Victoria Forum 2026
THEMES
Victoria Forum 2026: Trust, Justice and Wellbeing
Hosted by Members of the Senate of Canada, the University of Victoria and Royal Roads University, Victoria Forum 2026 will convene on the traditional territory of the Lək̓ʷəŋən peoples (Songhees and Esquimalt Nations). Rooted in place and open to the world, the Forum brings leaders, scholars, practitioners and youth together to navigate a turbulent era – and to move from diagnosis to renewal.
Why now
Across societies, trust is eroding, injustice persists and the world is under mounting strain from economic disruption, climate change and their impacts on health. Yet this moment also opens space for courage, imagination and shared responsibility.
Building on previous Forums – 2017 (diversity and inclusion), 2020 (bridging divides), 2022 (building trust), 2024 (regenerative economies) and 2025 (shifting the trajectory) – Victoria Forum 2026 advances a pragmatic agenda: strengthening institutions, widening the circle of justice and restoring our ecosystems.
Our purpose
Regeneration is the organizing idea of 2026 – not only ecological renewal, but economic, social and civic revitalization too. We focus on three interdependent sub-themes:
Building Trust: Invigorate democratic practice and human rights; re-imagine cooperation in a multipolar world; counter disinformation; renew confidence in public, private and civic institutions; and ground reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples as a foundation for shared legitimacy.
Fostering Justice: Confront widening inequalities and exclusions; embed fairness, empathy and reciprocity in governance and markets; and advance recognition, reconciliation and redistribution as pathways to durable peace and social cohesion.
Promote wellbeing: Move beyond “doing less harm” to active restoration — encompassing economic, social, ecological and physical health; and braid Indigenous knowledge with science and innovation to nurture our collective wellbeing for future generations.
How we work
Victoria Forum 2026 is designed for action. Plenary dialogues set the vision; parallel sessions and workshops translate ideas into implementable solutions. An intergenerational lens runs through the program, centring young leaders as co-designers and co-decision-makers. Every session is anchored in three principles: (i) Action orientation – define concrete commitments and coalitions; (ii) Evidence-based dialogue – pair lived experience with rigorous analysis; and (iii) Inclusivity – welcome diverse peoples, places and perspectives.
Canada’s contribution
While not immune to polarization, Canada can model a constructive path: multilateralism with integrity; empathy and inclusion as strengths; and reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples as nation-building in practice. This includes advancing the TRC Calls to Action, implementing UNDRIP, honouring Indigenous jurisdiction and embracing Two-Eyed Seeing to guide co-stewardship of ecosystems and community well-being.
What to expect
Over three days, participants will engage in plenaries that frame the stakes and opportunities for trust, justice and planetary healing; parallel sessions that surface sector-specific levers — from civic institutions and financial systems to technology, education and local governance; and hands-on workshops that build shared tools, metrics and partnerships to carry the work forward beyond the Forum. Victoria Forum 2026 is a space to reckon honestly, repair relationships and regenerate systems. Join us in Victoria to rebuild trust, foster justice and promote our collective wellbeing!
In a changing world, we must choose hope, courage and collaboration.