Atlantic Metropolis Conference
Conference Information

June 14 to 16, 2002
Dalhousie University
Halifax, Nova Scotia

(For information on Accommodation and Deadlines, see below)

This conference is 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, the conference participants will:

  • finalize plans for research domains within the Atlantic Centre, as proposed by the Metropolis Regional Advisory Committee
  • consider regional research priorities and their relationship to the twelve national policy priorities for the second cycle of the Metropolis project
  • confer on the structures of governance proposed for the Atlantic Centre by the Regional Advisory Committee.

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.

SUBSIDIES FOR CONFERENCE PARTICIPANTS

Subsidies will be available to NGOs, students and faculty travelling from a distance. For more information please contact the Metropolis Conference office at the address below.

Please find hotel and registration information below.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Further details on the Conference Program and registration fee will follow in late April.

For more information on the conference, please contact

Lisa Monk and Nadia Stuewer, Metropolis Conference Organizers
Metropolis Conference, Dalhousie University
Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
Marion McCain Arts and Social Sciences Building
6135 University Ave.
Halifax, NS B3H 4P9

Tel: (902) 494-2790 Fax: (902) 494-1957
Email: metropolis.conference@dal.ca

ACCOMMODATION

For your convenience, blocks of rooms have been reserved at the following locations. Please make your accommodation arrangements directly with the hotel of your choice. Make sure to mention that you are with the Atlantic Metropolis Conference to receive the rates quoted below.

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
Email: accommodations@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)