À propos de l'INM
| Reasonable accommodations Intercultural relations |
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NEWS RELEASE
Reasonable accommodations – Intercultural relations An unprecedented forum on Quebec culture starts tomorrow throughout Quebec MONTREAL, February 1, 2007 – Reasonable accommodations, intercultural relations, religion's place in public life, the future of French language, the school's cultural role, the divisions between Quebec's regions… these are only a few examples of the themes that will be debated in an unprecedented forum on Quebec culture starting tomorrow in nine cities throughout Quebec: INM's Strategic Rendez-Vous on Culture. This event, organized by the Institut du Nouveau Monde (INM), will gather citizens, experts and practitioners in the cultural field. Its objective is to debate cultural issues that are crucial to Quebec and suggest approaches to public decision-makers and stakeholders from the sectors in question. This weekend (February 2-3), hundreds of Quebecers will debate the future of their culture at the first regional meeting whose theme is Quebec culture: a common culture or a mosaic of identities? This first meeting, held simultaneously in all Quebec regions, will be followed by a second meeting on March 16 and 17 with the theme Quebec culture in times of Internet and the planet. Lastly, the national meeting will take place in Montreal on April 27 and 28 and the theme will be The future of Quebec culture: what are our collective dreams? “The first regional meeting of the Strategic Rendez-Vous addresses a crucial aspect for the future of our culture,” notes Michel Venne, Executive Director of the INM. “Quebec is a society that is becoming more plural and complex. Now, how is Quebec culture evolving under the influence of cultural and religious pluralism? Are we heading towards a common culture or a mosaic of identities? The citizens and experts at this meeting will have the opportunity to debate these questions and make suggestions to define Quebec culture and ensure its dissemination.” The Strategic Rendez-Vous on Culture will include the participation of over 85 prominent figures, such as author Dany Laferrière in Montreal, and actress Marie Gignac in Québec City. The general public is invited to come and discuss Quebec culture in their company. The program for the Strategic Rendez-Vous on Culture was prepared by a committee of distinguished individuals from universities, cultural groups and the media. The co-presidents of the committee are Gérard Bouchard, sociologist and historian, professor in the Department of Humanities of Université du Québec à Chicoutimi, holder of the Canada Research Chair on Comparative Dynamics and Collective Imaginaries, and Céline Saint-Pierre, sociologist and President of the Board of Directors of the Fernand Dumont Chair on Culture (INRS) and past President of the Conseil supérieur de l'éducation. “It may seem very ambitious, even daring, to undertake an evaluation of Quebec culture, but what is important is the courage to debate it,” states Gérard Bouchard, co-president of the Rendez-Vous' steering committee. “In times of Internet and globalization, and also when everyone is questioning reasonable accommodations and intercultural relations, I believe it is the perfect time to have this type of collective thinking exercise and I am convinced that citizens will suggest approaches that are extremely judicious for the future of our culture.” “We want citizens to have their say, but not in a hit-or-miss way,” adds Céline Saint-Pierre, co-president of the Rendez-Vous. “We would like people to take the time to get informed and reflect on the state of our culture before debating it, in order to prevent spur-of-the-moment ideas, received ideas and clichés.” The Strategic Rendez-Vous on Culture is the third event of this kind organized by the INM, following the rendez-vous on health in 2005 and the economy in 2006. It is a dialogue between citizens and experts through a proven formula that consists of three main steps: get information through documentation that is both exhaustive and easy to access, found on INM's website at www.inm.qc.ca; debate through activities that promote citizens having their say; and lastly, suggest concrete courses of action that the INM is committed to disseminating on a large scale, particularly to decision-makers. - 30 - Source : Information : Faites connaître ce site à votre réseau !             |