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Upcoming events.
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Oshawa Butt Blitz
Help Us Collect 1 Million Cigarette Butts Across Canada!
Cigarette butts are the most littered item in the world, making up 1 in 5 pieces of litter found during A Greener Future’s cleanups. This toxic waste harms wildlife, pollutes waterways, and releases microplastic into the environment. But together, we can make a difference!
Join us for the Butt Blitz—a high-energy, community-driven event where volunteers will remove cigarette litter from our local environment. This year, with the support of Unsmoke Canada Cleanups, we’re on a mission to collect 1 million cigarette butts across Canada in April!
What to Bring:
♻ An upcycled container (e.g., yogurt tub, coffee tin) to collect cigarette butts
🧤 Gloves or a litter picker for safe collection
💧 Reusable water bottle to stay hydrated
Why Join?
✔ Make a direct impact on your local environment
✔ Help raise awareness about the dangers of cigarette litter
✔ Be part of a nationwide movement for cleaner communities
✔ Meet like-minded people who care about sustainability
How to Get Involved:
Registration will open in March! Come back soon!

Colonel Sam Smith Park, Toronto
A Greener Future proudly presents our Nurdle Hunt program in partnership with the Great Global Nurdle Hunt. Venture with us to the stunning shores of Lake Ontario for a crucial endeavour in environmental conservation.
-
Nurdles are tiny plastic pellets, often no larger than a lentil, used as raw materials in the production of plastic products. Due to their size and buoyancy, they're easily dispersed and can be found littered along beaches worldwide. These seemingly innocuous pellets pose a significant threat to aquatic ecosystems, as they can be mistaken for food by aquatic life, leading to ingestion and entanglement. By removing nurdles from our shores, we're safeguarding the delicate balance of Lake Ontario's ecosystem.
-
Lake Ontario serves as a vital source of freshwater for millions of people and a habitat for diverse aquatic life. Yet, plastic pollution threatens its health and biodiversity. By participating in the Nurdle Hunt, you're directly contributing to the preservation of this precious ecosystem and mitigating the harmful impacts of plastic pollution on people and animals.
-
No need to fret about equipment! We'll equip you with all the necessary gear, including sifters, tweezers, and buckets, to ensure a safe and efficient nurdle hunting experience.

North Beach Provincial Park, PEC
A Greener Future proudly presents our Nurdle Hunt program in partnership with the Great Global Nurdle Hunt. Venture with us to the stunning shores of Lake Ontario for a crucial endeavour in environmental conservation.
-
Nurdles are tiny plastic pellets, often no larger than a lentil, used as raw materials in the production of plastic products. Due to their size and buoyancy, they're easily dispersed and can be found littered along beaches worldwide. These seemingly innocuous pellets pose a significant threat to aquatic ecosystems, as they can be mistaken for food by aquatic life, leading to ingestion and entanglement. By removing nurdles from our shores, we're safeguarding the delicate balance of Lake Ontario's ecosystem.
-
Lake Ontario serves as a vital source of freshwater for millions of people and a habitat for diverse aquatic life. Yet, plastic pollution threatens its health and biodiversity. By participating in the Nurdle Hunt, you're directly contributing to the preservation of this precious ecosystem and mitigating the harmful impacts of plastic pollution on people and animals.
-
No need to fret about equipment! We'll equip you with all the necessary gear, including sifters, tweezers, and buckets, to ensure a safe and efficient nurdle hunting experience.

POSTPONED: World Cleanup Day
POSTPONED DUE TO THUNDERSTORMS
Join us for a day of global impact!
What is World Cleanup Day?
World Cleanup Day is an annual global social action program aimed at combating the global solid waste problem, including the problem of marine debris. It is coordinated by the global organization Let's Do It! World, the headquarters is located in Tallinn, Estonia.
How We’re Participating:
We’ll host a drop-in event from 10 am - 3 pm at Marie Curtis Park in Etobicoke. Take your pick at picking up litter, nurdle hunting, or butt blitzing, or do all three! We’ll provide the equipment and instructions, we just need your helping hands. Stay for as long as you like.
Registration is not required, but if you sign up for an email reminder we’ll send you a message a couple of days before the event so you don’t forget to join us. Look for the check-in tent when you arrive to pick up your equipment and our staff will point you in the right direction.

