Atlantic Metropolis Conference
INTERIM AGENDA

June 14 to 16, 2002
Dalhousie University and Saint Mary’s University
Halifax, Nova Scotia

 

CONFERENCE PROGRAM INFORMATION

A program detailing the keynote speakers, guests and panelists is forthcoming.

Friday, June 14

12 noon - Registration

1:00 - 5:00 pm Keynote Address, Welcome Plenary, and Plenary Sessions:

  • National Metropolis Priorities and Cross-cutting Policy Initiatives
  • Atlantic Immigration and Diversity Issues I: Municipal and Provincial Government Perspectives
  • Atlantic Immigration and Diversity Issues II: NGO Perspectives

5:30 - 7:00 pm Welcome Reception, Dalhousie University

Saturday, June 15

9:00 am - Keynote Address
9:30 am - 2:45 pm - Concurrent Workshops/Roundtable Discussions on Research Domains and Lunch
3:00 - 5:00 pm - Reports back from the Workshops
5:00 - 7:00 pm - Reception, Saint Mary’s University

Sunday, June 16

9:30 am - Keynote Address
10:00 am - Presentation of Goals and Governance
10:45 am - Panel Discussion: Forging Research Partnerships
11:45 am - Next Phase and Wrap-up

SUBSIDIES FOR CONFERENCE PARTICIPANTS

NGO Participants: A fund to subsidize travel and accommodation expenses for NGO participants is already in place. It is being administered separately by designated community groups. Please email the conference organizers if you are an NGO participant and would like to be put in contact with the appropriate organization.

Academic and Graduate Student Participants: The organizers expect to have some funding to assist in defraying travel and accommodation expenses for graduate students in the Atlantic region, and for academics travelling from Newfoundland. These funds will be dispersed after the conference on a pro-rated basis.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Lisa Monk and Nadia Stuewer, Tel: (902) 494-2790 Fax: (902) 494-1957

Email: metropolis.conference@dal.ca

CONFERENCE BACKGROUND

This conference is designed for researchers, government policy-makers (municipal, provincial and federal), members of community organizations and other stakeholders interested in being part of an Atlantic Centre of Excellence for research on immigration and population migration.

At the Atlantic Metropolis Conference, participants will:

  • finalize plans for proposed Atlantic Centre research;
  • consider regional research priorities and their relationship to the 12 national policy priorities for the second cycle of the Metropolis project;
  • report on the structures of governance proposed for the Atlantic Centre by the Regional Advisory Committee;
  • hear panel discussions on government support and NGO involvement.

METROPOLIS BACKGROUND

The Metropolis Project responds to the pressing need for research and policy formation related to globalization, population migrations across borders, and the factors associated with these, including economic restructuring, communications networks, ethnic and political conflict, human security issues, social integration and social services, education, health, youth, and issues of cultural, social and religious heritage and diversity.

To date, the Metropolis Project has established four national university-based centres of excellence (Montreal, Toronto, the Prairies and Vancouver). Each Metropolis Centre brings in more than 2 million in federal funding over 5 years. The Metropolis project has also expanded rapidly at the international level, with linkages in more than 20 countries.

The fifth Metropolis Centre planned for Atlantic Canada will:

  • fund policy-relevant research on the changing demographics of the Atlantic provinces, attraction and retention of skilled immigrants, and improved access to educational, health and cultural services for immigrants;
  • identify strategies for enhancing business and industry opportunities within immigrant communities and across borders globally through immigrant networks;
  • investigate policy initiatives to help prevent out-migration from Atlantic Canada;
  • enrich the appreciation and development of cultural diversity in the Atlantic region;
  • stimulate linkages and partnerships in both official languages among municipal centres in Atlantic Canada.

Planning for the 5th Atlantic Metropolis Centre of Excellence is now well advanced, coordinated by representatives of a consortium of universities, NGOs and government officials in the four Atlantic provinces. The consortium has agreed that there will be two administrative nodes for the Atlantic Centre, one in Halifax and the other in Moncton; three lead universities (Dalhousie, Saint Mary's, and the University of Moncton); and a distributed model of operation that will facilitate participation by universities, NGOs and government workers from across the region.

More information on the Metropolis Project is available at http://www.atlantic.metropolis.net

 

ATLANTIC METRPOLIS CONFERENCE

ACCOMMODATION

Please note: It is important to book your accommodations as soon as possible, as the blocks of rooms listed below are no longer being held exclusively for conference delegates. Rooms and rates may still be available but cannot be guaranteed. Please make your accommodation arrangements directly with the hotel of your choice. Make sure to mention that you are with the Atlantic Metropolis Conference.

Dalhousie University Residence
Conference Services and Summer Housing
6136 University Avenue, Room 407
Student Union Building
Halifax, NS B3H 4J2
Tel: (902) 494-8840 Fax: (902) 494-1219
E-mail: conference.services@dal.ca
http://www.dal.ca/confserv

Please identify the group code Metropolis (ID# 1696) when making reservations.
Cost: $39 single/$59 double (includes parking)

Any guests that show valid student IDs will receive a rate of $27 (single)/$46 (double). This rate does not include parking.

Continental breakfast, linens, towels and regular membership privileges to Dalplex Athletic Facility are included with both student and regular rates.

Holiday Inn Select
1980 Robie Street
Halifax, NS B3H 3G5
Tel: (902) 423-1161 Fax: (902) 423-9060
Email: admin@holidayinnselect.ns.ca
http://www.holiday-inn.com/halifax-centre

Price: $125.00/night plus taxes (single/double) ($10.00 per every additional person)

 

Citadel Halifax Hotel
1960 Brunswick Street
Halifax, NS B3J 2G7
Tel: (902) 422-1391 or 1-800-565-7162
Fax: (902) 494-9319

http://www.citadelhalifax.com (reservations can be made directly from the website)

Price: $129.00/night + taxes (single/double)