About the Conference
The 2022 SERC Training Institute Community Matters Conference is a day of learning, sharing, and growth for service providers across health, education and social service sectors in Manitoba – and beyond! Join us for a series of keynote presentations and workshops that cover a range of timely sexual and reproductive health and rights topics and issues. Featuring local sexuality and reproductive health educators, researchers and community members with lived experience, attendees will gain knowledge and learn new skills to support them in their work with clients.
The theme for this conference is “Community Matters,” which captures our intent to bridge the gap between the communities we serve and the providers who serve them! This conference will include three streams that highlight what matters to community right now when it comes to sexual and reproductive health and rights; and will also focus on how the community matters when it comes to the design and development of health programs and services. Through a series of thought provoking, engaging and interactive sessions, this conference will promote the advancement of rights as they relate to sexuality and reproductive health.
This event is 100% virtual and includes free ticket options, as well as accessibility features such as: live ASL interpretation, all presentations will be uploaded with closed captioning after the event, and for those who do not have access to technology to participate in the conference, SERC will be loaning out Wi-Fi-enabled tablets that can support the conference platform. For those without Wi-Fi, space will be set up in our Winnipeg office for folks to access Wi-Fi and refreshments as they participate in the event.
Conference Door Prize
As an added bonus, ALL registrants will be entered to win an Apple Watch, generously donated by Manitoba Blue Cross!
Registration is closed.
Featuring Keynote Speaker Dr. Marcia Anderson, Presented by Assiniboine Credit Union
Dr. Marcia Anderson is Cree-Anishinaabe and grew up in the North End of Winnipeg. Her family roots go to the Norway House Cree Nation and Peguis First Nation in Manitoba. She practices both Internal Medicine and Public Health as Medical Officer of Health with the Indigenous Services Canada-Manitoba Region. She is the Vice-Dean, Indigenous Health and the Executive Director of Indigenous Academic Affairs in the Ongomiizwin Indigenous Institute of Health and Healing, Rady Faculty of Health Services, University of Manitoba. She serves as the Chair of the Indigenous Health Network of the Association of Canada and Past Chair of the Pacific Region Indigenous Doctors Congress. She was recognized for her contributions Indigenous peoples health with a National Aboriginal Achievement Award in March 2011. In 2018 she was named one of the 100 most powerful women in Canada by the Women’s Executive Network.
Conference Program – Available Now!
| 9:00 – 9:20 | Welcome to the Conference with MCs Jared Star and Leigh Anne Caron and Opening Prayer with Knowledge Keeper Leslie Spillet | ||
| 9:20 – 9:50 | Keynote presentation by Dr. Marcia Anderson
Dr. Anderson will focus on community-based approaches and responses to Sexuality and Reproductive Health throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Anderson will share her experience and highlight the lessons learned that will support the sexual and reproductive health of the community in the future. |
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| 9:50 – 10:00 | Break | ||
| Stream A: Sexual Health Still MATTERS! |
Stream B: Going Beyond the Basics |
Stream C: Community-based Approaches to Sexual & Reproductive Health Education |
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| 10:00 – 11:00 | Breakout Session A.1 Sexual Health Beyond the Perimeter This session will include a panel discussion about the impact of COVID-19 on sexual and reproductive health service provision in rural, remote, and Northern Manitoba communities, including First Nation communities. Panelists will share their approaches, reflections, and challenges to adapting to meet community sexual health needs during the pandemic. Presenters will also share strategies for prioritizing sexual health in a post-pandemic Manitoba. |
Breakout Session B.1 Promoting Mental Wellness in Youth-Centered Environments When it comes to sexual health and identity, we know that experiences of stigma and discrimination can have deep impacts on our mental health. This workshop will provide information on youth mental health issues and mental wellness. We will explore the different ways that stress and trauma affect our well-being as service providers, and how they affect youth. Participants will discuss coping strategies, including stress reduction activities, to get through hard times. This workshop will also highlight resources and supports available for students, as well as activities that can be used in work with youth. |
Breakout Session C.1 Advocacy in Action: SERC’s Approach to FGC
In this session we will share information about Our Selves, Our Daughters Program, an award-winning initiative that provides space and resources for newcomer women from communities affected by female genital cutting (FGC) working for a change within their communities in Winnipeg, and advocating for improved care and support offered by service providers. This session will provide an overview of program learnings, challenges and successes, and SERC’s approach when working with these communities. |
