On Wed. Feb 13th, the Canadian Policy Research Networks (CPRN) will bring together “more than 100 community, business, and youth leaders” to launch their public policy research agenda as part of the CPRN Leadership Summit. (Source: CPRN E-Network bulletin, Feb 7/08).
Five challenges, identified through a consultation process lead by CPRN across Canada, will be addressed at the Summit, including: Citizenship, Diversity, Productivity, Health and our aging population and the Environment.
From the Feb 7th CPRN e-Network bulletin:
“… we want advice about what the public policy needs are to shape Canada’s response to these challenges so that we can shape our research to meet these needs” says Manson Singer. CPRN is committed to working with Canadians to find innovative policy approaches that will strengthen Canada and contribute to making it the fair, prosperous and inclusive society we seek.
“Canada has had great success as a nation and is a leader in the developed world. But, we have much to do to ensure that all our citizens share our great potential and future success. CPRN believes that citizens can make an important contribution to shaping Canada’s future through Connecting with Canadians research and dialogue”.
Of the more than 100 participants, surely issues of importance/relevance to immigrant children and families will be raised. Watch the CPRN for updates/reports coming out of the summit, promised in next week’s E-Network bulletin.
CPRN has posted documents related to the Summit and are inviting public participation in the ongoing work of the Connecting with Canadians initiative.
With regard to immigration, one of the public policy challenges identified is diversity and Canadian values and the initiative poses the question: “The Canadian mosaic is many hued, but are we sure it can fit together? “Canada has an increasingly diverse population, especially in our major cities. This rich diversity of Canadians needs to be recognized within a framework of respect for Canadian values. Systems are needed to work through differences that arise in a multi-ethnic, multi-racial democratic society. vibrant”.
For more information, see the pages devoted to the leadership summit, which includes the program agenda, a workbook and the synthesis report which records the findings of the initiative. Immigration is mentioned in the context of employment for newcomers and children are mentioned in the context of the need for high quality early learning and child care.