HAND-HELD was an [un]conference that explored how digital storytelling and new media can be harnessed to improve health care when the tools of creation are placed in the hands of citizens.

The day-long event was the culmination of a three-year experiment in socially-engaged media-making undertaken by the National Film Board of Canada - a filmmaker-in-residence project at St. Michael's Hospital.

The event showcased the remarkable results of an 18-month participatory media project, I WAS HERE. We put digital cameras into the hands of young mothers who have experienced homelessness to document their lives, and their experiences with the healthcare system. Their photography and video work were the starting point for the conversations during the day.

HAND-HELD was an [un]conference; the content of the sessions is driven and created by the participants.

HAND-HELD brought together a small, hand-picked selection of health-care professionals, academics, media-makers, politicians, decision-makers and young parents who have experienced homelessness - all experts - in a unique open-source day to envision our collective future of health-care in a democratic and digital age.

HAND-HELD began with an opening address by Toronto Mayor, David Miller.

Participants included Reps frm The Honourable Deb Matthews Office (Ontario Minister of Youth and Child Services), Tonya Lee Williams (founder of Reel World Film Festival, and actor from The Young and the Restless) and Dr. Michael Evans (Director of the Health Media Lab at the Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute of St. Michael's Hospital.)

Check back here soon for the short film about the unconference.