Lord Beaverbrook Crowne Plaza
659 Queen Street
Fredericton NB
Canada
Coming to Fredericton, 31 May - 2 June:
CCR Spring Consultation 2012
Cents-ible Justice: Affordable solutions for refugees and immigrants
In these tough economic times how do we ensure that refugees are treated fairly and honourably, in a process that is independent and affordable? How can we promote immigration policies and practices that avoid unnecessary costs for newcomers and the Canadian taxpayer?
Together with these questions, the Canadian Council for Refugees (CCR) Spring Consultation on the theme of Cent-sible Justice: Affordable solutions for refugees and immigrants will discuss current issues affecting refugees and newcomers. The impacts of Bill C-31, reforming Canada’s refugee system, will also be a prominent theme. Three government departments will share their perspectives on Bill C-31 and will be available to answer questions in a special plenary session on Thursday, May 31st.
Consultation program and registration
Registration form (online) - see also note about registration fees
There is also a downloadable version of the registration form (but we prefer you to fill it out online, if you can).
Register before 11 May to take advantage of the reduced fees!
About the Consultation
The Consultation will bring together approximately 300 people from across Canada and beyond, they offer key opportunities for information exchange, networking, and strategy development. Participants include refugees, immigrants, representatives of NGOs, government, UNHCR, academics, community workers, youth advocates and international guests.
CCR consultations are designed to move from issues to action. Discussions will address issues that challenge refugees, immigrants, advocates and community workers. In addition to larger plenary sessions, workshops and working sessions will produce strategies for further collaboration, specific actions and policy recommendations.
Spreading the word
Please help us to promote this Consultation by passing this invitation to people who might be interested in attending and by directing people to this webpage. We appreciate your help in making it a success!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about CCR Consultations:
- Why is it called a 'Consultation' and not a conference?
- Why should I attend a CCR Consultation?
- This is my first time attending a CCR Consultation. What do I need know?
- Where do you recommend I stay in Fredericton?
- Can I record or take photos during Consultation sessions?
- I'd like to reserve a display table for my organization. How do I do this?
Why is it called a 'Consultation' and not a conference?
CCR consultations are designed to move from issues to action:
- In the workshops, we learn about and discuss the realities, and begin to reflect on what to do.
- In the working groups, we strategize on next steps, what policies to adopt and what actions to take.
- At the concluding General Meeting, we adopt any new policy positions through resolutions and review key action items.
Why should I attend a CCR Consultation?
Here's what some people liked best about past Consultations:
"My clients face these issues and it's important for me to hear from other workers about possible solutions."
"Excellent insight into current and past issues, as well as opportunities to connect with people from organizations and groups across the country."
"I am new to the sector: This was a good place to orient myself to urgent issues. This is an opportunity to consult, offer feedback, identify barriers, make recommendations."
"CCR continues to impress with its diversity of representation and increasingly the involvement of a younger group of advocates and refugees."
"The conference truly broadened my knowledge base and allowed me to enhance my contacts within this realm of work."
This is my first time attending a CCR Consultation. What do I need know?
We hope to have orientation sessions in a number of cities for registered participants before the Consultation. These sessions will be an opportunity to share information about the CCR and to meet others who will be attending the Consultation, so that you can get the most out of your participation.
Details on time and location of local orientation sessions will be sent out to registered participants once available.
There will also be orientation sessions for new participants held at the Consultation. A youth orientation session will take place on the evening of Wednesday, May 30th. An orientation session for all Consultation participants will take place on Thursday, May 31st at 8:30 am.
You can also read the Brief Guide to the CCR Consultation. Alternatively, consult the Youth Network Orientation Guide.
Where do you recommend I stay in Fredericton?
Can I record or take photos during Consultation sessions? (Policy on photography, filming and audio recording)
To protect the privacy of participants, we ask you to respect our policy restricting any forms of recording during CCR sessions. You may however take photos (or film or audio record) outside the CCR sessions (for example in the coffee area or lobbies, or before or after a workshop session), but ONLY after explaining the purpose and obtaining permission of each person photographed, filmed or recorded. The policy is available at http://ccrweb.ca/en/policy-recording
There will be CCR photographers taking pictures during some of the sessions, so that we can document the consultation. If you do not wish to be included in any of the photos, sit in the part of the room that is marked as photo-free. In certain circumstances, the CCR may grant exceptions to specific projects involving recording during a session. Applicants would need to make a request by Friday, May 11th. For more information, see http://ccrweb.ca/en/recording-request.