Minister of Canadian Heritage Hosts Meeting on Diversity and Culture
MONTREAL, January 24, 2003 -- Minister of Canadian Heritage Sheila Copps today hosted the third of five preparatory meetings for the upcoming Minister's Forum on Diversity and Culture. This Forum, which will be co-hosted by Minister Copps and Secretary of State (Multiculturalism) (Status of Women) Jean Augustine, will take place at the Canadian Museum of Civilization, in Gatineau, Quebec, on April 22 and 23, 2003.The Minister's Forum on Diversity and Culture will seek to find ways to better reflect Canada's diversity in cultural policies and programs. It will help increase knowledge throughout the Government of Canada of the possibilities that culturally diverse communities represent and of the challenges that they face in gaining access to cultural programs.
"In Winnipeg, Vancouver, and now Montreal, creators who are participating in these preparatory meetings confirm that we are on the right track as we develop the program for the Forum," said Minister Copps. "The 2001 Census data on the ethno-cultural diversity released three days ago underlines how Canada has welcomed people from around the world. This has made us more open and dynamic as a society. Our goal is to ensure that the opportunities for all Canadians to participate in the cultural life of Canada keep pace with the increasingly rich and diverse reality of our society," added Minister Copps.
"The Forum will represent an opportunity for our artists from various cultural communities to forge ties, exchange ideas, and take an active part in the decision-making process of their Government," said Secretary of State Augustine.
The Montreal regional meeting, held in the Panoramique Hall at the Montreal Science Centre, provided an opportunity to consult with Quebec artists and community leaders on cultural issues, and to build on discussions that took place at the two previous meetings in Winnipeg and Vancouver.
An analysis by prominent academic and member of the Forum Steering Committee, Jack Jedwab, was made available at the meeting. It highlights key information about the 2001 Census as it relates to diversity and culture.
Ethno-cultural and visible minority communities, Aboriginal people, cultural organizations, artists, directors and producers, and academics are among those involved in preparatory discussions leading up to the Minister's Forum on Diversity and Culture. Government participants include representatives of Canadian Heritage and its Portfolio Agencies. Prominent private and non-profit sector leaders in the arts community are also involved.
Two other pre-forum meetings will take place in Halifax (February 20) and Toronto (March 7).
Information :
Sonya-Kim St-Julien
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of
Canadian Heritage
(819) 997-7788
Naline Rampersad
Press Secretary
Office of the Secretary of State
(Multiculturalism) (Status of Women)
(819) 997-9900
-BACKGROUNDER-
MINISTER'S FORUM ON DIVERSITY AND CULTURE
The Minister's Forum on Diversity and Culture will be co-hosted by Minister of Canadian Heritage Sheila Copps and Secretary of State (Multiculturalism) (Status of Women) Jean Augustine, at the Canadian Museum of Civilization, in Gatineau, Quebec, on April 22 and 23, 2003.
PURPOSE OF THE FORUM
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
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 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. At the same time, there is an increasing demand for diverse cultural expression.
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 are holding a series of pre-forum meetings across the country, to invite active participation in planning the Forum, in order to ensure that it meets its objectives. Pre-forum meetings have taken place in Winnipeg (November 13, 2002), Vancouver (January 14, 2003) and Montreal (January 24, 2003). Two other meetings will be held in Halifax (February 20), and Toronto (March 7).
ORGANIZATION OF THE FORUM
A Steering Committee
Planning for the Forum is guided by a Steering Committee representing a broad range of expertise and knowledge in the field of diversity and culture in Canada. The Committee's role is 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 will emphasize 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 will be invited. They will be artists and creators; producers and presenters; distributors; educators; representatives of the private and not-for-profit sectors; and decision-makers from Canadian Heritage and the Portfolio Agencies. As well, the general public will have access to the Forum, through a Diversity and Culture Web site.
ACROSS-THE-BOARD CHANGE
The goal of the Forum is to achieve a better reflection of diversity in our cultural products and institutions. 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) will provide groupings to facilitate discussion.
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