Open events

Social isolation is one of the most pressing public health and societal challenges of our time, eroding trust, participation, and collective well-being. Join or Die, a compelling documentary based on Dr. Robert Putnam's research and directed by Pete Davis and Rebecca Davis, explores the decline of social capital and its profound implications for democracy, health, and community resilience. This public screening, hosted by CALS in collaboration with the University of Waterloo's Recreation and Leisure Studies (RLS) department, will be followed by an rich plenary discussion, moderated by CALS member Dr. Heather Mair and features panelists Dr. Troy Glover (University of Waterloo), Dr. Darla Fortune (Concordia University), and Bobbie Breckenridge (GenWell). Together, we will critically examine the film’s key themes and explore actionable strategies to rebuild social trust and community engagement. This session underscores the urgent need to foster social connections in an increasingly fragmented world, offering insights that resonate deeply with Congress 2025’s theme of Reframing Togetherness.