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Policy Community Conference 2023: Agenda
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Event Program
November 23-24 | 10:30 am – 4:00 pm (ET)
The current state of policymaking in the Government of Canada can be characterized as dynamic, unpredictable, and potentially turbulent, which requires policy practitioners to exhibit a high level of adaptability.
This fifth Policy Community Conference explores adaptive policymaking across three key themes: lessons learned from major policy transformations, reconciliation efforts, and systemic policy design. The event provides a valuable space for policy practitioners across the federal public service and beyond to gather, share experiences and seek advice. Participants will gain new insights on how to continually reassess and adjust government policies based on new variables to improve future policy design and implementation.
>> Click here to register for the event
Content Advisory
This conference may include discussions or presentations that cover sensitive topics. We aim to create a supportive environment for all participants, and if you find certain topics may be triggering, please take the necessary steps to prioritize your well-being. Support is available for those in crisis.
Thursday, November 23 - Day One
Simultaneous interpretation available for all sessions
10:30 am – 11:00 am | |
Welcome and Land Acknowledgement | |
| Opening Ceremony by:
Anishinaabe Elder Verna McGregor | |
| Opening Remarks on the Policy Community Initiative and Adaptive Policymaking by:
Serge Bijimine - ADM Champion, Policy Community Initiative | |
| Master of Ceremonies:
Pablo Sobrino - Former Public Servant | |
11:00 am - 11:40 pm | |
Fireside Chat | |
| A Conversation between John Hannaford, Clerk of the Privy Council, and Serge Bijimine, ADM Champion, Policy Community Initiative | |
| To share perspectives on policy excellence, adaptive policymaking, and the collective capacity to respond to what is ahead. | |
11:40 pm - 12:40 pm | |
| Opening Keynote Address | |
Reconciliation and Right Relations: An Adaptive Policy Approach | |
| Jesse Wente - Writer and Public Speaker | |
| This session will highlight the role of adaptive policymaking and co-development of policies in the context of reconciliation. The Speaker will explore how policymakers can incorporate adaptive approaches to address the evolving needs, aspirations and rights of Indigenous communities, ensuring that policies are responsive, accountable, and effective. The Speaker will draw upon real-world examples and case studies to illustrate how adaptive policymaking can be a catalyst for positive change in the context of reconciliation.
The keynote address may include interactive Q&A, allowing attendees to engage directly with the Speaker. | |
12:40 pm - 1:40 pm | |
Lunch Break | |
1:40 pm - 3:00 pm | |
| Panel Sesssion | |
Lessons from Major Organizational or Policy Transformations | |
| A triangulation of perspectives from former and current public service leaders who will share lessons from the past leading policy through machinery to implementation, and the applicability of their insights today. Learning from their past experiences will help policymakers avoid repeating procedures, and ingrained practices that can hinder the implementation of adaptive approaches.
This panel discussion is a must-attend for anyone interested in driving policy transformation in the face of turbulent times. Be prepared to be inspired, informed, and equipped with practical strategies as our esteemed panelists share their insights and experiences. The panel discussion will include an interactive Q&A session allowing attendees to engage directly with the panelists. | |
Panelists:
Moderator:
| |
3:00 pm - 3:10 pm | |||
Break | |||
3:10 pm - 3:55 pm | |
| Interactive Session | |
Inside Out: Policy Changemaking from the Inside | |
| Richard D. Sharpe - Director - Black Equity Branch, Treasury Board Secretariat, Government of Ontario | |
| A hands-on session to guide the audience in important societal issues to make transformational, systemic and institutional change from the inside. Richard D. Sharpe will share his experiences in working to establish the Federal Black Employee Caucus which led to the creation of the Black Executive Network, which in turn inspired the creation of the Clerk’s call to action on Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, as well as the launch of entrepreneurship funds for various equity groups, and changes to the Employment Equity Act. | |
3:55 pm - 4:00 pm | |
| Closing Remarks | |
| Serge Bijimine - ADM Champion, Policy Community Initiative | |
| Offering highlights of the day and a preview of Day 2 of the conference. | |
Friday, November 24th - Day Two
Simultaneous interpretation available for all sessions
10:30 am - 10:35 am | |
| Opening and Welcome Back | |
| Master of Ceremonies:
Pablo Sobrino - Former Public Servant | |
10:35 am - 11:40 am | |
| Opening Keynote Address | |
Transition Design and Interconnected Policymaking | |
| Terry Irwin - Director of the Transition Design Institute and Professor, Carnegie Mellon University | |
| In our complex and rapidly changing world, traditional approaches often fall short in tackling interconnected challenges that span multiple sectors. This session offers a fresh perspective, emphasizing the need for transdisciplinary collaboration and relearning problem clusters. Terry Irwin, a visionary in the field, will guide us in understanding and applying this groundbreaking approach.
