360: PROSPERITY
September 21, 9am-10:30am

Immigration is a benefit, not a cost. Prosperity and innovation are fueled, not undermined by diversity. To some, this is self-evident. 360: Prosperity explores the economics of inclusion. How are newcomers contributing to national economies? Do our systems block or facilitate their progress and creativity? What is the relationship between becoming a citizen and the individual’s economic contributions? The immigrant/new citizen entrepreneur is little understood. Can new language and new concepts help explain the good business of diversity?

HOST
Charlie Foran, Chief Executive Officer, Institute for Canadian Citizenship (ICC)

FRAMERS
Shamina Singh, President, MasterCard Center for Inclusive Growth
Rabin Baldewsingh, Deputy-Mayor, The Hague
Sol Guy, Founder, DAIS; and Creative Producer
Madeleine Redfern, Mayor of Iqaluit

INTERVENERS
Bessma Momani, 2016 6 Degrees-CIGI Fellow and CIGI Senior Fellow
Robert Johnson, President, Institute for New Economic Thinking
Zabeen Hirji, Chief Human Resources Officer, RBC
Rohinton Medora, President, Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI)
Chima Nkemdirim, Chief of Staff to Mayor of Calgary

EXCHANGES
Simultaneous Exchanges (breakout sessions) addressing the issues at hand
11am-12pm

1. Prosperity in Cities: A Conversation Among Mayors

In the 21st century, the vast majority of humans live in cities. How are the economies of our cities being transformed by newcomers? Are urban centres able to keep pace with so much change?

HOST
Sevaun Palvetzian, Chief Executive Officer, CivicAction

FRAMERS
Naheed Nenshi, Mayor of Calgary
Madeleine Redfern, Mayor of Iqaluit
Rabin Baldewsingh, Deputy-Mayor of The Hague

Location Theatre Space

 

2. Coffeehouse: Prosperity

For centuries coffeehouses have been meeting spots for lively debates about current events, politics, art and culture. Following 360: Prosperity, the Coffeehouse will bring people together to continue the conversation. Each table will be hosted by a facilitator, and outcomes will be shared.

COFFEEMASTER
Abdul-Rehman Malik, London-based journalist, educator and organizer

Location Citizen Space

 

3. The New Entrepreneurs

Building on 360: Prosperity, this discussion explores the findings of three separate reports on new entrepreneurs and prosperity. How aware are most of us of this phenomenon? Is Canada leading the way in encouraging new entrepreneurs, or do we give ourselves too much credit?

HOST
John Stackhouse, Senior Vice-President - Office of the CEO, RBC

FRAMERS
Robert Johnson, President, Institute for New Economic Thinking
Paula Martin, Advisor to the CEO, VanCity Credit Union
Rohinton Medhora, President, Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI)

Location Seminar 1

 

4. The Sidra Project

The Sidra Project invites participants to engage in a virtual reality viewing of Clouds Over Sidra, by filmmaker Gabo Arora. The film tells the story of life inside a refugee camp in Jordan through the eyes of a 12-year-old girl, giving viewers a unique and moving perspective. This project is a collaboration with the United Nations and Artscape. Visit thesidraproject.ca.

Location Seminar 2