Minister of Canadian Heritage and Secretary of State (Multiculturalism) (Status of Women) Launch the Forum on Diversity and Culture
GATINEAU, April 22, 2003 -- Minister of Canadian Heritage Sheila Copps and Secretary of State (Multiculturalism) (Status of Women) Jean Augustine today officially launched the Minister's Forum on Diversity and Culture, in the presence of more than 500 decision-makers and representatives of cultural communities. This gathering will be held at the Canadian Museum of Civilization over the next two days.The Forum seeks to find ways to ensure that the Government of Canada's cultural policies and programs better reflect Canada's diversity. It will increase the Government of Canada's understanding of the ways in which cultural communities can further enrich Canadian culture and heritage, as well as of the challenges they face in gaining access to cultural programs.
"Five public consultations were held in Winnipeg, Vancouver, Montreal, Halifax, and Toronto in preparation for the Forum," said Minister Copps. "Now, it is time for us to work together to identify the challenges we must face in order to better offer all Canadians the opportunity to participate in the cultural life of our increasingly multicultural society."
"The Forum represents an opportunity for artists from various cultural and racial communities to forge ties, exchange ideas, and take an active part in the decision-making process of their Government in the area of arts and culture," said Secretary of State Augustine.
A Web site (http://www.diversityandculture.gc.ca) has been created to allow artists to comment on the issues addressed at the regional meetings and at the Forum itself. The Web site also makes it possible for the public to view the Forum's plenary sessions via a Web cast.
Ethno-cultural and visible minority communities, Aboriginal peoples, cultural organizations, artists, directors, producers, and academics were among those involved in preparatory discussions leading up to the Minister's Forum on Diversity and Culture. Among Government participants were representatives of Canadian Heritage and its Portfolio agencies, including the National Film Board, the Canada Council for the Arts, and Telefilm Canada. Prominent private and non-profit sector leaders in the arts community were also involved.
Via Rail and First Air have agreed to sponsor transportation of participants to the Forum.
Information :
Sonya-Kim St-Julien
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage
(819) 997-7788
Catherine Gagnaire
Press Secretary
Office of the Secretary of State
(Multiculturalism) (Status of Women)
(819) 997-9900
BACKGROUNDER Ñ 1
The Minister's Forum on Diversity and Culture is co-hosted by Minister of Canadian Heritage Sheila Copps and Secretary of State (Multiculturalism) (Status of Women) Jean Augustine. The Forum is being held at the Canadian Museum of Civilization, in Gatineau, Quebec, on April 22 and 23, 2003.
PURPOSE OF THE FORUM
The Forum aims to bring culturally diverse communities and cultural decision makers together, and to find ways to better reflect Canada's diversity in our cultural policies and programs.
OBJECTIVES OF THE FORUM
To increase knowledge among cultural decision makers of the needs and capacity of culturally diverse communities
To increase knowledge among culturally diverse communities of the availability of national cultural programs and activities
To build on the experiences and expertise of communities and cultural institutions
To facilitate networking among participants and strengthen relationships
To celebrate culturally diverse artistic expression
CONTEXT
Rapidly changing Canadian demographics challenge the traditional formulation of cultural policy and programming.
PRE-FORUM MEETINGS
During the months leading up to the Forum, Minister of Canadian Heritage Sheila Copps and Secretary of State (Multiculturalism) (Status of Women) Jean Augustine held a series of pre-Forum meetings across the country to invite participation in planning the Forum, in order to ensure that it meets its objectives. Pre-Forum meetings were held in Winnipeg (November 2002), Vancouver (January 2003), Montreal (January 2003), Halifax (February 20), and Toronto (March 2003).
ORGANIZATION OF THE FORUM
Planning for the Forum was guided by a Steering Committee representing a broad range of expertise and knowledge in the field of diversity and culture. The Committee's role was to provide advice to the Department of Canadian Heritage on the Forum's structure and content, as well as on the continued evolution of diversity and culture.
A PARTICIPATORY APPROACH
The Forum emphasizes participation and discussion, drawing on the experiences, perceptions and opinions of the participants, as well as those of cultural decision makers.
Participants from across the country have been invited. They include artists, producers, broadcasters, distributors, academics, representatives of the private and not-for-profit sectors, and decision makers from Canadian Heritage and its Portfolio agencies, which include the National Film Board, the Canada Council for the Arts, and Telefilm Canada. As well, the general public can have access to the Forum through the Diversity and Culture Web site.
ACROSS-THE-BOARD CHANGE
The goal of the Forum is to ensure a better representation of our diversity in our cultural products and institutions. Discussions will fall into three categories: the arts (visual, media, literary, performing, and interdisciplinary), heritage (museums, archives, libraries, public galleries, and collections), and media (film, video, publishing, broadcasting, sound recording, and new media).
BACKGROUNDER Ñ 2
TOPICS OF DISCUSSION
These questions were developed in response to issues raised during the regional pre-Forum meetings.
Audience Development
How can we build and share audiences?
Infrastructure
What can be done to broaden access to existing performance venues, and to create new spaces for other arts groups to have a home?
Outreach
What needs to be done to increase connections between diverse communities and Canadian Heritage Portfolio officials?
Systemic Barriers
Acknowledging that there are still systemic barriers, what measures can be taken to continue to level the playing field?
Capacity Building
How can the Canadian Heritage Portfolio more effectively help build strong organizations?
Resources/Strategic Programs
How can we prioritize the allocation of resources and services to be able to support the diversity of cultural expression in Canada?
Representation
How can we improve representation at the decision-making level?
Application Process
Recognizing the responsibility of managing public funds, how can we balance accountability with better access and faster turnaround times?
Professional Development
What kinds of professional development programs are needed?
Partnerships
What incentives are needed to encourage partnerships that are mutually beneficial to all parties?
[ Media Room ]
