Welcome to Smart Waterloo Region’s information hub! (2019)
Consultation has concluded
This project supports the Region of Waterloo's strategic focus area(s): 
Did you know we have a one in five chance of winning $50 million to improve child and youth well-being in Waterloo region? That's right, we've been shortlisted in the Federal Government's Smart Cities Challenge!
This Smart Waterloo Region (SWR) information hub has everything you need to know about our project.
To win, we need to become the best community in Canada for kids! Help us by: spreading the word, attending a meeting, or sharing your ideas. We plan to use them. Stay informed by subscribing to SWR updates. For a bit of background, check out our Project Updates.
Our Focus: Healthy Children and Youth
It’s official, after months of gathering public input, we’ve selected our challenge area: Heal
thy children and youth!
Our Challenge Statement
Narrowing our focus, our project will address child and youth well-being in Waterloo region. Our challenge statement sums up our approach:
We will become the benchmark community in Canada for child and youth well-being by using early intervention, youth engagement and a connected-community framework to create adaptive, data-driven programs and scalable learning technologies that improve early child development, mental health and high school graduation rates.
We’ll be launching new engagement activities every other week. Be sure to subscribe (along the sidebar) to receive updates and notices when new activities have been posted.
Remember to follow us on Twitter: @SmartWatRegion and Instagram: @SmartWatRegion, and to use the hashtag #SmartWR.
-
How might we ensure children and youth are meaningfully involved in decisions about their lives and well-being?
Share How might we ensure children and youth are meaningfully involved in decisions about their lives and well-being? on Facebook Share How might we ensure children and youth are meaningfully involved in decisions about their lives and well-being? on Twitter Share How might we ensure children and youth are meaningfully involved in decisions about their lives and well-being? on Linkedin Email How might we ensure children and youth are meaningfully involved in decisions about their lives and well-being? link
Often, children and youth are not meaningfully involved in decisions that governments and social services make about their lives and well-being. As a result, young people’s voices are not considered in decisions about community spaces, services and programs, curriculum, funding, and policy. When young people are not involved in these decisions, we miss out on their valuable input and may create solutions that are not best for them. We lack tools and processes that help young people feel informed, valued, and empowered to participate in decision-making that affects them.Share your ideas and suggestions!
-
How might we make services and supports easier for young people to access in our region?
Share How might we make services and supports easier for young people to access in our region? on Facebook Share How might we make services and supports easier for young people to access in our region? on Twitter Share How might we make services and supports easier for young people to access in our region? on Linkedin Email How might we make services and supports easier for young people to access in our region? link
When children and youth face challenges, they can find it difficult to ask for help because of stigma. Peers, adults, and communities may reinforce expectations and stigma, making it harder to reach out when something is wrong. Legal requirements around disclosure and parental permission can make it difficult for young people to feel a sense of safety, privacy, and confidentiality. We need to build empathy and reduce stigma within our community. We need to provide resources that support caring adults and peers. This will make our community more open and caring for young people.Share your ideas and suggestions!
-
How might we create more opportunities for young people to learn life skills, build their confidence and resilience?
Share How might we create more opportunities for young people to learn life skills, build their confidence and resilience? on Facebook Share How might we create more opportunities for young people to learn life skills, build their confidence and resilience? on Twitter Share How might we create more opportunities for young people to learn life skills, build their confidence and resilience? on Linkedin Email How might we create more opportunities for young people to learn life skills, build their confidence and resilience? link
Young people feel that there are not enough opportunities to learn important life skills, including financial literacy and skills for civic engagement. They worry about facing these skill gaps as they become more independent and move into adulthood. Children and youth need more time, space, and support to practice and explore life skills with supportive adults and peers. We also need to create opportunities for young people and adults to work together to identify what life skills are important.Share your ideas and suggestions!
Videos
-
Learn what a smart city is! This video describes the Smart Cities Challenge. Ask us if you have any questions.
