Bolstering Open Societies and Aligning Business with Where the World is Going 3nd Gathering of Global Canadian Leaders
On October 16th, for the 3rd time, 75 of the most insightful and globally engaged Canadians will gather from across the country and around the world. This gathering provides an excellent opportunity to share insightful up-to-date perspectives on the state of the world in a time of massive change. The strategic challenge for Canada is whether we aspire to be “takers” or “shapers” of the evolving international context. Must Canada simply manage the best it can with whatever international system emerges, or is there a role for it to play in shaping the emerging new order? While numerous pundits have opined that Canada is unable to have real global impact, participants have belied this through their actions. For them, global change is not a spectator sport. They are, in Teddy Roosevelt’s phrase, “in the arena”, striving to shape a better world. Participants in this year’s gathering have: • • • • • • • • • •
Persuaded the leader following a genocidal conflict to focus on development and rebuilding; Galvanized the international community in the fight against apartheid; Created biotech businesses leveraging the power of profit to improve human health; Architected international efforts to improve African infrastructure through private-public partnerships; At the request of the UN Secretary General, launched a global initiative to engage businesses and pension funds in financing the Sustainable Development Goals; Supported journalists reporting on human rights and governance in developing countries; Provided Canadian-led policing and police training in fragile states; Led international efforts against corruption and oversaw the global Partnership Against Corruption Initiative; Helped raise the national and global profile of indigenous issues; Played key roles in both the formation and the operations of UN Women, a critical focal point for global efforts to improve gender equality.
These engaged citizens show that Canadians can have a global impact at this important time.
Preliminary agenda The draft programme, developed with considerable input from participants, addresses three core issues: understanding the current state of the world; aligning Canadian enterprises with where the world is going; and preserving open societies. Location: Espace C2 in the newly renovated Queen Elizabeth hotel, located at 900 René-Lévesque Blvd West, Montréal. You can book a discounted room by using this link.
8:00 – 8:30 AM REGISTRATION, BREAKFAST AND MEETING ONE ANOTHER
An opportunity for participants to meet and renew friendships.
8:30 – 9:45 AM INTRODUCTION AND OPENING PANEL: WHAT IN THE WORLD IS GOING ON?
Repeating last year’s highly appreciated format, our opening panel will provide an up to date perspective on what is happening in relation to some of the most challenging issues facing the world today, followed by a lively group discussion.
9:45 – 10:00 AM BREAK
10:00 – 11:00 AM ALIGNING CANADIAN ENTREPRISES WITH WHERE THE WORLD IS GOING
In addition to radical technological change, Canadian enterprises face two massive global shifts: the shift of economic growth to the east and south and the shift globally in societal expectations of business. Although the economic shift often gets more attention—most recently in the naming of a minister of trade diversification—the shift in societal expectations of business is at least as fundamental. Businesses are increasingly expected to play a larger role in addressing climate change, the move to a circular economy, healthy food and sustainable agriculture, workplace diversity, the responsible treatment of workers along the supply chain, responsible sourcing, and key governance issues such as corruption. Business is being looked to as a critical player in the implementation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. At the same time, expectations for rising quarterly profits are as strong as ever and boards are increasingly willing to fire CEOs who do not meet the market’s expectations.
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Aligning business with where the world is going is a huge challenge, but also a massive opportunity. It can unlock profitable new growth and help future-proof the enterprise. A panel of world-leading experts and executives will lead off our discussion.
11:00 – 12:00 PM HOW IS CANADIAN BUSINESS DOING? WHERE ARE THE BIGGEST OPPORTUNITIES?
Participants will divide into breakouts to explore in more detail the opportunity of business aligning with changing Canadian and global expectations. Groups will identify some of the biggest challenges facing Canadian business today and surface strategic opportunities for Canadian businesses to do well by doing good.
12:00 – 1:00 PM LUNCH
An opportunity to interact informally and continue the morning’s conversations.
1:00 – 2:00 PM “PITCH” SESSION
Representatives from each breakout group will “pitch” to the entire group their best opportunities for Canadian business to align their core business with emerging needs and expectations, underlining the potential for enhanced business value as well as for public good.
2:00 – 3:00 PM GLOBAL CHALLENGES TO OPEN SOCIETIES AND LIBERAL DEMOCRACIES
Many observers believe that open societies around the world are facing their greatest threat since before the Berlin Wall came down. By some measures, the decline in liberal democracy around the world has been going on for over a decade. The trend has accelerated in recent years, particularly since the election of a populist President of the United States with scant interest in democratic institutions and long-accepted codes of conduct. What is driving the situation in the world today? What are the prospects going forward? Why should Canada care, and what should Canada do? A panel will kick off, followed by group discussion.
3:00 – 3:15 PM BREAK
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3:15 – 4:30 PM CANADIAN ACTIONS TO BUTTRESS OPEN SOCIETIES
Is Canada doomed to observe as global norms shift in a way that is antithetical to our national interests and values? Can Canada, both the government and other Canadian actors, have a meaningful, positive global impact at this critical time? We will start this session with a brief presentation reviewing the impact we have had in the past, identifying levers we possess today, and summarizing Canadian resources that could be available. Could it be that our key limiter is not paucity of resources so much as a lack of focused ambition? We will follow with breakout discussions on how Canada (government, foundations, universities, business, etc.) could support open societies and liberal democracy around the world. These breakouts will be structured around a number of potential opportunities. Suggestions to date include: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Canadian leadership on the thorny issue of cyber governance and liberal democracy; Supporting a dynamic free press in Canada and around the world; Preserving civil society space and capability; Reinforcing governance institutions to support resilient democracies around the world; Leveraging Canadian universities and exchange programs to support free speech and openminds; 6. Creating new coalitions of state and non-state actors to support open societies around the world; 7. Addressing the link between corruption and illiberalism around the world; 8. Leading by example: doing more to ensure that we are preserving an open society and respect for difference of opinion at home.
4:30 – 5:00 PM REPORT BACK AND “PITCHES”
Representatives from each breakout group will “pitch” to the entire group their best opportunities for Canada to bolster open societies around the world, underlining why it is important, why Canada and Canadian institutions are capable and/or credible, and what it would take to succeed.
5:00 – 5:30 PM SUMMARY AND NEXT STEPS
We will summarize key points from the day’s discussions and discuss where we take the discussions, and the best ideas, from here.
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5:30 – 10:00 PM COCKTAIL DÎNATOIRE
There will be a cocktail dînatoire on site from 5:30 to 10:00. It is an opportunity for participants to continue the conversation and enjoy interacting with a remarkable group of globally engaged Canadians.
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