The Conference Program Committee is looking for presentations that are “learner-centric” and meet the needs of participants. The best proposals challenge, inspire and involve participants by providing them with new tools and ideas they can apply in their practice. 

We always receive more proposals than we can select, so consider ways to make yours stand out. Be provocative, unique, inspirational, innovative, and consider ways to involve your audience – both in-person and online.  Please use plain language when you fill out the form. Jargon is discouraged. 

Writing your proposal - Getting started

Before starting your proposal, consider the following questions. They may help you improve your proposal: 

• How will your proposal appeal to the target audience?

• How does your proposal address the conference theme or one or more sub-theme(s)?

• Does your proposal accurately describe the key elements of your session or workshop and its objectives?

• How will the participants be able to apply what they learn practically?

• How will the session or workshop help participants reflect and examine issues arising from their practice?

• The proposal application  requires a detailed yet short description. How does yours entice people to attend?

• Can you present diverse perspectives by collaborating with a co-presenter? 

• How much time is allotted for discussions, exercises, teamwork, or other interactions?

• How will your session or workshop foster networks and relationship building? 

• What do you hope participants learn, and what can you do to meet their needs? 

• How will you be interactive with in-person participants, and if possible, with virtual participants?

If you want to PREVIEW the application form, you can consult the preview here. It's useful to have already thought about certain questions (for example, your agenda for your session or workshop, your learning objectives, etc.).

What are learning objectives?

Learning objectives are NOT a summary of your presentation’s content but rather a description of what participants will be able to accomplish differently after attending your session.  Below are examples to help you prepare your learning objectives.

Participants can….

• Recognize the value and critical importance of bringing multiple perspectives to complex issues.

• Be able to design a deliberative process to produce a well-considered, collectively drafted recommendation.

• Design and implement an evaluation process aligned with the IAP2 Spectrum of Participation and consistent with IAP2 Core Values and evaluation’s professional standards.

• Define clear objectives for increasing and deepening diversity within public engagement efforts.

• Demonstrate how to use creative tension to innovate.

• Identify why groups struggle with problems and select appropriate facilitative strategies/techniques to improve their deliberations.

Examples of past conference presentations

For inspiration, review these presentations from past conferences:

• 2020 Virtual Conference - Canada

• 2018 Conference in Victoria, British Columbia