North Vancouver resident Ali Solehdin is pleased with the opportunity his role as Vancouver chairman of the Institute for Canadian Citizenship provides to help create a culture of active, engaged citizens.
"Being part of the Institute for Canadian Citizenship is a natural expression of a core personal value of giving back to society, and allows me to help ensure new Canadians are welcomed as citizens of this great nation," he says.
The national, non-profit organization was co-founded by Adrienne Clarkson and John Ralston Saul. The objective is to ensure newcomers are welcomed to the country and included as equals, as well as to create meaningful connections between all Canadians. The institute carries out its mission through three major programs.
Building Citizenship
In partnership with Citizenship and Immigration Canada, Building Citizenship is a national program that sees citizenship ceremonies held across the country throughout the year. Each is preceded by a roundtable discussion. "They bring together established community and civil society leaders along with the new citizens to talk about what it means to be Canadian," says Solehdin.
The next Vancouver ceremony is scheduled for Saturday, May 12 at 11 a.m. As the ceremony will be held at Robson Square, there are public viewing opportunities.
The roundtable discussion's community leaders will include: Dee Dhaliwal, director, sales and marketing, North Shore News; and Maggie Ip, chairwoman, SUCCESS Foundation.
Cultural Access Pass
During citizenship ceremonies, new citizens receive a Cultural Access Pass, which gives them entry during their first year of citizenship to cultural centres across the country. Participating centres in Vancouver include the Vancouver Art Gallery and Museum of Vancouver.
LaFontaine-Baldwin Symposium
Typically held in Toronto, Ont., the symposium features lectures on democracy, civic engagement, and citizenship.
For more information on the Institute for Canadian Citizenship, visit www.icc-icc.ca.
