Title of Event:

Name of Organisation:

Date and time of the session:

Cities of Diversity: Changing Places, Creating Success

Infrastructure Canada (Government of Canada)

Wednesday, June 21; 1:30 – 3:30 pm

Key Highlights

1. Estimated no of participants: 150
2. Stakeholder group representation at the event:

• Session Partners: City of Edmonton (Alberta), City of Toronto (Ontario), Halifax Regional Municipality (Nova Scotia), Town of St-Léonard (New Brunswick), Metropolis Canada, UNESCO.
• Other groups present included: local and national government officials; social planners; housing professionals; representatives of community-based organizations; researchers/students.

3. What were the expected objectives:

• To explore the implications of a diverse citizenry on goals of civic engagement, inclusion and urban sustainability.
• To identify and reflect upon actionable local strategies from across Canada and internationally that facilitate the development of urban settings that are reflective a diverse citizenry, drawing particular attention to the roles of local actors.

4. What did the networking event achieve:

• Learning: (1) overview of immigration and diversity across Canada; (2) local/practical strategies in four Canadian communities towards developing urban settings reflective of diversity; (3) global efforts through UNESCO and the Coalition of Municipalities Against Racism and Discrimination.
• Dialogue: participants further explored the role of local officials, the media and citizens/community-based organizations and media in fostering settings of diversity.
• Information exchange: Participants were invited to submit written comments on local strategies; this information will be distributed to participants before the end of July 2006; Metropolis Canada also released Our Diverse Cities (Volume 2).

2. What were the core issues identified in your event as they relate to the theme and sub-themes of WUFIII?

• The session’s issues were closely linked to the overarching WUF theme on social inclusion and cohesion, and specifically exploring questions of immigration and diversity. Public engagement was also central to discussions, as speakers and participants explored inclusive approaches to public engagement – whereby all members of a community are included in formal and informal processes and everyday activities.
• The WUF Background paper noted that: “Governance invokes more than just political strategy; it demands attention to differentiated social circumstances and needs within the community and to accommodating different cultural values and diversity” (37), and asks how we might ensure that all citizens are empowered to participate in the governing of the city, and in the opportunities that cities have to offer? Participants at this Networking Session shared strategies in response to these questions.
• Finally, the session was oriented towards the future, recognizing that “social sustainability” requires not only the integration of newcomers (and creation of inclusive labour market strategies), but also the recreation of urban environments (community institutions, governing processes, etc.) by new arrivals and those who have lived in a community for a long time—ensuring public engagement in multiple facets of community life.

3. What were the main points raised by panellists and participants in relation to these different issues? What new ideas have been generated as a result of the discussion?

• Canada’s communities demonstrate positive approaches in recognizing and celebrating diversity (i.e. of valuing people rather than building fences); however, challenges persist (e.g. public perceptions, media portrayals, normative understandings of “minority communities,” insufficient diversity within positions of authority).
• Issues vary from community to community, both within Canada and around the world. For instance, challenges may arise from issues related to the caste system  (Asia), relations with indigenous populations (Africa, Americas), immigration and diversity (Europe).
• Diversity includes considerations of culture, language, ethnicity, gender, orientation, physical/mental ability, rural/urban differences, among others. 
• We must each seek to be agents of change, moving continuously towards social transformation, pushing towards the ideal. Inclusion places demands on all of us as we ensure that our community institutions, political processes and everyday interactions are adaptive to a changing environment. 

4. What process steps have been identified in your event that could help turn ideas into operational reality?

• UNESCO is facilitating the development of the International Coalition of Municipalities Against Racism—with Regional Networks, many being launched in 2006. Joining enables communities to profile issues, engage the public, exchange ideas/experiences and develop plans.
• Municipal representatives shared a number of policy framework and Action Plan approaches oriented towards engaging diverse voices within local governance and social and economic development programs.
• Participants submitted oral and written comments on local strategies, to be distributed among participants in July, 2006, including:
• development of libraries and community centres (i.e. Vancouver Neighbourhood Houses) for sharing, learning, experiencing and performing;
• planning public awareness campaigns / school celebrations of multiculturalism;
• providing housing with appropriate supports to newcomers;
• engaging youth-at-risk in arts programs; 
• creating workbooks on diversity and inclusion for policy development exercises;
• developing community resources around sensitivity towards the homeless;
• internship, awards programs;
• conducting meetings, making print material available in multiple languages.
• The Durban Declaration and Action Programme on Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Racial Intolerance (2001) is a good basis to build on; need to return to this Framework.
• National governments can be called upon given legal obligations (through international treaties) to counter racism.