Event chairman Saul Klein said developing ideas for a better world is the subtitle for the event.
“The ambition on this is really grand,” said Klein, dean and Lansdowne professor of international business at the University of Victoria’s Gustavson School of Business
The Victoria Forum Canada @150: Promoting Diversity and Inclusion runs Nov. 17 to 19. It is being staged by the University of Victoria and Global Affairs Canada.
Klein is concerned about what is happening internationally as populist sentiments, fear of others and of diversity, and greater protectionism are on the rise.
Such views are disconcerting, he said. “We think there is an alternative that needs to be out there more.”
Six themes run through the conference:
• Diversity and economic prosperity
• Economics of Indigenous inclusiveness
• Geopolitics of diversity
• Defining climate justice
• Philanthropy, civil society and inclusive development
• Global trade and economics of diversity
The forum is aiming for discussions based on evidence, Klein said.
It will avoid the rhetoric and fear often seen in public debate these days. This includes discussion and media attention in places such as the U.S., but also in other countries where extreme right-wing groups are coming to power and stirring up fear about migrants and outsiders.
“What we are recognizing is that there is a Canadian alternative to what we are seeing elsewhere that needs to be better disseminated, better elaborated.”
Canada’s own experience has shown the benefits of a society that is open to trade, open to migration and open to investment, Klein said. This illustrates that “diversity is really a strength of our society, not a weakness.”
In December 2015, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau captured the attention of the world when he met with Syrian refugees, saying, “welcome to your new home.”
Diversity has always been part of Canada’s identity.
Data from the 2016 census released by Statistics Canada last month revealed the visible minority population has reached 7.7 million, which is 22.3 per cent of the overall population and seven times the number first reported in 1981.
As well, the federal government recently introduced a plan outlining a gradual increase in immigration numbers in the face of a plummeting birth rate and aging population.
The conference is drawing policy makers, academics, business people, non-governmental agencies and international participants, bringing their viewpoints to the event in a push to build bridges among the various interests.
Two former prime ministers are taking part: Kim Campbell and Paul Martin (by video link), as well as Assembly of First Nations Chief Perry Bellegarde, and Miles Richardson, the University of Victoria’s director of National Consortium for Indigenous Economic Development. Others include Juan-Jose Daboub, former managing director at the World Bank and former minister of finance for El Salvador, and Donald Kaberuka, past president of the African Development Bank.
A meeting is planned on Nov. 20, the day after the forum ends, to craft recommendations for government, business, academics and civil society, Klein said. “It’s timely. It’s topical. It’s important,” he said.
The event website is victoriaforum.ca.
