A Window to the Future: Chicago Leaders Explore Adapting to Change

Keynote  How do Regions Adapt to Change? A Framework for Thinking about Chicago’s Future  

Keynote Speaker: Dr. Manuel Pastor, Professor of Geography and American Studies and Ethnicity, University of Southern California. Dr. Pastor’s research on U.S. urban issues has been published widely and he speaks frequently on issues of demographic change, economic inequality and community empowerment. He is the co-author of Regions That Work: How Cities and Suburbs Can Grow Together.

The Shifting Environment: Climate change, energy use and sources, use of green technologies. How will Chicago deal with these issues in the coming years? How can we adapt constructively to environmental challenges?

Presenter: Howard Learner, Executive Director, Environmental Law and Policy Center

 The Future of our Region I – Housing, Transportation and Infrastructure:  Where we live, how we get around, how we relate to our physical space.  What are the physical changes we can anticipate as we plan our region’s future? 

Presenter: Randy Blankenhorn, Executive Director, Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning

The Future of our Region II – Opportunities and Adaptability:  What are the collaborative and funding opportunities today for successful regional growth?  How can the Chicago region adapt to political and economic changes, taking advantage of opportunities and responding to challenges nimbly and effectively?

Presenter: MarySue Barrett, Executive Director, Metropolitan Planning Council

The Future of Philanthropy: What is the role of philanthropy in support of our region’s economic recovery? As government priorities move increasingly into the domain of social innovation, what are the implications for the long-term role of philanthropy in our society?

Presenter: Terry Mazany, President and Chief Executive Officer, The Chicago Community Trust

The Panel discussion will be followed by an opportunity to dialogue in facilitated break-out groups.

The 25th Anniversary Symposium is co-sponsored by The Chicago Community Trust and the Friends of Albert C. Maule Fund at Leadership Greater Chicago. The Symposium is free and open to the public.