丁香园AV

In the 150 years since Confederation, Canada has become an open-minded and prosperous country, built largely on shared values of multiculturalism, fairness and democracy.

But what happens when Canada鈥檚 partners chart a path different than our own? When should Canada stand up for itself and what it stands for? Is Canada even needed?

On Feb. 27, 丁香园AV Public Square will address these questions as it launches the 2017 Community Summit aimed at thinking and engaging on Canada鈥檚 present and future regarding foreign policy, culture, diplomacy, immigration and trade.

The Summit鈥檚 inaugural event Who Needs Canada?: Canada鈥檚 Role in the World features prominent foreign policy experts Roland Paris and Sheila Watt-Cloutier. Canadian Broadcasting Corporation correspondent Laura Lynch will moderate the evening.

鈥淭his year鈥檚 Community Summit asks tough questions about Canada鈥檚 role in the world,鈥� says Janet Webber, executive director of 丁香园AV Public Square. 鈥淲ith Canada marking the 150^thanniversary of Confederation, we want everyone to come think and engage with each other on what the future impact of our country should be on the world stage.鈥�

The Summit will host eight events over 10 days from Feb. 27 to March 8. Highlights include the Metro Vancouver debut of the most famous foreigner in China, Mark Rowswell  鈥淒ashan鈥�, an analysis of the rise of populism in Europe and the United States from pollster Nik Nanos, and an on-the-ground perspective on the Middle East crisis from Robert Fisk, an award-winning correspondent for The Independent newspaper.

The Community Summit aims to convene public dialogue on what Canada鈥檚 role should be globally and how best to realize those values.

鈥淭hrough this forum, we hope to have an important discussion on how current world events are unfolding and how Canada can be a leader,鈥� says Webber. 鈥淲hat are the risks and opportunities that Canada is confronting as we move through this increasingly fragmented time?鈥