Nadia Duguay, Entrepreneur & CEO of the Beati Fondation
1. As a young and lateral thinking Changemaker you have broken new ground in your work with prisoners and have pioneered a new movement. Please tell us about your thoughts on your key achievements in this journey of social transformation of one of the most disadvantaged groups in society.
I would like to clarify that I do not consider myself a pioneer of any kind. Today, I am quite far removed from my work in the prison system. What struck me most during that period was the depth and advancement of discussions, even within the prison environment. My many years of experience in prisons repeatedly demonstrated that the presumption of equality of intelligence can provoke moments of experiencing equality. It is this richness of exchange and mutual understanding that I remember most.
2. You have adapted your model(s) to other marginalized/at-risk populations—please share your learnings therein and adaptations that you have made in your model(s).
The model you mention is a philosophical practice called intellectual mediation, which continues to evolve and be adapted since its inception. This practice aims for constant and endless evolution through the practices of the organization Exeko, though I am no longer part of it. I find it beautiful to know that this work continues and become something else. What I have learned most is the importance of continuous adaptation to make sense of our actions. Each context and population require a flexible and evolving approach to respond effectively to their specific needs.
3. As someone said about you—”she defies categories”. Nadia, please share your thoughts on how you perceive our human services sector, the theory of change that guides the work, and what changes you think we need to make to ensure a higher degree of success in its work with its clientele. How can we improve how we are helping people today?
I am not certain I defy any categories! but if I do, many others do as well. I am not the best person to qualify the human services sector, especially since I have shifted towards philanthropy. However, I have observed that the arrival of more horizontal co-design practices in the public sector, beyond traditional public consultation, ensures increased relevance of actions. To improve how we “help” people, it is important to change our posture: communities already have identified concrete solutions to their problems; our role is to listen and support them rather than propose ready-made solutions. These solutions, often created without any intimate knowledge of the concrete experience, rarely pass the test of real implementation. On paper, they seem to work theoretically, but they remain hypotheses made by well-intentioned individuals, without regard for the actual needs of the communities. The principle of “nothing about us without us” must be the lever for any real transformation.
4. Our Foundation has been focusing on increasing awareness about the work that the Sector does and its economic and social contribution to the well-being of Canadians. Your thoughts on how we need to ensure success in achieving this goal would be really valued.
To raise awareness about the sector’s work and its contributions, it is essential to work hand in hand in a horizontal and decentralized manner. By actively involving various actors and creating partnerships based on equality, we can highlight the importance of the services provided. This involves integrating the perspectives of beneficiaries and stakeholders to co-construct narratives and initiatives that truly reflect the diversity and complexity of lived realities. Additionally, we must pursue egalitarian relationships while understanding the unequal power dynamics inherent in our socio-political positionalities. This approach not only raises awareness but also strengthens the legitimacy and effectiveness of the actions undertaken.
5. Women have been striving for equality in various spheres for generations, be it in the workplace, healthcare, business, amongst many other domains. Please share your insights on what we need to do moving forward to achieve a higher success rate.
To advance women’s equality, it is first necessary to clearly define what type of feminism we are talking about. For too long, a civilizational feminism has dominated here in north America and Europe, where women like me, white women, have often taken for granted that our vision of feminism was the norm for all women, which is obviously not true. For a truly feminist endeavor, it is imperative that our feminism addresses all women, acknowledging the unique challenges faced by groups that are kept in the margin. To increase tangible outcomes, it is central to position ourselves, sometimes be silent, and listen. By recognizing the diversity of experiences and needs, and giving space to voices seeking equity, which are so legitimate in this quest, we can create more inclusive and effective strategies to achieve equality. Additionally, we should share our connections, resources, and other supports.
Moreover, it is imperative to focus on approaches that prioritize intersectional analyses, such as Gender-based Analysis Plus (GBA+) or similar frameworks. These approaches help us understand how different aspects of a person’s identity intersect to impact their experience and access to resources. By incorporating intersectional analysis, we can ensure that our strategies are nuanced and responsive to the complex realities of all women, leading to more effective and equitable outcomes.