The Victoria CIC Branch is a key partner to the University of Victoria’s Victoria Forum, which in collaboration with Global Affairs Canada, launched the inaugural Victoria Forum to mark Canada’s 150th anniversary.

Focusing on, “Promoting Diversity and Inclusion,” the event will be held in Victoria on Nov. 17 – 19, 2017.

Bringing together policy makers, business leaders, academics, youth and leaders of civil society, the Victoria Forum will discuss ideas for a better and more inclusive world. Diversity and inclusion are at the heart of Canada’s agenda to promote prosperity and sustainability both at home and abroad, and will be the focus of this forum.

“When we first thought of the Victoria Forum concept, we didn’t anticipate how critical the conversation on diversity would become,” says Saul Klein, Dean of the Peter B. Gustavson School of Business and Chair of the Forum. “With the emergence of populist agendas, in the face of declining trust in our key institutions, there has been a trend towards increasing protectionism and anxiety about migration worldwide. As a result, the need to present an alternative narrative highlighting the benefits of diversity, openness and inclusiveness has become of vital importance.”

Participants in this international gathering, through a series of panels, plenaries and think-tank style sessions, will assess Canada’s successes and challenges to date in these areas and chart a way forward. Exploring Canada’s relationships with indigenous peoples across the country, and identifying opportunities to further advance Canada’s diversity agenda, domestically, and internationally are all part of the conversation.

“Global Affairs Canada is pleased to partner with the University of Victoria to hold this important forum on diversity and inclusion,” says Sébastien Beaulieu, the event’s Associate Co-chair‎, and Executive Director for Middle East Relations at Global Affairs Canada. Beaulieu, also an adjunct professor at the business school, adds that: “Diversity is our strength. It is a cornerstone of Canada’s ‎global connectedness. Our many diasporas in Canada, and the Canadians working and living abroad help us deliver Canada’s global trade, development and diplomatic agenda. We see it every day.”

In addition to the Gustavson School of Business, the Victoria Forum includes participation from UVic’s Centre for Asia-Pacific Initiatives, the Centre for Global Studies, the Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions, the National Consortium for Indigenous Economic Development, the Faculty of Law and the Office of the Vice President Research. Supporting partner organizations include the Conference Board of Canada, the Global Centre for Pluralism, the Philanthropic Foundations Canada, the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation, the World Wildlife Fund Canada, and the Canadian International Council Victoria Branch.

Speakers’ Biographies
Please visit the website http://www.victoriaforum.ca/ for information on our speakers and the event itself.

Event Partners
UVic, Global Affairs Canada, Conference Board of Canada, others

Dates
Friday November 17 – Sunday November 19, 2017

Schedule

Friday 17

3:00 PM Opening Plenary with Paul Martin, Kim Campbell (Victoria Conference Centre 720 Douglas St Victoria, BC V8W 3M7 )
4:30 PM Gala Reception
5:30 PM Gala Dinner

Saturday 18

8:00 AM Arrival, Registration
9:00 AM Plenary Session (A)
10:00 AM Break and Networking
10:45 AM Plenary Session (B)
11:45 AM Lunch and Networking
1:00 PM Plenary Session (C)
2:00 PM Break and Networking
2:45 PM Plenary Session (D)
3:45 PM Plenary Session (E)
6:30 PM Cultural/Performance Event

Sunday 19

8:00 AM Arrival, Registration
9:00 AM Plenary Session (F)
10:00 AM Break and Networking
10:45 AM Parallel Sessions Bloc 1
11:45 AM Lunch and Networking
1:00 PM Parallel Sessions Bloc 2
2:00 PM Break and Networking
2:45 PM Parallel Session Bloc 3
5:00 PM Closing Ceremony and Reception

Venue
University of Victoria
3800 Finnerty Road
Victoria, BC V8P 5C2

Registration
Available on Victoria Forum Website https://event-wizard.com/victoriaforum17/0/register/
Contact: racbrown@uvic.ca