Our Relationship to Conflict: Approaches to Transforming Conflict into Opportunity

About the Series

Advancing Justice in the Community Food Sector is a series of four workshops designed for folks — especially BIPOC — working in community-based programs and organizations that revolve around food. Working in these spaces, it's crucial to have the latest tools, knowledge, and skills to build pathways for professional career advancement.

Through this workshop series, participants will learn and engage with subject matter around: BIPOC solidarity across the non-profit sector, storytelling as a tool for impact, and more.

About this Workshop

Our Relationship to Conflict: Approaches to Transforming Conflict into Opportunity

How we respond to conflict is shaped by our experiences, values and learned strategies for safety. This workshop invites participants to reflect on their relationship to conflict and explore tools that can turn difficult conversations into opportunities for understanding, accountability and stronger collaboration.

Our Speakers

Kaydeen Bankasingh (she/her) is a Toronto-based community mediator, facilitator, and community builder who believes that honest conversations can transform relationships and strengthen communities. For more than 15 years, she has worked alongside residents, organizations, and grassroots leaders to navigate conflict, build trust, and create spaces where people can listen, learn, and move forward together. Her approach blends mediation, restorative dialogue, and asset-based community development to support communities in turning tension into understanding and collaboration. When she’s not facilitating tough conversations, Kaydeen brings the same spirit of care and curiosity to raising her children, practicing mindfulness, and nurturing the community connections that keep us all grounded.

Kanaka Kulendran (they/ them) is a non-binary Tamil migrant with ancestral roots based in Valvettithurai, Eelam, a.k.a northern Sri Lanka. They are grateful to call T’karanto home. They have spent over 15 years working in the non-profit sector, on the frontlines, in management roles, and as a facilitator. Their sector experience spans Community Development, Settlement, Food Justice & Food Security, and Youth & Education. In all of these spaces they have witnessed and navigated the many complexities of interpersonal dynamics- from moments of deep connection to times of tension and conflict. Throughout these experiences, deep listening and a commitment to strengthen connection have been guiding approaches to moving from breakdown to breakthrough. Today, Kanaka continues to support friends, family, community, and clients in navigating challenging dynamics, conflicts and moments of stuckness. In their spare time, they spend a lot of time engaging with the more-than-human world, participating in earth-working projects and hanging out on the Cobechenong (a.k.a The Humber) River.

Priority Ticketing

As part of our ongoing commitment to equity and justice, we are prioritizing access to these workshops for Black and Indigenous people and people of colour (BIPOC).

Priority tickets for these workshops will be made available for BIPOC individuals and BIPOC-led organizations and grassroots community groups who do not have access to large operating budgets to cover the costs of staff training. A limited number of General Admission tickets will also be available, and we will open up a waitlist as needed.

Logistics

All workshops in the series will take place online via Zoom. After registering for the event, you will have access to the online event page, where you can find the Zoom link once available. We will also email the Zoom details to all registrants closer to the date of the workshop.

Accessibility

FoodShare strives to host inclusive, accessible events that allow everyone to fully engage. To request an accommodation or for inquiries about accessibility, please contact jade at jade@foodshare.net.

• An option for closed captioning via Zoom will be available during the event
• A phone-in option will also be available

About FoodShare

FoodShare is a Toronto-based food justice organization, advocating for the right to food, and working to challenge the systemic barriers that keep people from accessing the food they need to thrive. Learn more at www.foodshare.net