Summary

Thursday March 27, 2003: Greeting and opening comments

In his welcoming remarks, CCSD President Marcel Lauzière said conference organizers had deliberately encouraged participation from every part of the country, all levels of government and all sectors of society, from universities to community organizations. Although there is no consensus on the definition of social inclusion, he said the concept itself is still widely seen as a useful starting point for the development of social policy.

At CCSD’s first conference on this topic in 2002, participants heard that social inclusion is about more than incomes, Lauzière said. It’s about rethinking social policy, holistically and inclusively, in a way that fosters rights and human relationships. In 2002, one speaker defined social inclusion as “breaking bread in community”, while another placed it in the context of what people can be, do, and achieve. This year, Lauzière urged delegates to explore the “complex and multiple facets of social inclusion” as a way of building a stronger agenda for future research.

Thomas Townsend, Director of HRDC’s Applied Research Branch, said he welcomed the opportunity to talk about what researchers know and need to know about social inclusion.

“It’s an exciting time to live in Canada,” he said. “An important set of demographic conditions is presenting a unique opportunity that can make Canada a broadly inclusive society, but the challenge in public policy is daunting.” He said participants’ work on a social inclusion research agenda will be critical in meeting that challenge, adding that ARB will be placing greater reliance on outside research and analysis in its effort to address social inclusion and other key policy issues over the medium term.

“We welcome this changing role,” he said, “but we will need to draw in more effectively the resources that are broadly available to us and rely less on the capacity within our own organization.”

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For more information about the conference, contact:
 
Sarah Zgraggen
The Willow Group
Tel: (613) 722-8796;
Fax: (613) 729-6206;
e-mail: szgraggen@thewillowgroup.com