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Lucille Pacey is the Executive Director of Vancouver’s Arts Umbrella, which operates the Sarah McLachlan Music Outreach Program for children who might not otherwise get the opportunity to play instruments. Enbridge sponsors the Outreach Program through our Building Sustainable Communities investment program.

Do you have a vision for how we could achieve sustainable communities?: I think at the most basic level art must play a role. Art provides an understanding and appreciation of diversity and an appreciation of who we are. I think art provides a channel of communication that surpasses language and language barriers. It’s really where creative thinking and innovation come from.; You see, in order for communities to survive, they need to be nimble. They need to be nimble in the way that they formulate their plans. They need to be able to change and move.; The only way they are going to be nimble is if they foster a creative spirit. So, to me, building sustainability is about investing in people.; But when you ask how we can achieve sustainable communities, I think what we should really be asking ourselves is: Where can we make the biggest impact? Of course I’m a bit biased here, but I think the greatest impact comes from working with our youngest community members – with our children.
Are there ways that we can meet the needs of the present without compromising the prospects of the younger generation?: I think so. I think it comes back to having people say, “I can make a difference.” You hear many people say, “Well, this is too big an issue for me. I’m just a sole individual and what can I do that’s going to make a change?” We need to help people understand that the small things are as important as the bigger things.
How do you help people understand the role that they can and should play when there are so many out there who haven’t joined in the conversation about sustainability? Is there a way to engage those people?: Yes. Through their kids. Because their kids are the ones that are exposed to this thinking and the kids are the ones who will go home and start conversations about this.; Our kids are the promise of our community. They are where we are going to go in the future. And as long as we don’t kill their innovation, as long as we don’t kill their creativity and their interest in learning, I think we are going to be okay.