BISHOP’S FORUM – A WEEK-LONG IMMERSION PROGRAM ON QUEBEC SOCIETY FOR QUEBEC’S ENGLISH-SPEAKING YOUTH

From August 13 through August 18, 2017, fifty 18-24 year old English-speaking Quebecers will meet at Bishop’s University for a week-long immersion into Quebec’s society.

“Quebec benefits when its younger citizens are informed and knowledgeable about how its major institutions and systems function”, said Principal Michael Goldbloom, C.M. “Our goal is to enhance young English-speaking Quebecers capacity for and interest in civic engagement.”

“The goal of the Bishop’s Forum is to provide participants an “Inside Look” at some of the fundamental institutions of Quebec”, he went on to say. “Participants will get insight into how the National Assembly, political parties, business, community and not-for-profit organizations and the media influence public discourse and public policy. The Forum will give participants not only a sense of what it is like to work in these major sectors but also how to influence change.”

Bishop’s Forum Director James Hughes added that “We’re designing the Forum in an engaging and innovative way to help young people put their talents, including their leadership skills, to work to further their own careers and the quality of life in the province. The Bishop’s Forum wants to make Quebec better by equipping young English-speaking Quebecers with the ideas, networks and tools to lead change.”

Participants will work in small groups throughout the week to identify a key change they want to effect to Quebec society and craft both the case for support and the road map to transformation. These efforts will culminate in a presentation by each group to a mock Parliamentary Commission made up of a blue ribbon panel of Quebec changemakers.

This initiative is being supported by the Quebec Government as part of its Stratégie d’action jeunesse 2016-2021. This opportunity for participants will be at no cost to the participants. A cross section of Quebec’s institutional and organizational leaders will be involved in the program.

Contact: Denise Lauzière
Director of Logistics
denise.lauziere@ubishops.ca
819-822-9600, extension 2201
www.bishopsforum.ubishops.ca