discussion with people
Themes for action Explore the ideas and recommendations that emerged from the Healthy Waterloo Summit to help create a healthier campus and community.

Themes for action findings

The Healthy Waterloo Summit brought together more than 100 participants from across the University of Waterloo and the broader community, including students, faculty, staff, alumni, community organizations, businesses, government representatives and people with lived experience.

During the summit, participants completed a collaborative Themes for Action exercise, generating ideas to improve health and wellbeing across campus and the broader community. Suggestions were initially organized across six areas—People, Places, Systems, Policies and Leadership, Culture and Connection, and Innovation—and later synthesized into three strategic themes:

  1. Empowering people and community
  2. Transforming physical and digital places
  3. Reforming systems, policies and leadership

Below is a summary of the ideas that emerged from the exercise.

Empowering people and community

Participants emphasized that healthier communities begin with people. Their ideas focused on strengthening relationships, supporting wellbeing, increasing access to opportunities and empowering individuals to contribute to healthier communities.

Key points

Behaviour change and social connection

Support healthy habits by strengthening social connections, peer support and everyday opportunities to connect.

Equity and inclusion

Create welcoming environments where everyone has equitable opportunities to participate, lead and thrive.

Engagement and education

Expand community learning, health education and opportunities for civic engagement both inside and outside the classroom.

Volunteerism and community action

Strengthen volunteer networks and community partnerships that encourage collaboration and shared responsibility.

Self-care and wellbeing

Promote self-care, proactive supports and accessible services that help people care for themselves and others.

Transforming physical and digital places

Participants highlighted the important role that physical and digital environments play in shaping health and wellbeing. They envisioned spaces that are welcoming, accessible, connected and designed to support healthy everyday experiences.

Key points

Place-making and infrastructure

Create inclusive spaces that encourage connection, recreation, learning and community participation.

Food and nutrition access

Expand access to affordable, healthy food through innovative programs and shared community spaces.

Mobility and accessibility

Improve transportation, active mobility and access to parks, trails and community destinations.

Safe and inclusive environments

Design spaces that prioritize accessibility, safety, dignity and connection to nature.

Spaces to play and rest

Create more opportunities for recreation, relaxation, creativity and informal social interaction.

Digital innovation and technology

Use technology to improve access to health information, services and personalized supports.

Reforming systems, policies and leadership

Participants recognized that lasting improvements require changes beyond individual behaviour. Their recommendations focused on creating more connected systems, equitable policies and collaborative leadership that supports long-term community wellbeing.

Key points

Integrated systems and navigation

Improve coordination across organizations and make it easier for people to access services and supports.

Data and health literacy

Strengthen access to information and improve understanding of health systems and available resources.

Responsive and equitable funding

Invest in approaches that reduce barriers and direct resources where they are needed most.

Policy and regulatory reform

Develop policies that promote health, remove barriers and support innovation across systems.

Leadership and accountability

Foster collaborative leadership, transparent decision-making and shared accountability for improving health and wellbeing.

Learn more

Interested in learning more? Contact healthy.waterloo@uwaterloo.ca to request a copy of the full Themes for Action Summary.