Rationale and Goals

Rationale

In 2009, Canada鈥檚 World interviewed 200 thought leaders and convened 14 focus groups to identify the new realities facing Canada in the international arena. Based on this research, nine new realities were identified 鈥� which surfaced the following concerns about Canadian foreign policy:

The gap between perception and reality of Canada鈥檚 place in the world is growing
There is a need to increase the number of Canadians who think and care about international policy
Discussions about international policy are becoming increasingly polarized
There are competing visions about Canada鈥檚 role in the world that deserve careful consideration
Our perceptions of ourselves as a nation are evolving
Our notions of federalism are evolving
The actors shaping our international policy are shifting
The nature of government decision-making is changing

Goals

Canada鈥檚 World sought to develop a new story for Canada in the world that reflected the historical experiences, values, assets, and interests of Canadians.

In order to accomplish this, Canada鈥檚 World wanted to design and deliver a national dialogue process that could act as a model for citizen engagement and deliberation that also:

Involved individuals, organizations, businesses, and institutions
Engaged Canadians who have not traditionally participated in foreign policy initiatives
Increased Canadians鈥� knowledge of foreign policy
Empowered citizens to deliberate, formulate, and advance options for Canadian international policy
Built the capacity of participants to communicate the new story for Canada鈥檚 role in the world to government, media, and other international policy actors

911吃瓜

Morris J. Wosk Centre for Dialogue