Wellington Beach, PEC
A Greener Future proudly presents our Nurdle Hunt program in partnership with the Great Global Nurdle Hunt. Venture with us to the stunning shores of Lake Ontario for a crucial endeavour in environmental conservation.
-
Nurdles are tiny plastic pellets, often no larger than a lentil, used as raw materials in the production of plastic products. Due to their size and buoyancy, they're easily dispersed and can be found littered along beaches worldwide. These seemingly innocuous pellets pose a significant threat to aquatic ecosystems, as they can be mistaken for food by aquatic life, leading to ingestion and entanglement. By removing nurdles from our shores, we're safeguarding the delicate balance of Lake Ontario's ecosystem.
-
Lake Ontario serves as a vital source of freshwater for millions of people and a habitat for diverse aquatic life. Yet, plastic pollution threatens its health and biodiversity. By participating in the Nurdle Hunt, you're directly contributing to the preservation of this precious ecosystem and mitigating the harmful impacts of plastic pollution on people and animals.
-
No need to fret about equipment! We'll equip you with all the necessary gear, including sifters, tweezers, and buckets, to ensure a safe and efficient nurdle hunting experience.

Toronto Butt Blitz
We’ve teamed up with Unsmoke Canada Cleanups to host a fall edition of our popular program, the Butt Blitz. For two weeks in September register for one of our special events in locations across Ontario!
-
Cigarette butts account for 1 in 5 pieces of litter we find at our shoreline cleanups. In 2015, we ran our first-ever Butt Blitz — an action-oriented campaign focused on raising public awareness about cigarette litter, while simultaneously removing as much of it from the environment as possible.
Each spring, volunteers from across Canada pick up cigarette butts in their local communities, then send them to TerraCycle Canada for recycling. We hope to prevent future littering by raising awareness of the negative impacts that cigarette butt litter has on ecosystems and health.
-
Cigarette filters are made of plastic! As they degrade they release toxins and microplastics into the environment that are impossible to clean up. They are also a hazard to local wildlife and pets.
-
Bring a pair of garden gloves if you have some, or single-use gloves do the trick too. Bring a container you can repurpose for cleanup, an empty yogurt container or coffee tin will do the trick. We do have litter pickers on-site at some events if you’d like to borrow one.

Trenton Butt Blitz
We’ve teamed up with Unsmoke Canada Cleanups to host a fall edition of our popular program, the Butt Blitz. For two weeks in September register for one of our special events in locations across Ontario!
-
Cigarette butts account for 1 in 5 pieces of litter we find at our shoreline cleanups. In 2015, we ran our first-ever Butt Blitz — an action-oriented campaign focused on raising public awareness about cigarette litter, while simultaneously removing as much of it from the environment as possible.
Each spring, volunteers from across Canada pick up cigarette butts in their local communities, then send them to TerraCycle Canada for recycling. We hope to prevent future littering by raising awareness of the negative impacts that cigarette butt litter has on ecosystems and health.
-
Cigarette filters are made of plastic! As they degrade they release toxins and microplastics into the environment that are impossible to clean up. They are also a hazard to local wildlife and pets.
-
Bring a pair of garden gloves if you have some, or single-use gloves do the trick too. Bring a container you can repurpose for cleanup, an empty yogurt container or coffee tin will do the trick. We do have litter pickers on-site at some events if you’d like to borrow one.

Hamilton Butt Blitz
We’ve teamed up with Unsmoke Canada Cleanups to host a fall edition of our popular program, the Butt Blitz. For two weeks in September register for one of our special events in locations across Ontario!
-
Cigarette butts account for 1 in 5 pieces of litter we find at our shoreline cleanups. In 2015, we ran our first-ever Butt Blitz — an action-oriented campaign focused on raising public awareness about cigarette litter, while simultaneously removing as much of it from the environment as possible.
Each spring, volunteers from across Canada pick up cigarette butts in their local communities, then send them to TerraCycle Canada for recycling. We hope to prevent future littering by raising awareness of the negative impacts that cigarette butt litter has on ecosystems and health.
-
Cigarette filters are made of plastic! As they degrade they release toxins and microplastics into the environment that are impossible to clean up. They are also a hazard to local wildlife and pets.
-
Bring a pair of garden gloves if you have some, or single-use gloves do the trick too. Bring a container you can repurpose for cleanup, an empty yogurt container or coffee tin will do the trick. We do have litter pickers on-site at some events if you’d like to borrow one.

