Thursday, Nov. 5, 2009
Halifax, Nova Scotia


The 2008/09 year was one of advocacy, action, and engagement for FUSION Halifax’s board and its 1,400 members.

“Our second year was all about elevating the dialogue, inspiring positive change, and unleashing new opportunities for young people in our community,” said Alyson Queen, chair of FUSION Halifax. “We reached out through regular ‘Second Thursday’ networking events, offered development and volunteer opportunities to members, and conducted important employment research. Our members have given back through two Habitat for Humanity builds, and continued to educate young people on issues that matter to our generation, including democratic participation, sustainability, wellness and urban development.”

FUSION Halifax demonstrated its commitment to supporting positive change in the spring of 2009 when its Urban Development Action Team led a campaign to support HRMbyDesign. With community partners such as Nova Scotia Power and the Downtown Halifax Business Commission, FUSION Halifax launched a comprehensive campaign to publicly endorse the plan. This campaign, complete with buttons, postcards, events and education sessions, played a pivotal role in the approval of the city’s first urban design plan in a generation.

In January, FUSION’s “People Factor” Action Team conducted and released an employment survey that served to highlight the importance of young talent in creating a vibrant and exciting city. The launch event, presented in partnership with Nova Scotia Come to life, brought together FUSION Halifax members and community leaders for an interactive panel discussion on career opportunities and how government, business and young people can work together to make Halifax a destination of choice.

FUSION also focused on the importance of Halifax being a talent magnet for young people, leading the charge for greater efforts to attract, retain and repatriate young professionals. This position was presented at the Mayor’s Forum on the Economy in March.

The organization’s second year was underscored by considerable political change and economic uncertainty – both locally and globally. In the lead-up to the Nova Scotia provincial election in June, FUSION Halifax reached out to its members and the broader community through a number of initiatives, including a debate party at the Gorsebrook Lounge and the much-discussed ‘Just Vote’ radio and video campaign. The message was simple but effective – get connected, get informed, and get out and vote. The 2009 effort followed similar successful campaigns for the federal and municipal elections in the fall of 2008.

A recently announced achievement for the organization was the partnership between FUSION’s Arts & Culture Action Team and Business for the Arts, a national organization with chapters in cities across Canada. The newly formed FUSION artsScene will be the first chapter in Atlantic Canada, focused on promoting local arts and culture in Halifax while participating in activities on a national scale.

“I am extraordinarily proud of FUSION’s achievements in 2008-2009 and want to sincerely thank our members – particularly the board of directors – for their commitment to inspiring progress and change in Halifax,” said Queen.

FUSION Halifax will elect its 2009/10 board of directors on Thursday, Nov. 5, 2009 at 6 p.m. at the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia, 1723 Hollis Street, Halifax.

About FUSION Halifax
FUSION Halifax is an organization created by and for young people who are inspired to make their city a better, more sustainable place to live, work and play. Through its more than 1400 members, volunteer committees and dynamic networks, FUSION Halifax showcases existing opportunities - and unleashes new ones - that encourage civic and community engagement.

- 30 -

Media contact: Sarah Levy
FUSION Halifax
902-222-3658
nsbi.ca