During this keynote session, Terry will introduce the principles and methodologies of Transition Design. She will delve into the interconnectedness of complex problems, emphasizing the importance of addressing them holistically and collaboratively across disciplines and sectors. Terry will share inspiring examples of how Transition Design has been successfully applied to real-world challenges, highlighting the transformative outcomes achieved. The keynote session will include an interactive Q&A session allowing attendees to engage directly with Terry. Accessible presentation | |
11:35 am - 12:00 pm | |
| Community Spotlight | |
Announcement of the 10th National Student Paper Competition Winner | |
| Lydia Laflamme - Student, Master in Political Science, Université Laval
David Jones - Student, Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy, University of Toronto | |
| The National Student Paper Competition (NSPC) was launched in 2013 with the aim of introducing innovative ideas and bright new thinkers to the Canadian public service and enhancing public service excellence and encouraging high performance.
The NSPC is an annual competition organized by the Canada School of Public Service in partnership with the Canadian Association of Programs in Public Administration and the Institute of Public Administration of Canada. The competition is also supported by various Canadian higher-education institutions and associations, including the Canadian Association for Graduate Studies. | |
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm | |
Lunch Break | |
1:00 pm - 2:15 pm | |
| Panel Session | |
Adaptive Policies – What they Mean for Implementation | |
| In the ever-accelerating pace of today's world, there is a widening gap between ideas and their execution. The challenge is to adapt policies to new situations, without losing sight of their main objectives. How can we use past experiences to shape better policymaking in the future?
This panel discussion is a must-attend for anyone interested in closing the gap between policy objectives and policy implementation in the challenges of embracing new technologies, building new relationships, and serving needs . Be inspired by practical stories as our esteemed panelists share their insights and experiences. The panel discussion will include an interactive Q&A session allowing attendees to engage directly with the panelists. | |
Panelists:
Moderator:
| |
2:15 pm - 2:25 pm | |
Break | |
2:25 pm - 03:10 pm | |
| Panel Session | |
Adaptive Policymaking and Central Agencies | |
| This session explores the concept of adaptive policymaking, and the pivotal role central agencies play in facilitating effective governance. Embracing adaptive policymaking can improve government’s ability to address complex challenges, promote innovation, and achieve positive outcomes for citizens. As central agencies continue to evolve and adapt, they emerge as essential drivers of change. The session aims to demystify and probe how we ensure policies are flexible, evidence-based and responsive to societal needs. | |
Panelists:
Moderator:
| |
3:10 pm - 3:50 pm | |
| Community Exchange | |
Community Research on Adaptive Policymaking | |
| The Policy Community Partnerships Office - Community in-residence at Transport Canada | |
| This short interactive session shares insights from community research projects towards the development of an Adaptive Policymaking Framework. The Policy Community Partnerships Office will highlight what the community has shared about the realities of being a policy practitioner in these times and provide an opportunity for the audience to inform future community work.
The session is designed to foster an environment of learning and collaboration featuring instant polling and interactive Q&A. Attendees will gain insight into challenges and opportunities for adaptability, discover how they, as practitioners, can enhance policymaking for agility, resilience, and flexibility, while also providing their input into directions for future projects.
| |
3:50 pm - 4:00 pm | |
Closing Remarks and Thanks | |
| Closing Remarks by:
Serge Bijimine - ADM Champion, Policy Community Initiative | |