| 11:00 – 12:00 | Breakout Session A.2 Supply Distribution Strategies: Harm Reduction at Work in Brandon In this session, we will discuss the importance of harm reduction strategies, including safer sex and safer drug use supply distribution. Specifically, we will focus on peer-led initiatives aimed at reducing STBBI transmission. Participants will leave with tools and strategies to engage community members and build capacity around creative sexual health knowledge sharing. |
Breakout Session B.2 Opening the Doors: 2STLGBQ+ Inclusion & Allyship In this session we will focus on the 2STLGBQ+ community and consider what it means to really be inclusive. Participants will leave with a deeper understanding of the complexities of identity, and the importance of respect and connection. |
Breakout Session C.2 Knowledge into Action: HIV Stigma Reduction Knowledge into Action (KiA) is a community-based project that works with newcomer communities in Winnipeg associated with countries considered HIV endemic. The project includes components focused on increasing STBBI related knowledge among community members, increasing capacity of community resource people and leadership, and increasing capacity of service providers offering services for these communities. This presentation will highlight the main challenges, learnings and successes of this work. |
| 12:00 – 1:00 | Lunch: Variety Hour Featuring Local Talent! | ||
| 1:00 – 2:00 | Breakout Session A.3 COVID Couch Convos: Youth Sexual Health Education During the Pandemic This session will explore SERC’s youth sexual health education work throughout the pandemic. Facilitators will share their approaches, reflections, and challenges to adapting to virtual classroom space. Our team learned to work with youth in diverse learning environments from facilitators on the classroom screen, to youth at home on their cellphones, prerecorded videos for folks with no internet, and alternative environments such as youth corrections and group homes. Participants will gain tips, tools, and resources for working with youth both virtually and in person. |
Breakout Session B.3 The Hidden Curriculum: What are We Moving Beyond and Why? Populist movements in the US and Canada believe that honest conversations about sexual health with healthcare providers and teachers may be harmful to youth. However, evidence does not support this. In this session, we will argue that comprehensive sexual health education is beneficial for youth and promotes autonomy and healthy relationships. Participants will leave this discussion with an understanding of comprehensive sexuality education, tools for discussing sexuality in a way that is inclusive of various values and beliefs, and reduced anxiety around sexual health education. |
Breakout Session C.3 & C.4 Creating a Culture of Consent at Work: A Community Health Approach to Workplace Sexual Harassment Prevention At its core, workplace sexual harassment is any harmful act of a sexual nature carried out without consent within a workplace setting or circumstance. We believe it is time to set a new workplace standard across Manitoba – that consent belongs at work. In this session, participants from all levels within any workplace can learn how to contribute to their collective health & safety by better understanding and practicing Consent at Work. |
| 2:00 – 3:00 | Breakout Session A.4 Sexual Health Education & Our Work with Newcomer Youth During this session, we will be discussing the impact of the Our Families Can Talk About Anything (OFTA) program on newcomer youth. Newcomers come from cultures with rich traditional knowledge about Sexuality and Reproductive Health. Youth come to OFTA sessions to share and learn common and new perspectives while addressing misconceptions and assumptions. Working with newcomer youth has provided an opportunity to elicit this kind of conversation. Participants will learn about our experiences working with newcomer youth and how we have created a safe learning environment to discuss sexuality. |
Breakout Session B.4 Going Beyond the Birds & Bees Talking with kids about sexuality can feel challenging. Having open communication that is free from shame and anxiety can be beneficial to children and their relationships to the adults in their lives as well. In this session, we will explore the importance of open communication about sexuality, developmental milestones, consent, and more. Participants will learn to support parents in talking with their children about sexuality. |
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| 3:00 – 3:10 | Break | ||
| 3:10 – 3:50 | Closing Plenary Presentation: What Matters! This session includes a panel discussion featuring leadership from newcomer communities in Winnipeg. Leaders will highlight what their communities would like professionals to know in order to provide services that are more responsive to the current needs, and address gaps in care. This panel will include time for questions at the end. |
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| 3:50 – 4:00 | Closing Remarks | ||
Conference Registration – Closed
Conference registration opens February 14, 2022
Sponsorship Opportunities – Available Now!
Sponsorship registration is now open. There are many options available, so you can select a package that aligns with your values, needs, and marketing goals. Purchase your sponsorship package today!
Conference Sponsors
Thank you to our partners for generously sponsoring this event, including:
