Dinner booklet - Intercultural Dialogue Institute

Intercultural Dialogue Institute GTA
Intercultural Dialogue Institute GTA is a non-profit organization which aims to promote dialogue and cooperation
amongst individuals and communities to advance social cohesion. It brings together people of diverse cultural
and faith backgrounds to establish enduring relations based on mutual understanding and respect. The institute
aims to eliminate false stereotypes and prejudices through direct human communication. It stresses the need for
creating a culture of understanding and peace based on universal human values. To accomplish its mission, IDI
GTA carries out a wide range of projects and activities, e.g. conferences, discussion panels, interfaith gatherings,
dialogue dinners, youth contests and intercultural study trips. Through these activities, IDI GTA offers its modest
contribution to enhancing civil society and advancing multiculturalism in Canada.
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Annual Dialogue and Friendship Dinners
In congruence with its mission, IDI GTA organizes Annual Dialogue & Friendship Dinners by bringing together
the distinguished members of the GTA community around the message of peace, harmony and understanding.
Since 2005, Dialogue and Friendship dinners have been attended by many prominent people from different
walks of life, including government representatives, ministers, MPs, MPPs, mayors, diplomats, bureaucrats,
business people, representatives of media and academia, as well as religious and community leaders. Each
Dialogue and Friendship dinner is dedicated to a particular theme and features a distinguished speaker. Some
of the past speakers include:
Fr. Damien MacPherson, Director of Ecumenical and Interfaith Affairs, Archdiocese of Toronto
Dr. Brian Desbiens, Chair, Board of Directors, Education Quality and Accountability Office
Dr. Sheldon Levy, President and Vice-Chancellor, Ryerson University
Hon. Kathleen Wynne, Premier of Ontario
Dr. Mamdouh Shoukri, President and Vice-Chancellor, York University
Dr. Usha George, Dean, Faculty of Community Services, Ryerson University
Phillip Crawley, CEO and Publisher, The Globe and Mail
Janice O’Born, Chair, Board of Directors, Canadian Centre for Diversity
John Ralson Saul, International President of PEN International
At each Dialogue and Friendship dinner, IDI GTA also recognizes different individuals and organizations for their
commitment to community service by presenting its “Excellence in Community Service Award”. The recipients
of this award are selected by the Hosting Committee of each year’s dinner. Some of the awardees in the
past include Matt Galloway (CBC Radio), Toronto Community Foundation, Ken Shaw (CTV News) and Maytree
Foundation. In recent years, many dedicated members of the GTA community have given their support to the
Dialogue and Friendship dinners by serving on the Hosting Committees of these events. These people hold
leadership roles in their respective organizations and represent different regions of the GTA. The committee
members advise IDI GTA on various matters related to the dinner, thereby making their valuable contributions
to these events. We express our special thanks to the past and present members of this committee for their
support and leadership.
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10th Annual Dialogue and Friendship Dinner
“Partnership for Community Building and Innovation”
Keynote speaker:
Dr. Meric Gertler, President, University of Toronto
Keynote title:
“Universities and City-Regions: A Partnership for Innovation and Opportunity”
Professor Meric Gertler is one of the world’s foremost urban theorists and policy
practitioners. He is widely known as an expert on innovation, creativity and
culture as drivers of the economic dynamism of city-regions. He has served as
an advisor to local, regional and national governments in Canada, the United
States and Europe, as well as to international agencies such as the Organisation
for Economic Cooperation and Development (Paris) and the European Union.
He was the founding co-director of the Program on Globalization and Regional
Innovation Systems (PROGRIS) at the Munk School of Global Affairs, served as
director of the Department of Geography’s Program in Planning, and holds the
Goldring Chair in Canadian Studies. His research has attracted $8.4 million in
external funding and he has published
seven books including Manufacturing Culture: the Institutional Geography of
Industrial Practice, and Innovation and Social Learning, the latter co-edited with
Professor David Wolfe. Professor Gertler’s more than 80 journal articles and
book chapters have had significant impact in his field and have led him to be one of Canada’s most highly cited geographers. He is
co-editor of the widely used Oxford Handbook of Economic Geography and winner of Choice Magazine’s “Outstanding Academic Book”
award. On November 1, 2013, Professor Gertler began his term as the 16th President of the University of Toronto.
Recipients of “Excellence in Community Service Award”
The Honourable David C. Onley
28th Lieutenant Governor of Ontario
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Recipients of “Emerging Young Leaders Award”
Danny Richmond
Mustafa Ahmed
Hosting Committee:
Alok Mukherjee, Chair, Toronto Police Services Board
Armand La Barge, Board of Governors, York University
Daniele Zanotti, CEO, United Way York Region
Dave Ryan, Mayor, City of Pickering
Dr. Hamid Slimi, President, Canadian Centre for Deen Studies
Dr. Harvey Schipper, President, the Holy Blossom Temple
Hon. Judith Sgro, MP, York West
Jennifer Evans, Chief, Peel Regional Police
Kenn Richard, Director, Native Child and Family Services of Toronto
Tony Pontes, Director of Education, Peel District School Board
Sponsor: SAYGI Academics Association
Charitable Sponsor: SickKids Foundation
Date: January 22nd, 2015
Place: Imperial Room, Royal York Fairmont Hotel
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9th Annual Dialogue and Friendship Dinner
“Responsible Citizenship & Social Cohesion”
Keynote speaker:
John Ralston Saul, International President of PEN International
John Ralston Saul is the International President of PEN International. He is
an essayist, novelist and long-time champion of freedom of expression. His
works have been translated into 23 languages in 30 countries, are widely
taught in universities and central to the debate over contemporary society
in many countries. They include the philosophical trilogy: Voltaire’s Bastards
and the Dictatorship of Reason in the West, The Doubter’s Companion, The
Unconscious Civilization, and its conclusion, On Equilibrium. In The Collapse
of Globalism (2005) he predicted today’s economic crisis. In the autumn of
2012, he published his first novel in 15 years, Dark Diversions: A Traveller’s
Tale, a picaresque novel about the life of modern nouveaux riches.
His awards include South Korea’s Manhae Grand Prize for Literature, the
Pablo Neruda Medal, Canada’s Governor General’s Literary Award for NonFiction, the inaugural Gutenberg Galaxy Award for Literature, Italy’s Premio
Letterario Internazionale. He is a Companion in the Order of Canada and a
Chevalier in the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres of France. He is the recipient
of 17 honorary degrees. In the autumn of 2013, Saul was appointed
Distinguished Visiting Professor at Ryerson University’s Faculty of Arts in
Toronto.
Recipients of Excellence in Community Service Award
Dr. Charles Pascal, OISE, University of Toronto
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Hosting Committee:
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Armand La Barge, Member of the Board of Governors, York University
Bill Fisch, Chairman and CEO, York Region
Bob Dechert, MP, Mississauga-Erindale
David Rivard, Chief Executive Officer, Children’s Aid Society of Toronto
David Szwarc, Chief Administrative Officer, Region of Peel
Deep Saini, Vice President, University of Toronto, Principal of UTM
Eric Joliffe, Chief of York Regional Police
Mamdouh Shoukri, President and Vice Chancellor, York University
Martyn Beckett, Director of Education, Durham District School Board
Mike Sullivan, MP, York South-Weston
Mohamad Lachemi, Provost and Vice President Academic, Ryerson University
Patrick Lake, Executive Director, York Region Children’s Aid Society
Rahul Bhardwaj, President and CEO, Toronto Community Foundation
Shafiq Qaadri, MPP, Etobicoke North
Tim McTiernan, President and Vice Chancellor, University of Ontario Institute of Technology
Tim Penner, Chair of the Board of Directors, YMCA of Greater Toronto
Host:
Jeff McGuire, Chief, Niagara Regional Police Service
Sponsor: SAYGI Academics Association
Charitable Sponsor: United Way Toronto
Date: January 9th, 2014
Place: Imperial Room, Royal York Fairmont Hotel
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9th Dialogue and Friendship Dinner
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8th Dialogue and Friendship Dinner
“The Role of Media in a Multicultural Public Sphere”
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Opening remarks:
Janice O’Born, Chair, Board of Directors, The Canadian Centre for Diversity
Keynote speaker:
Phillip Crawley, Publisher and CEO, The Globe and Mail
Hosting Committee:
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Armand LaBarge, Member of Board of Governors, York University
Brian Desbiens, Chair, Board of Directors, Education Quality and Accountability Office
Cheri DiNovo, MPP (Parkdale-High Park)
Chris Alexander, MP (Ajax-Pickering)
David Szwarc, Chief Administrative Officer, Region of Peel
Deep Saini, Vice President, University of Toronto
Gerd Hauck, Dean, Faculty of Communication and Design at Ryerson University
Jeff O’Hagan, Vice President of Advancement, York University
John Tory, Chair, Greater Toronto Civic Action Alliance
Madeline Ziniak, National Vice President, OMNI TV
Mary Ballantyne, Executive Director, Ontario Association of Children’s Aid Societies
Monte Kwinter, MPP (York Centre)
Paul Morse, President, Southern Ontario Newsmedia Guild
Award: Excellence in Community Service Award
Award Recipients: Maytree Foundation, Ken Shaw (Co-Anchor, CTV News)
Sponsor: SAYGI Academics Association
Charity Sponsor: SickKids Foundation
Media Sponsor: RogersTV
Attendees: 250
Remarks:
Hon. Julian Fantino, Minister of International Cooperation
Hon. David C. Onley, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario
Hazel McCallion, Mayor of Mississauga
Date: January 10th, 2013
Place: Imperial Room, Royal York Fairmont Hotel
official media sponsor
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8th Dialogue and Friendship Dinner
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7th Dialogue and Friendship Dinner
“Living as Neighbours in the Global Community of Toronto”
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Opening remarks:
Hon. Charles Sousa, Ontario Minister of Immigration and Citizenship
Keynote speakers:
Dr. Mamdouh Shoukri, President of York University
Dr. Usha George, Dean of Community Services at Ryerson University
Host:
Robert Fisher, CBC Radio
Hosting Committee:
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Joe Daniel, MP for Don Valley East
Judy Sgro, MP for York West
Cheri DiNovo, MPP for Parkdale-High Park
Joe Mihevic, City Councillor for St. Paul’s West
William Bill Blair, Chief of Toronto Police Service.
David Rivard, Chief Executive Officer of Children’s Aid Society of Toronto
Dr. Paul Gooch, President of Victoria University in the University of Toronto
Abdul Hai Patel, President of Ontario Multifaith Council
Dr. Gary Polonsky, Chair of Canada Science & Technology Museum Board of Trustees
Rev. Damian MacPherson, Director, Ecumenical & Interfaith Affairs, Archdiocese of Toronto
Dr. Karen Hamilton, Minister, United Church of Canada
Armand La Barge, Retired Chief of Police, York Region
Award: Excellence in Community Service Award
Award Recipients: Toronto Community Foundation, Matt Galloway (Host of CBC’s Metro Morning)
Sponsor: SAYGI Academics Association
Attendees: 250
Remarks:
MP Mark Adler, York Center
Archbishop Collin Johnson, Diocese of Toronto, Anglican Church of Canada
Emil Kolb, Chair of the Region of Peel
Date: January 12th, 2012
Place: Imperial Room, Royal York Fairmont Hotel
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6th Dialogue and Friendship Dinner
“Raising the Generation of Peace in the Toronto School of Diversity”
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Opening remarks:
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Hon. Kathleen Wynne, Ontario Minister of Transportation (Former Minister of Education)
Keynote speakers:
Dr. Brain Desbiens, Chair of Board of Directors, Education Quality and Accountability Office
Dr. Sheldon Levy, President of Ryerson University
Host:
Rima Kar (OMNI TV)
Hosting Committee:
Yasmin Ratansi, MP Don Valley East
Rob Oliphant, MP Don Valley West
Tony Ruprecht, MPP Davenport
W. Bill Blair, Chief of Toronto Police Services
Tony Warr, Deputy Chief of Toronto Police Services
Dr. Gary Polonsky, Chair of the Canada Science & Technology Museum Board of Trustees
Dr. Ron Bordessa, President of University of Ontario Institute of Technology
David Rivard, Executive Director, Toronto Children’s Aid Society
Martyn Beckett, Director of Education, Durham District School Board
Dr. Hugh Drouin, Commissioner of Social Services, Durham Region
Rev. Damian MacPherson, Director, Ecumenical and Interfaith Affairs, Archdiocese of Toronto
Award: Excellence in Diversity Education
