Creating Space for Civic Dialogue: A Municipal Affair

How interVivos’ mission came alive through civic conversation and community

Fu's Repair Shop in downtown Edmonton is a bustling place filled with great food and lively music. On this chilly evening in early October 2025, however, its tastefully lit interior is buzzing with a different kind of excitement. interVivos, the Edmonton-based nonprofit, is hosting its non-partisan event, A Municipal Affair.

Volunteers move quickly between tables, arranging an unusual combination of centrepieces. Alongside the potted plants and flickering tealights are pens, markers, sticky notes, and stationery thoughtfully placed at every table, inviting participation rather than passive observation. A slideshow highlights the evening's speakers and introduces attendees to the values that guide interVivos. Choosing a local venue like Fu's Repair Shop adds to the welcoming, community-focused atmosphere and sets the tone for open conversation.

Beyond creating an inviting space, the event brought together subject matter experts to explore three issues shaping Edmonton's future: affordability and taxes, safety, and the local economy and innovation. Conversations quickly became thoughtful and energetic, moving between personal experiences and broader policy discussions. Edmontonians from many different backgrounds came together to listen, share ideas, and feel heard on issues that would soon be in the hands of a newly elected City Council.

These conversations reflected the realities people experience every day through housing costs, neighbourhood safety, and the strength of local businesses. More importantly, they created space for issue-based discussion without the assumptions or divisions that often accompany partisan politics.

Why are conversations like these so important, and why hold them without politicians or political parties? The answer lies in the guiding principles of interVivos.

Events like A Municipal Affair bring the organization's mission and vision to life. Leadership is not simply about holding a position or seeking elected office. It begins with the willingness to participate, ask thoughtful questions, listen to different perspectives, and engage respectfully with others. Through dialogue and connection, participants practice the very skills that strengthen communities.

interVivos' vision is to create "a generation of inspired and informed leaders." It imagines a future where people are empowered to participate meaningfully in civic life because they understand the issues, value different perspectives, and have the confidence to contribute.

It is often said that society has lost many of its "third spaces"—places outside of home and work where people can gather, exchange ideas, and build community. Ancient Athens had the Agora, a public gathering place where citizens debated philosophy, politics, and public life. While universities, conferences, and think tanks continue that tradition in some ways, they are not accessible to everyone. The internet has become today's marketplace of ideas, but it often lacks the sense of community, trust, and genuine dialogue that comes from being together in the same room.

The name interVivos comes from a Latin phrase meaning "between the living." Its mission is to cultivate leadership through dialogue, engagement, and mentorship. By creating welcoming spaces where people can explore important civic issues together, interVivos encourages participants to discover their own capacity for leadership. Conversations are guided by curiosity rather than partisanship and by a shared desire to better understand one another.

A Municipal Affair demonstrated how community-centred dialogue can strengthen civic participation. In a setting where ideas could be exchanged openly and respectfully, participants left not only better informed but more confident in their ability to contribute to their city. Through intentional programming and meaningful community-building, interVivos continues to play an important role in fostering a more engaged Edmonton.

As Edmonton continues to grow and change, interVivos looks forward to creating more opportunities for people to come together, exchange ideas, and build meaningful connections. Events like A Municipal Affair remind us that healthy communities are built not only through elected leaders, but through informed citizens who are willing to listen, learn, and participate.

interVivos invites everyone to be part of that journey.

Missed A Municipal Affair? Don’t worry as A Referendum Affair is coming this fall! Connect with fellow Edmontonians and dive into the key issues ahead of the upcoming refrendum. Follow us on social media (Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn) or join our mailing list  to be the first to know when registration opens! Also, huge thanks to our board intern, Lisa Glock, for writing this blog!