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Highlights of The Immigration Connection 2015

May 1, 2015


“[The immigration stories] weren’t only interesting, but very impactful. The stories provided examples of how significant integration/inclusion and awareness is.”

“I found the whole day valuable and useful .”

“Great event, hope to attend next year.”

“Very good, seemed focused, strategic, productive. Thank you for sponsoring this very worthwhile event.”

“Thanks for the event, it gave me the opportunity to connect and learn new things. Good job.”

“Exciting and inspiring.”

“Great and much needed work—keep up with the less talk and more action.”

These are just a few of the comments shared with us about our annual event The Immigration Connection, held on March 13, 2015. Over 110 people attended the half-day event full of speakers, panel presentations, emerging issues, personal immigration stories told by first-time storytellers, and networking breaks. The event was open to the whole community.

A whopping 87% of attendees felt that the event raised their awareness about immigration issues, which is, after all, our main purpose for putting on an event like this. Those who shared constructive feedback  with us hoped that a future event would be longer, accommodate more discussion and dialogue, involve more employers speaking about their workforce challenges, and include more networking time. So expect an even better event next year.

Keynote speaker Ratna Omidvar, Executive Director of the Global Diversity Exchange at Ryerson University, addressed both the positive and potentially negative implications that changes to the immigration system will have for our communities; hiring practices that reduce personal biases and ensure that workplaces are more diverse; and inspired participants to take action to increase inclusion of newcomers on boards of directors.

Other presentations in the packed agenda addressed the new Express Entry system of immigration, the business perspective on hiring immigrants, immigrant entrepreneurship, the importance of retention in immigrant attraction, new research on access to services for newcomers, changes to the Citizenship Act, granting the right to vote to permanent residents, and welcoming Syrian refugees.

Below are some of the panel presentations that were made during breakout sessions focusing on economic and social inclusion:

And lastly, check out the best pictures of the event! If you see yourself and want the picture sent to you, let us know…

Thanks to the Guelph Tribune for its thorough coverage of our annual event, The Immigration Connection, on March 13. See the article…

We were also featured in the Around Town section…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We are extremely grateful to the following sponsors and funders for their support of this event…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CIC

Guelph-Wellington Local Immigration Partnership

Guelph-Wellington Local Immigration Partnership