BIEN 2026 Programme
Congress Booklet Part 2
Here’s a day-by-day general guide to what’s happening from August 19-22 (subject to potential adjustments in the final programme so check for exact times). All events are in-person (with virtual access to some congress plenaries).
Wednesday, August 19
1:30 to 6:00 p.m., Holy Trinity Church, 10 Trinity Square
Pre-congress meeting focused on building the basic income movement in Canada. Open to Canadians who only want to attend this day and register for it separately, and to BIEN registrants.
4:00 to 7:00 p.m., TRSM building, 55 Dundas St. W., 7th floor.
Congress registration open. You’ll be greeted by volunteers at street level.
5:30 to 7:30 p.m., TRSM building, 55 Dundas St. W., 7th floor.
Documentary shown courtesy of the Piloters Network that’s meeting earlier in the day and opening up the documentary to BIEN registrants (arrive a bit early to register for your access badge)
6:30 to 9:00 p.m., Electric Mind, 200 Adelaide St. W.
A Toronto-based casual meet-up organized by UBIWorks for people working on or curious about basic income, including prominent locals who may not be able to attend the Congress.
Thursday - Saturday
August 20th to 22nd
Thursday, August 20
TRSM building, 55 Dundas St. W.
*Lunch will be provided on site, as well as morning and afternoon coffee breaks.
8:00 a.m. – Congress registration desk opens
9:00 – The official Opening of the Congress and a Plenary on the Polycrisis.
11:30 to 6:00 – A series of 24 breakout sessions of either 60 or 90 minutes. In each time slot, there will be six sessions happening simultaneously. Such difficult choices to make.
6:00 to 8:00 – A reception for informal conversation and an occasion to celebrate BIEN’s 40th Anniversary! There will be light food—and cake.
Friday, August 21
TRSM
*The Lunch period is longer on Friday and open so people can explore the neighbourhood and its variety of food. Coffee breaks will be provided on site.
9:00 a.m. – Plenary on the Polycrisis
10:00 to 5:30 – Breakout sessions, again 24, with four sets of six simultaneous sessions.
6:00 to 8:00 p.m.- Film screening of Do it BIEN with its director Simon Pesta, on the creation of BIEN in 1986 and what, 40 years on, continues to motivate its founders and new generations of activists to stay so committed to this concept of unconditional basic income, especially now in our time of polycrisis.
Saturday, August 22
TRSM
*Lunch and coffee breaks will be served on site.
9:00 to 11:00 – BIEN General Assembly (BIEN’s executive and governance meeting)
11:00 to 11:15 – Coffee will be served as the GA ends and the majority of registrants arrive to begin breakout sessions.
11:15 to 5:00 – Breakout sessions.
5:00 to 5:30 – Closing plenary and passing the torch to Poland as next year’s host.
Attend the Congress
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