Award Recipients: Inclusive Education Branch, Ministry of Education
Media Sponsor: OMNI TV
Sponsors: Turkish Airlines, Anatolian Heritage Federation
Attendees: 240
Remarks:
Ruth Flynn, Director of Inclusive Education Branch, Ministry of Education
MPP Yasir Naqvi, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Education
Ken Thursten, Director of Education, York District School Borad
Date: January 7th, 2011
Place: Imperial Room, Royal York Fairmont Hotel
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5th Dialogue and Friendship Dinner
Family of Families Sharing the House of Toronto
Opening remarks:
Hon. Laurel Broten, Ontario Minister of Children and Youth Services
Keynote speaker:
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Dr. Darrol Bryant, Director, Centre for Dialogue and Spirituality in the World’s Religions, University of
Waterloo
Attendees: 200
Remarks:
Hon. Margarett Best, Ontario Ministry of Health Promotion
David Rivard, Executive Director, Toronto Children’s Aid Society
Dr. Paul W. Gooch, President of Victoria University in the University of Toronto
Date: January 14th, 2010
Place: Imperial Room, Royal York Fairmont Hotel
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4th Dialogue and Friendship Dinner
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Peaceful Coexistence – Cooperation of Civilizations in the Ark of
Toronto
Keynote speaker:
M. Fatih Yegul, Executive Director of SAYGI Academics Association
Attendees: 200
Remarks:
MP John McKay, Scarborough-Guildwood
Loreena McKennit, song writer and singer
Dr. Gary Polonsky, Former President of University of Ontario Institute of Technology
William Bill Blair, Chief of Toronto Police Services
Date: January 8th, 2009
Place: Imperial Room, Royal York Fairmont Hotel
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3rd Dialogue and Friendship Dinner
Speaker:
John R. Nay, Consul General of the United States of America in Toronto
Attendees: 160
Remarks:
Dr. Paul W. Gooch, President of Victoria University in the University of Toronto
Date: September 23rd, 2007
Place: 89 Chestnut Residence, University of Toronto
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2nd Dialogue and Friendship Dinner
Keynote Speaker:
Fahri Karakas, McGill University
Attendees: 180
Remarks: Tony Warr, Deputy Chief of Toronto Police Services
Date: September 30th, 2006
Place: Holiday Inn on King Hotel
1st Dialogue and Friendship Dinner
Speaker:
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Fr. Damien MacPherson, Director of Ecumenical and Interfaith Affairs, Archdiocese of Toronto.
Attendees: 160
Date: 2005
Place: Paradise Banquet and Convention Centre
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Inshallah
Inshallah song was written and composed by Dr. Gary Polonsky, President Emeritus of the
University of Ontario Institute of Technology for the 4 Annual Dialogue and Friendship Dinner in
2009. You can find the video of this performance through the QR code below.
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Inshallah
May The Ins And Outs Open Doors, Inshallah,
May The Sun And Moon Ecclipse Wars, Inshallah,
May The Right And Left Shake Their Hands, Inshallah,
May The Rain And Snow Sew Their Lands, Inshallah,
May Every Waking Hour
Bring Rest, Almighty Power,
Inshallah, Inshallah, Inshallah.
May The Lion And The Lamb To Bed, Inshallah,
May The Youngest And The Old Be Fed, Inshallah,
May The Turtle And Gazelle Keep Pace, Inshallah,
May The Arab And The Jew Embrace, Inshallah,
May Every Man And Wife
Fulfill The Source Of Life,
Inshallah, Inshallah, Inshallah.
Chorus
Inshallah, Inshallah,
Tra La La La La La,
Inshallah, Inshallah,
Teach Me To Be,
Inshallah, Inshallah,
Tra La La La La La,
Inshallah, Now I Can See.
May The Sultan And The Peasant Weap, Inshallah,
May David And Goliath Sleep, Inshallah,
May The Beauty And The Beast Romance, Inshallah,
May The Fleetest And The Lame To Dance, Inshallah,
May Those Who Never Trust
Remember Dust To Dust,
Inshallah, Inshallah, Inshallah.
Chorus
May The Family Of Famlies, Inshallah,
Spread Dignity For All To See, Inshallah,
May Toronto Always Be, Inshallah,
A Place Of Honest Harmony, Inshallah,
However You May Pray
Or Look Or Love This Day,
Inshallah, Inshallah, Inshallah.
Chorus
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