Sunnyside Beach, Toronto
A Greener Future proudly presents our Nurdle Hunt program in partnership with the Great Global Nurdle Hunt. Venture with us to the stunning shores of Lake Ontario for a crucial endeavour in environmental conservation.
This event is brought to you by C-Tow, a marine assistance company providing towing, salvage, and other services to boaters in distress. Learn more at c-tow.ca/
-
Nurdles are tiny plastic pellets, often no larger than a lentil, used as raw materials in the production of plastic products. Due to their size and buoyancy, they're easily dispersed and can be found littered along beaches worldwide. These seemingly innocuous pellets pose a significant threat to aquatic ecosystems, as they can be mistaken for food by aquatic life, leading to ingestion and entanglement. By removing nurdles from our shores, we're safeguarding the delicate balance of Lake Ontario's ecosystem.
-
Lake Ontario serves as a vital source of freshwater for millions of people and a habitat for diverse aquatic life. Yet, plastic pollution threatens its health and biodiversity. By participating in the Nurdle Hunt, you're directly contributing to the preservation of this precious ecosystem and mitigating the harmful impacts of plastic pollution on people and animals.
-
No need to fret about equipment! We'll equip you with all the necessary gear, including sifters, tweezers, and buckets, to ensure a safe and efficient nurdle hunting experience.

Sandbanks Provincial Park, PEC
A Greener Future proudly presents our Nurdle Hunt program in partnership with the Great Global Nurdle Hunt. Venture with us to the stunning shores of Lake Ontario for a crucial endeavour in environmental conservation.
-
Nurdles are tiny plastic pellets, often no larger than a lentil, used as raw materials in the production of plastic products. Due to their size and buoyancy, they're easily dispersed and can be found littered along beaches worldwide. These seemingly innocuous pellets pose a significant threat to aquatic ecosystems, as they can be mistaken for food by aquatic life, leading to ingestion and entanglement. By removing nurdles from our shores, we're safeguarding the delicate balance of Lake Ontario's ecosystem.
-
Lake Ontario serves as a vital source of freshwater for millions of people and a habitat for diverse aquatic life. Yet, plastic pollution threatens its health and biodiversity. By participating in the Nurdle Hunt, you're directly contributing to the preservation of this precious ecosystem and mitigating the harmful impacts of plastic pollution on people and animals.
-
No need to fret about equipment! We'll equip you with all the necessary gear, including sifters, tweezers, and buckets, to ensure a safe and efficient nurdle hunting experience.

Kingston Butt Blitz
We’ve teamed up with Unsmoke Canada Cleanups to host a fall edition of our popular program, the Butt Blitz. For two weeks in September register for one of our special events in locations across Ontario!
-
Cigarette butts account for 1 in 5 pieces of litter we find at our shoreline cleanups. In 2015, we ran our first-ever Butt Blitz — an action-oriented campaign focused on raising public awareness about cigarette litter, while simultaneously removing as much of it from the environment as possible.
Each spring, volunteers from across Canada pick up cigarette butts in their local communities, then send them to TerraCycle Canada for recycling. We hope to prevent future littering by raising awareness of the negative impacts that cigarette butt litter has on ecosystems and health.
-
Cigarette filters are made of plastic! As they degrade they release toxins and microplastics into the environment that are impossible to clean up. They are also a hazard to local wildlife and pets.
-
Bring a pair of garden gloves if you have some, or single-use gloves do the trick too. Bring a container you can repurpose for cleanup, an empty yogurt container or coffee tin will do the trick. We do have litter pickers on-site at some events if you’d like to borrow one.

