History The Canadian Social Welfare Policy Conference is a bilingual national event that has been held biennially since 1982 at different universities in Canada. Beginning in 2003, the conferences have been organized under the aegis of the CCSD. The purpose of the conference is to advance a social development agenda in Canada by strengthening a community of interests and knowledge among researchers and policy-makers working for government, the voluntary sector and universities. The Conference, which attracts an average 300 participants, uses plenary panels, workshops, round tables and paper presentations to build links between research and policy. Past conferences have addressed timely issues on the policy agenda: The 11th conference, Social Development in Canada: It’s Time to Act!, held in Ottawa in June 2003, focused on bringing social development closer to the top of government agendas. The 10th conference, Wealth, Health and Welfare: Tensions and Passions, held in Calgary in June 2001, focused on the link between health and social policies. The 9th conference, Between Hope and Doubt, held at the University of Montreal in June 1999, looked at alternatives to the neo-liberal agenda. The 8th conference, Social Policy, Security, and Citizenship: Changing Roles and Defining Goals, held at the University of Regina in June 1997, focused on social policy responses to the pressures of globalization, economic restraint, and increasing diversity. The 7th conference, Remaking Social Policy: Staking Claims and Forging Change, held in June 1995 at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, concentrated on the emerging social policy agenda in Canada.