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Question 12: Values and CultureWhat are the best means for Canada to make its culture and experience known
abroad? |
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| Contributor: | 1794 |
| Date: |
2003-04-30 16:24:54 |
| Answer: |
Canada has been well-respected for its involvement in international programs from CISV to Rotary to professional and business exchanges. We have apparently exemplary programs to assist in mediation and negotiations in international conflicts.
First and foremost, we need to acknowledge and to publicize our own skills, accomplishments, and constructive activities. This needs to be both top-down, public and government offices, and bottom-up, throughout the public school system. Example: The Participaction Program was apparently very successful: it was public, visible, and soundly grounded in goals and policy. It promoted healthy activity, and it contributed to our well-being. Rarely is any facet of our society permitted such open and loud attention. We need to express more positive and constructive attention, and to stop being a post-hoc /after-the-fact society.
And abroad? Our global village trumpets the moves of every country, whether exemplary or not. In New Zealand, for weeks there have been daily reports about SARS and Toronto; the Baltics understand our election system better than some of us. Without clarity at home, our words abroad are meaningless, and the world sees Canada far more accurately than most Canadians would ever care to admit. We need to continue our excellent contributions abroad, but change those behaviours at home and abroad which undermine whatever we accomplish and which erode our own values and priorities. |
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