Transforming Birthspace: A Global Colloquium

Join us at October 24 - 28, 2025 at OCAD University in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

About this Event

Transforming Birthspaces: A Global Colloquium is a transdisciplinary gathering of invited guest speakers who have diverse areas of expertise that offer unique insights into important considerations for birth environment architecture and design.

The conference is part of a global movement considering the overtly medicalized nature of birth spaces worldwide. Through research and knowledge mobilization we're considering how to create more awareness of the problems inherent in the present models of birth care, birth centre and maternity unit design.

Join us at the OCADU Waterfront Conference Centre and the Open Space Gallery 49 McCaul Street for an event filled with international speakers, transdisciplinary discussions, and a world of research focused on the value of the birth environment itself during this meaningful life moment.

Whether you're a healthcare professional, researcher, architect, designer, obgyn, midwife, policy maker or birth advocate, please join us to learn more about the project, share your insights, and envision a transformative way forward for better birth environment design.

More event information is available at www.transformingbirthspace.com

OCTOBER 24


🕑: 04:00 PM
Exhibition Opens

Info: PLEASE NOTE: All activities on October 24th will be held at OCAD University's Open Space Gallery at 49 McCaul Street Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

🕑: 05:00 PM - 07:00 PM
Colloquium Registration/Check In

Info: PLEASE NOTE: All activities on October 24th will be held at OCAD University's Open Space Gallery at 49 McCaul Street Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

🕑: 05:30 PM - 07:30 PM
Welcome Reception and Website Launch Event

Info: PLEASE NOTE: All activities on October 24th will be held at OCAD University's Open Space Gallery at 49 McCaul Street Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

OCTOBER 25


🕑: 09:00 AM - 09:30 AM
Breakfast

🕑: 09:30 AM - 01:00 PM
Session 1

Info: Keynote: Saraswathi Vedam.

Guest Speakers: Elizabeth Newnham, Rachel Olson, Lateef Ademola Lawal, Devi Soman

🕑: 01:00 PM - 02:00 PM
Lunch + Discussion Groups

🕑: 02:00 PM - 05:00 PM
Session 2

Info: Guest Speakers: Esben Bala Skouboe, Mayra Flores, Martina Hynan, Melanie Briggs

OCTOBER 26


🕑: 09:00 AM - 09:30 AM
Breakfast

🕑: 09:30 AM - 01:00 PM
Session 3

Info: Keynote: Marta Parra Casado.

Guest Speakers: Maralyn Foureur, Moshe Szyf, J. Davis Harte, Orli Dahan

🕑: 01:00 PM - 02:30 PM
Lunch + Discussion Groups

🕑: 02:30 PM - 05:00 PM
Session 4

Info: Guest Speakers: James Olcese, Doreen Balabanoff, Carolina Espinoza Sanhueza, Alessia Macchi

OCTOBER 27


🕑: 09:00 AM - 09:30 AM
Breakfast

🕑: 09:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Session 5

Info: Guest Speakers: Nicoletta Setola, Deb Polzin-Rosenberg, Anka Duer, Grace McLean

🕑: 12:30 PM - 02:30 PM
Lunch + Discussion

🕑: 02:30 PM - 05:00 PM
Session 6

Info: Outcomes Workshop / Closing Remarks

OCTOBER 28


🕑: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Morning Planning Meeting

Info: Discuss future of GBEDN.org and future collaborations

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