Glendon’s new, bilingual, graduate-level School of Public Affairs, which opened its doors last fall, will hold its first major conference April 3 and 4, on the Glendon campus.
The conference titled, “Public Institutions and Canada’s Future”, will assess the role and current state of public institutions, examining those within Canada, as well as international institutions in which Canada is a member.
Right: Glendon Principal Kenneth McRoberts
“The topics of this conference reflect the broad scope of the new school”, said Glendon Principal Kenneth McRoberts, who is also the school’s acting director. "On April 3 and 4, we plan to hone in on the settings and activities of public institutions, rather than on the analysis of public administration.”
The conference, hosted by McRoberts, offers five panel discussions over two days on topics that are both current and relevant. Topics include the competence, capacity and trust of public institutions; public service renewal – with a view to what is required in the future; Canada’s role in promoting human rights and multilateralism at home and on the international scene; and a look at what a new Canadian federation might be.
Four well-known speakers will make short presentations for each panel topic, followed by an open discussion which will welcome participation from the floor. The list of panellists includes official language commissioner Graham Fraser; Toronto Star columnist and political commentator Chantal Hébert; former federal minister of transport David Collenette; Chaviva Hosek, president and CEO, Canadian Institute for Advanced Research; Ontario deputy minister of citizenship & immigration Joan Andrew, and many more.
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| Above: From left, Joan Andrew, David Collenette, Graham Fraser, Chantal Hébert and Chaviva Hosek |
A highlight of the conference is the keynote presentation at Friday’s luncheon talk by former deputy prime minister and former finance minister John Manley. Currently a senior counsel at McCarthy Tétrault LLP, Manley provides strategic advice in matters relating to public affairs, including trade, telecommunications, security and finance.
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Right: Former federal finance minister and deputy prime minister John Manley will deliver the conference’s luncheon address
“It is of paramount importance at this juncture in Canada to review the role of public institutions and to assess how they can be sources of innovation and leadership in the coming decades”, said McRoberts. “A major focus of the new School of Public Affairs at Glendon is to promote exchange and knowledge transfer between scholars and public sector leaders. Our first conference is designed to be that kind of forum, with each panel combining members of both groups.”
The conference will be fully bilingual, in line with one of the school’s fundamental mandates, and speakers will be free to use French or English. Simultaneous translation will be provided.
For a complete list of participants, the conference program and registration information, visit the Glendon School of Public Affairs Web site.
Submitted to YFile by Glendon communications officer Marika Kemeny.