusing on interactive social technologies that foster collaboration and engagement. Participants are encouraged to explore other ways of knowing through discussion and embodied practices of experiencing. The event includes immersive installations designed to provoke thought and inspire creativity. Additionally, it provides an ongoing area for participants to ruminate and process emotions, as highlighted by the Space for Grief initiative.
In a time of social disruption and fragmentation, this conference is particularly significant. It aims to navigate towards a more desirable future by emphasizing the importance of compassion and collective understanding. By fostering deep connections and collaborative efforts, the event seeks to address current societal challenges and inspire participants to envision and work towards a more harmonious and inclusive world. Unlike typical conferences, it does not have keynotes and is designed for participation rather than one-way communication. For those who wish to vent or gather a listening audience, there is an ongoing open mic speakers' corner set up just for that.
*Evening Reception on the 15th, Program Starts 16th
This is not a typical conference.
It is a convivial space for experimentation, connection, and transformation—
where futures are not only imagined but felt, shared, and lived.
APF Programming
Highlights
APF members space:
APF programming will balance serious professional development with engaging, even playful approaches that honor both the rigor and creativity inherent in futures work, featuring a dynamic blend of professional development and that compliments the theme of creative and compassionate future explorations. The experience includes both intimate skill-building sessions and collaborative networking opportunities.
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OCAD Programming
Highlights
The program will feature:
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Interactive workshops
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Experiential futures installations
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The Space for Grief project
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A Speakers Corner
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Networking with other changemakers
event schedule & programmes
Programme will be updating everyday!
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A two-time Canadian Juno award-winning recording artist and one of the world’s leading dub poets, Lillian Allen has produced groundbreaking albums such as Conditions Critical and Revolutionary Tea Party. Her latest single, "Woken & Unbroken" is available on Bandcamp.
About: https://lillianallen.ca/
New book of her poetry: Make the World New
Latest single: “Woken & Unbroken”
Event Schedule
Schedule & Concurrent Workshops
Time | Schedule |
3:00 p.m. | Doors Open |
4:00 p.m. | Opening Remarks |
4:30-6 p.m. | Opening Reception
Featuring DJ Patti Schmidt and the Interconnected Mocktail |
6:30 p.m. - late | Networking - hosted by the Association of Professional Futurists |
Continuing Installations & Time Machines
EVENT REGISTRATION
*The registration fee will be paid in US dollars, we've listed all prices in Canadian dollars for your reference.
Event Q&A
What is a Nexus Event?
A collaborative gathering between APF and local organizations. It aims to become a convergence of key people, discussions, and innovations to serve as a catalyst for major ideas or changes.
Where is the event?
The event will be in the OCAD’s Waterfront Campus in downtown Toronto located at 130 Queens Quay E, Toronto, ON M5A 0P6, Canada
How can I join the APF networking session?
APF network sessions are for APF members only. You can find more information on how to join the APF here. (https://www.apf.org/join-us/membership-types-and-benefits)
If I arrive before the event, can you recommend some local sight-seeing activities?
Information will be shared in the gated WhatsApp event group.
Will I be able to connect with other event participants before and during the event?
Yes, you can join the APFxOCAD Nexus Event 2025 WhatsApp group through the APF WhatsApp Community. The Community will be open from now till 2 weeks after the event.Click here to join. (https://chat.whatsapp.com/LYP92G2DQGJ7mHZ70NwzBr)
Why Creativity & Compassion?
Creativity is the ability to generate innovative, meaningful and unique ideas. It involves breaking free from traditional norms and forging new pathways. Developing creative thinking and making skills is an integral part of becoming a futurist or foresight practitioner. In this turbulent world, which often prizes self-interest and competition, compassion promotes meaningful connections and builds stronger relationships, which are essential for creative problem-solving and addressing the challenges that changemakers tackle.
I am from out of town, where should I stay and how do I get around?
The Planet Traveler Hostel https://theplanettraveler.com/ 357 College St, Toronto ON M5T 1S5, Canada Distance to Conference: 4.5km, 20 min drive, 1 hour walk to the Nexus event, easy by Public transit. *One of the first Eco-friendly hostels internationally, relatively inexpensive and ethically minded. The Westin Harbour Castle https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/yyzwi-the-westin-harbour-castle-toronto/own/ 1 Harbour Square, Toronto, CA M5J 1A6 Distance to Conference: 1.2km, 15 min walk to the Nexus event, a bus goes right there too. *group rate available Toronto’s public transport system (TTC) is a great way to get around the city. There is an integrated network of buses, subway, and streetcars (trams) covering the city. TTC Day Pass: $13.50 for unlimited travel (bus, subway, streetcar) Single Fare: $3.30 (presto card), $3.35 (cash/debit/credit) Presto Cards: Available at stations and Shoppers Drug Mart locations Union station (major transit hub) is just a 10 min walk from the venue and connects to GO trains, UP Express (airport rail), and TTC.
What activities can I expect in the event?
We will not be having speakers or panels. Rather the schedule will include workshops, installations and activations.
Are there food & drinks included?
The ticket includes lunch and beverages during the event.
Are there any parking options close to the event venue?
There is underground parking onsite. The entrance is located on Richardson Street which is the street on the east side of the building. Parking rate: Daily max (in between 7:30 AM - 5:00 PM out by 7:00 PM): $18.00 Evening max (5:00 PM - 5:00 AM): $10.00
About the Organizers
The Association of Professional Futurists is a global community of futurists, dedicated to promoting professional excellence and demonstrating the value of strategic foresight and Futures Studies for their clients and/ or employers. Founded in 2002, the APF now includes more than 500 members from 60 countries.
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OCAD University (OCADU) is Canada's oldest, largest and leading art and design university, located in downtown Toronto since 1876. OCADU’s Strategic Foresight and Innovation (SFI) MDes Program, the first program of its kind in Canada, prepares Change Makers and Innovation Leaders to navigate and drive complex change in a rapidly evolving world.
Vision Statement
To reimagine the role of creativity and compassion in shaping futures by fostering a participatory, inclusive, and embodied approach to knowledge-making—one that values emotional intelligence, collective care, and the power of imagination to navigate complexity and inspire transformation.
Mission Statement
The Futures of Creativity and Compassion conference is a gathering of foresight practitioners, designers, artists, and changemakers committed to doing things differently. Hosted by the Association of Professional Futurists in partnership with OCAD University, this event invites participants to explore alternative ways of knowing, sensing, and connecting through immersive, interactive, and emotionally resonant experiences.
We aim to:
Center participation over presentation
eschewing keynotes in favor of co-creation, dialogue, and open expression
Support local and sustainable practices
sourcing materials and suppliers with care and striving for zero waste
Foster embodied and multisensory learning
through installations, workshops, and practices that engage the whole self
Encourage interpersonal exploration & individual rumination
recognizing that futures thinking is both a shared and deeply personal journey
Create space for emotional processing and reflection
including initiatives like The Space for Grief and an open mic Speakers’ Corner
Inspire new paradigms of compassion and creativity
as essential tools for navigating disruption and building more just, inclusive, and desirable futures
Event Sponsors
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