2017 - Seizing Opportunities, Shaping a Better World

Seizing Opportunities, Shaping a Better World 2nd Gathering of Global Canadian Leaders October 3rd, 2017

Programme Location: the striking Espace CDPQ (3 Place Ville Marie, Niveau L, Suite 12350), recently created by the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec to accelerate the growth and globalization of Québec SMEs. 8:00 – 9:00 AM REGISTRATION, BREAKFAST AND MEETING ONE ANOTHER

An opportunity for new participants to meet and for pervious participants to catch-up before the beginning of the formal programme.

9:00 AM WELCOME AND OVERVIEW

Dominique Anglade, Minister of Economy, Science and Innovation and Minister responsible for the Digital Strategy, Government of Québec.

9:30 – 10:45 AM WHAT IN THE WORLD IS GOING ON

After a panel frames the issues, participants will discuss key developments over the last year— geopolitical, economic, social, and developmental—and underline the most important challenges for the coming year.

Panelists : Lyse Doucet, Chief International Correspondant, BBC Joanne Liu, International President, Médecins Sans Frontières Jennifer Welsh, Professor in International Relations, Director of Graduate Studies, European University Institute

10:45 – 11:15 AM BREAK

11:15 – 12:30 PM SEIZING OPPORTUNITIES FOR GLOBAL IMPACT

Participants will engage in small group discussions on specific areas of opportunity for Canada and Canadian organizations.

1. Canada as a global talent hub. One of the key recommendations last year was to position Canada as a global talent hub to which great talent is attracted and from which Canadians set forth to study, work, and explore the world. What can be done to accelerate this? Can Canada significantly increase the share of Canadian students who study abroad?

2. Canada as a magnet for global investment and innovation. Canada is on the map in a way that it has not been for decades with the highest growth and lowest debt in the G7, a renewed international reputation, and a leading role in international trade agreements. Can Canada translate this moment into a step-function increase in international investment and domestic innovation?

3. Canada’s G7 leadership. Canada will lead the G7 in 2018. What are the most important challenges facing the G7? Where should Canada focus? What kind of impact could Canada have through its G7 leadership?

4. Shaping a better world through Canada’s feminist international assistance policy. To considerable international applause, Canada recently announced a feminist international assistance policy. How can Canada best give substance to this bold initiative in the years ahead? Can it be concretely applied to key challenges, such as the 65 M refugees and internally displaced people today—the highest number since the Second World War? 5. Globalizing the Canadian mind. Participants last year underlined that most business and government leaders in Canada today have a very domestic or continental perspective.

There is considerable discussion on building the global mindset of young Canadians— what about older Canadians in positions of key responsibility. Are there practical ways to increase the global awareness and engagement of Canada’s C-suite executives, civil servants and political leaders?

12:30 – 1:30 PM LUNCH

Informal, so that participants can continue their discussions.

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1:30 – 2:30 PM REPORT BACK OF IDEAS

Each breakout group will be asked to summarize their discussions and present one to three of their best ideas.

2:30 – 4:00 PM IDENTIFYING POTENTIAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR CANADIAN LEADERSHIP IN GOVERNANCE

Kofi Annan has said that “good governance is perhaps the single most important factor in eradicating poverty and promoting development”. Yet by many measures democratic governance is stagnating and, in some countries, moving backwards. From fragile states to middle income and advanced economies, the credibility, effectiveness, and resilience of governance systems are being challenged. This was raised as a key challenge last year and its importance has only grown over the last 12 months.

Participants will engage in small group discussions on specific areas of opportunity for Canada and Canadian organizations.

1. Resilient democracies. Following historic progress after the fall of the Berlin Wall, democratic institutions and accepted codes of conduct are being challenged around the world. In some cases, radical challenges are being welcomed by citizens who believe existing political systems are failing them. How should societies respond to the dangers of creeping authoritarianism and state capture? How can governments maintain, or renew, credibility with an increasingly skeptical citizenry? What role can Canada, including Canadian individuals and non-governmental organizations, play?

2. Justice, transparency, and robust rule of law. In many fragile states, supporting the effective rule of law is the missing middle between military interventions and ongoing development work. Corruption, criminality, and ineffective justice systems are also major issues in many middle income and advanced economies. There is no one multilateral organization or country that is a recognized leader in this space. Could Canada play a more significant role?

3. Women in governance. The Trudeau government caught the world’s attention when Canada became the first G7 country to have gender parity in cabinet. In other areas, such as corporate boards, Canada lags behind a number of European countries. What further actions should Canada be taking to enhance women’s leadership in senior governance roles here and around the world, as part of a broader commitment to enhanced diversity?

4. Local governance. Participants last year underlined the positive role that Canada has played in local governance around the world, as well as the opportunity to push thinking further in areas such as urban design and civic squares. What could Canada do to support pluralist, innovative local governance around the world?

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5. Governance of emerging technologies. Governments typically respond to innovation risks after-the-fact: after the Titanic sank laws required more lifeboats; after the global financial crisis the G20 created the Financial Stability Board. Is there a better way to approach the governance of emerging technologies—such as AI, next generation web, and self-driving vehicles—that combine massive opportunity with unparalleled risk?

Can Canada play a leadership role?

4:00 – 4:15 PM BREAK

4:15 – 5:00 PM REPORT BACK OF IDEAS

Each breakout group will be asked to present one to three of their best ideas. The goal is to increase the group’s understanding of different opportunities for Canada to make a difference in the critical area of governance.

5:00 – 5:30 PM SUMMARY, NEXT STEPS, CLOSING

We will summarize key points from the day’s discussions and review next steps. We will also ask participants to fill out their preferred Canadian opportunity for global impact (see next page)

5:30 – 10:00 PM COCKTAIL DÎNATOIRE

We will take the elevators to the Sommet Place Ville Marie (46th floor of 3 Place Ville Marie), for our closing cocktail dînatoire. While some participants will only be able to spend a few minutes, others are welcome to continue informal conversations through dinner.

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Preferred Canadian Opportunity for Global Impact We will ask you to complete this form at the end of the event.

1. Key Opportunity

2. Impact

3. Why Canada?

4. What would it take?

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STUDIOS DE COMMUNICATION - RDC Feminist international assistance policy (Lab) Global talent hub (Montréal) G7 Leadership (Toronto)

Rez-de-chaussée

STUDIOS DE COMMUNICATION - 1er étage Globalizing the Canadian mind (Boston)

1er étage

Global investment and innovation (New York)

STUDIOS DE COMMUNICATION - RDC Justice, transparency and rule of law (Lab) Governance of emerging technologies (Montréal) Local governance (Toronto)

Rez-de-chaussée

STUDIOS DE COMMUNICATION - 1er étage Resilient democracies (Boston)

1er étage

Women and governance (New York)