Oshawa Butt Blitz
We’ve teamed up with Unsmoke Canada Cleanups to host a fall edition of our popular program, the Butt Blitz. For two weeks in September register for one of our special events in locations across Ontario!
-
Cigarette butts account for 1 in 5 pieces of litter we find at our shoreline cleanups. In 2015, we ran our first-ever Butt Blitz — an action-oriented campaign focused on raising public awareness about cigarette litter, while simultaneously removing as much of it from the environment as possible.
Each spring, volunteers from across Canada pick up cigarette butts in their local communities, then send them to TerraCycle Canada for recycling. We hope to prevent future littering by raising awareness of the negative impacts that cigarette butt litter has on ecosystems and health.
-
Cigarette filters are made of plastic! As they degrade they release toxins and microplastics into the environment that are impossible to clean up. They are also a hazard to local wildlife and pets.
-
Bring a pair of garden gloves if you have some, or single-use gloves do the trick too. Bring a container you can repurpose for cleanup, an empty yogurt container or coffee tin will do the trick. We do have litter pickers on-site at some events if you’d like to borrow one.

Hamilton Butt Blitz
We’ve teamed up with Unsmoke Canada Cleanups to host a fall edition of our popular program, the Butt Blitz. For two weeks in September register for one of our special events in locations across Ontario!
-
Cigarette butts account for 1 in 5 pieces of litter we find at our shoreline cleanups. In 2015, we ran our first-ever Butt Blitz — an action-oriented campaign focused on raising public awareness about cigarette litter, while simultaneously removing as much of it from the environment as possible.
Each spring, volunteers from across Canada pick up cigarette butts in their local communities, then send them to TerraCycle Canada for recycling. We hope to prevent future littering by raising awareness of the negative impacts that cigarette butt litter has on ecosystems and health.
-
Cigarette filters are made of plastic! As they degrade they release toxins and microplastics into the environment that are impossible to clean up. They are also a hazard to local wildlife and pets.
-
Bring a pair of garden gloves if you have some, or single-use gloves do the trick too. Bring a container you can repurpose for cleanup, an empty yogurt container or coffee tin will do the trick. We do have litter pickers on-site at some events if you’d like to borrow one.

Hamilton Beach A, Hamilton
A Greener Future proudly presents our Nurdle Hunt program in partnership with the Great Global Nurdle Hunt. Venture with us to the stunning shores of Lake Ontario for a crucial endeavour in environmental conservation.
-
Nurdles are tiny plastic pellets, often no larger than a lentil, used as raw materials in the production of plastic products. Due to their size and buoyancy, they're easily dispersed and can be found littered along beaches worldwide. These seemingly innocuous pellets pose a significant threat to aquatic ecosystems, as they can be mistaken for food by aquatic life, leading to ingestion and entanglement. By removing nurdles from our shores, we're safeguarding the delicate balance of Lake Ontario's ecosystem.
-
Lake Ontario serves as a vital source of freshwater for millions of people and a habitat for diverse aquatic life. Yet, plastic pollution threatens its health and biodiversity. By participating in the Nurdle Hunt, you're directly contributing to the preservation of this precious ecosystem and mitigating the harmful impacts of plastic pollution on people and animals.
-
No need to fret about equipment! We'll equip you with all the necessary gear, including sifters, tweezers, and buckets, to ensure a safe and efficient nurdle hunting experience.

Presqu’ile Provincial Park, Brighton
A Greener Future proudly presents our Nurdle Hunt program in partnership with the Great Global Nurdle Hunt. Venture with us to the stunning shores of Lake Ontario for a crucial endeavour in environmental conservation.
-
Nurdles are tiny plastic pellets, often no larger than a lentil, used as raw materials in the production of plastic products. Due to their size and buoyancy, they're easily dispersed and can be found littered along beaches worldwide. These seemingly innocuous pellets pose a significant threat to aquatic ecosystems, as they can be mistaken for food by aquatic life, leading to ingestion and entanglement. By removing nurdles from our shores, we're safeguarding the delicate balance of Lake Ontario's ecosystem.
-
Lake Ontario serves as a vital source of freshwater for millions of people and a habitat for diverse aquatic life. Yet, plastic pollution threatens its health and biodiversity. By participating in the Nurdle Hunt, you're directly contributing to the preservation of this precious ecosystem and mitigating the harmful impacts of plastic pollution on people and animals.
-
No need to fret about equipment! We'll equip you with all the necessary gear, including sifters, tweezers, and buckets, to ensure a safe and efficient nurdle hunting experience.
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It's Our Birthday!
It’s Our 10th Birthday!
Check back shortly to see how we’re celebrating this huge milestone!

