Community dialogues

One of the things that makes Canada’s World unique is our citizen-driven model. By hearing new voices and inspiring dialogue we seek out fresh perspectives on both emerging and existing policy challenges. We strive to be inclusive, and to reach out to communities historically excluded from decision-making on international policy. Such communities include ethnocultural, diaspora, newcomer and immigrant, women’s, youth, aboriginal and other groups.

Key Events

Over the course of 2008, Canada's World held dozens of events with Canadians all across the country. The events listed here provide a small sample; for more information on our events and outreach, visit the Reports section of our website.

	STRIKING A BALANCE - THE ECONOMY AND ENVIRONMENT (November 17th to 24th, Atlantic Canada) These public dialogues brought together community members, business leaders, NGOs and students from throughout the Atlantic to explore the relationship between the climate crunch and the credit crisis, and their implications for Canada's role in the world.
	CANDIDATES' FORUM ON GLOBAL POVERTY (October 7th, Vancouver) During the 2008 election, Canada's World and collaborating organization Engineers Without Borders brought together candidates Peter Prontzos (NDP) Hedy Fry (Liberal Party) and Jim Stephenson (Green Party) for an interactive political forum. Excellent questions from the audience gave candidates an opportunity to share their views on international trade, aid, debt and making Canada a model global citizen.
	FOOD FOR TALK (July 29th, Toronto) Hosted by Evergreen, Engineers Without Borders, Canadian Merit Scholarship Foundation and Canada's World, Food for Talk brought together over 200 Canadians for a full-day dialogue on the global food crisis. Participants heard presentations by expert guest lecturers, and shared their visions for Canada's role in the world food chain.
	MULTICULTURALISM and CANADA'S WORLD (July 29th, Toronto) Together with collaborating organizations the Laurier Institution and UBC Continuing Studies, Canada's World hosted a public lecture with pollster and thought leader Michael Adams.
	ROUNDTABLE ON INDIGENOUS RIGHTS (July 5th - 6th, Winnipeg) Canada is home to over one million Indigenous people, representing hundreds of unique histories, languages, and cultural traditions. Canada's World brought Canadians together to raise questions about Indigenous rights. Guest speaker Jacqueline Romanow's talk, entitled "Canada: A History of Rights and Wrongs," provided the jumping-off point for this full-day dialogue.
	FOOD FOR TALK (May 21st, Vancouver) Our first Food for Talk brought Canadians together for a full-day dialogue on the global food crisis. Over 100 participants spent the day hearing from experts and sharing their own visions for the global food system in light of current events.
	HUMANITARIAN AID AND CONFLICT (March 29th, Winnipeg) On March 29th 2008, Canada's World hosted a public dialogue on humanitarian aid in conflict at the University of Winnipeg.

Our Goal

If we seek to have an international policy that meaningfully addresses the new realities facing Canada, engaging diverse communities in dialogue on international policy is more than an aspiration - it is a necessity. Our story would be incomplete without representation from these communities.

Ethnocultural, aboriginal and women’s groups are also key stakeholders in many aspects of international policy. Such policy issues include the environment, trade, indigenous rights, international relations, communications and immigration. Receiving their insight and perspective in these areas is crucial to the success of our dialogues.

The ultimate goal of the Canada’s World Community Outreach Strategy is to infuse a new vision for Canada with the expertise, thinking and fresh perspectives of our diverse communities. This thinking may help Canada chart a new course that is grounded in historical experience but expresses a future-oriented collective sense of our values, interests and assets in the global arena.

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