Marie Curtis Park, Toronto
A Greener Future proudly presents our Nurdle Hunt program in partnership with the Great Global Nurdle Hunt. Venture with us to the stunning shores of Lake Ontario for a crucial endeavour in environmental conservation.
-
Nurdles are tiny plastic pellets, often no larger than a lentil, used as raw materials in the production of plastic products. Due to their size and buoyancy, they're easily dispersed and can be found littered along beaches worldwide. These seemingly innocuous pellets pose a significant threat to aquatic ecosystems, as they can be mistaken for food by aquatic life, leading to ingestion and entanglement. By removing nurdles from our shores, we're safeguarding the delicate balance of Lake Ontario's ecosystem.
-
Lake Ontario serves as a vital source of freshwater for millions of people and a habitat for diverse aquatic life. Yet, plastic pollution threatens its health and biodiversity. By participating in the Nurdle Hunt, you're directly contributing to the preservation of this precious ecosystem and mitigating the harmful impacts of plastic pollution on people and animals.
-
No need to fret about equipment! We'll equip you with all the necessary gear, including sifters, tweezers, and buckets, to ensure a safe and efficient nurdle hunting experience.
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2023 Annual General Meeting
You're invited to join our Annual General Meeting via Zoom on March 13th.
Come celebrate our wins, hear about the challenges that took place over the past year and find out what's in store for A Greener Future in 2024!
Agenda
7:00 pm - Welcome & Land Acknowledgement
7:10 pm - Business Proceedings
Assess Quorum
Accept Agenda
Review & Adopt Minutes from previous AGM
7:20 pm - Financial Report
7:25 pm - Impact Report
7:35 pm - Awards
7:40 pm - The Year Ahead
7:50 pm - Answering Questions from the audience
8:00 pm - Adjournment
or add to your calendar:
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Shoreline Screening - Georgina
Presented in partnership by the Stephen Leacock Theatre of Performing Arts and Georgina Public Library
Join an in-person screening of Shoreline: The Paddle Against Plastic. A documentary highlighting the impact of plastic pollution in The Great Lakes.
Discover the journey of Rochelle Byrne as she paddles 430km across Lake Ontario, bringing awareness to the impact plastics found in the water have on the environment.
Join us for a FREE screening followed by a question & answer period with Rochelle Byrne.
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The Stouffville Environmental Fair
The Stouffville Environmental Fair
Join us in Stouffville alongside various other community educators and environmental organizations! This fair's goal is to teach visitors how to live more sustainably. There will also be vendors selling recycled, pre-owned, and zero waste goods.

The Great Global Nurdle Hunt
Last October we took part in the Great Global Nurdle Hunt, and we’re very excited to take part again in 2022. We will be choosing a number of locations along the shores of Lake Ontario where we can facilitate nurdle hunts. We will provide the equipment and training to volunteers. We can also provide community service hours for students. Stay tuned for updates on times and locations as we get closer to the fall.
Fidra, a Scottish environmental charity, is on a mission to find these tiny microplastic discs as part of a global citizen science survey this October. By visiting your local beach, you will also join other nurdle hunters throughout the world in the effort to gather proof and hold the international plastics industry responsible for plastic waste and better plastic solutions.
What are Nurdles?
Credit - Extinction Rebellion Romsey
Nurdles are small plastic pellets (about the size of a lentil) used by the plastic industry to make almost all types of plastic products, from phone cases to plastic bags. For perspective – it takes about 500-1000 nurdles to make one plastic bottle, so there are trillions of nurdles produced worldwide every year.
The plastics industry is vast and complex. Nurdles are transported across the world, passed from giant production hubs to tiny microbusinesses and often handled many times on their journey to becoming plastic products. Small and lightweight, they can spill throughout the plastic supply chain and, where care is not taken, can be easily lost to the environment.
It is estimated that 230,000 tones of nurdles leak from global supply chains each year. Once in the environment, nurdles are almost impossible to clean up and can cause harm to marine life where mistaken for food and eaten. Read more about the problem: here.
Sign Up for Any of the Nurdle Hunting Events Below
As mentioned previously more information about these events will be announced closer to fall.
Marie Curtis Park, Toronto, ON
Sunnyside Beach, Toronto, ON
Bronte Beach, Oakville, ON
West Beach, Port Hope, ON
Hamilton Beach, Hamilton, ON
Bluffers Park, Scarborough, ON (Private Event)
Richard’s Memorial Park, Mississauga, ON (Private)
Humber Bay Park West, Toronto, ON (Private Event)
Why Nurdle Hunting is Important.
We want to see industry take responsibility of the pellets they handle and to stop this pollution at source. This means putting in place multiple layers of protection to reduce spills, and prevent any remaining spills being lost to the environment.
Evidence from our Global Nurdle Hunt is vital for this work. The Nurdle Map shows that people across the world are finding these plastic pellets washed up on their shores. Fidra harness this worldwide engagement by showcasing the fantastic work people are doing to show the global plastics industry and decision-makers that plastic pellet pollution is widespread and, importantly, people care about it.
This creates public pressure to hold industry accountable and implement solutions. By taking part you are helping to demonstrate how big this problem is and you’re helping to support calls to end plastic pellet pollution once and for all.
Last Years Results
Learn More about Nurdles Through Our Blog Posts
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She Shreds in partnership with Surf the Greats
We are happy to announce a partnership with Surf the Greats!
Join us for a weekend of freshwater surf and sisterhood! From our storefront at Surf the Greats to the Beaches skatepark and the sandy shores of Cherry Beach, we’ll be hosting a variety of activities and workshops to introduce you to the amazing community of women shredding the Great Lakes and to show you what Toronto surf culture is all about!
Beach Yoga and Beach Clean-up are open to ALL She Shreds participants, with no cap or fee to participate.
SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 10
SHE SHREDS: 9AM - 2PM @ CHERRY BEACH & BEACHES SKATEPARK
9:00 – 9:50 Beach Yoga (BYOMat or blanket)
10:00 – 10:45 Beach Clean-up with A Greener Future (Cherry Beach)
11:15 – 12:15 Flat Water Intro to Surf Clinic 1(Cherry Beach)
11:15 – 12:15 Carver Clinic 1 (Beaches Skatepark)
12:45 – 1:45 Flat Water Intro to Surf Clinic 2 (Cherry Beach)
12:45 – 1:45 Carver Clinic 2 (Beaches Skatepark)
She Shreds registration is open to all female-identified and non-binary humans looking to shred! No prior experience required.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 11
SURFER'S MARKET & SHE SHREDS CLOSING PARTY
12 – 4PM @ SURF THE GREATS
With our surf season right around the corner and so many fresh faces coming into our community this year, we are thrilled to bring back Surfer’s Market, an opportunity for people to sell the gear they no longer use so that others can get out there and do what they love! In addition, we will be selling a portion of our own rental and surf school fleet (surfboards, SUPs and wetsuits).
To sell your used gear, drop it off at Surf the Greats between Tuesday, September 6th and Friday September 9th. We will help you set your prices and our team will work hard to help you find a new home for your used gear.
In addition to Surfer’s Market, the shop will be popping off for our She Shreds closing party with vibes provided by DJ WAVES, FREE hot dogs and veggie dogs, FREE beer by Rally Beer co., and refreshing Yerba Mate by Guayaki. Our friendly crew will be available all day to assist you in finding the most suitable products for your water needs, and the best deals will be for the early birds so set your alarm clocks now! This is an event for the entire family and all are welcome!
Surfer's Market and closing party require no registration and are free and open to everyone in our community.
About SheShreds
She Shreds is an annual event hosted by Surf the Greats. From the onset, our goal has been to create and support an environment where local women feel welcome to experience Great Lakes surfing, with no cost or equipment barrier, and no prior experience required — just a willingness to try something new.
In our community, She Shreds is a time for surf and sisterhood. It’s when we reset and remind ourselves of why we love to surf on the Great Lakes. And, as we grow our community of lake surfers we remain mindful that the best communities are those which are welcoming, open, inclusive and representative.