Cultivating a 360-degree relationship
By Satish Thakkar
Over the last eleven years, Canada India Foundation has operated as an organisation that is focused on fostering bilateral relations and creating a more conducive environment for Canadians of Indian origin to be absorbed based on their talent, merit, qualifications and experience into the Canadian mainstream.
The rapidly increasing population of Indo-Canadians in the last two decades has brought about a qualitative change in the demographics. According to a brilliant presentation made by Anil Arora last month at CIF’s Speaker Series, 8.9% of Canada’s total immigrant population was born in India, making immigrants from India the largest immigrant group by birth in Canada.
Pertinently, one-half of the Indian-born immigrants aged 25 to 64 have a university degree, compared to one-quarter of the comparable Canadian population, and of Indian-born immigrants who have a degree, about one in five obtained their highest degree in Canada or the United States.
When the complexion and composition of Indians who have made Canada their home changes so drastically, it is time for an organisation that represents their interest to also calibrate its orientation and approach. Canada India Foundation has, after prolonged manthan, has decided to adopt a 360-degree approach to meetings its objectives.
What does a 360-degree approach mean? It means having an all-encompassing approach in Canada – India bilateral relations that includes political, economic, social and cultural aspects, and simultaneously taking into account all matters concerning Canadians of Indian origin. That means empowering them, too, in all spheres of life.
CIF will nurture an environment where all talented, skilled and qualified Indo-Canadians can become a part of the organisational dynamics that enable them to be involved in the decision-making process.
CIF will vigorously advocate for an expansion of horizons in public policy and specially focus on creating an environment that is conducive for the Indo-Canadians to flourish in all spheres of endeavour, and not merely on bettering their economic conditions and finding a political voice.
CIF will work towards a transformation so that it is conducive for the well-being of the Indo-Canadian community, its easier settlement and integration into the Canadian society. This will require creating institutions that support the flourishing of art and artists in all spheres of creativity.
We will work to channelize and integrate the efforts of Indo-Canadians in every aspect of human endeavour and enable their integration into the Canadian mainstream to better reflect and inspire the next generation. We will work with youth to utilize its intellect and combine it with the ethics of their parents’ generation of dedication, hard work, family values, and giving back to the society.
As a stakeholder of our Foundation, I invite you to contribute your ideas and share your thoughts to make this an immersive process.
Write to us at info@canadaindiafoundation.com
Satish is National Convener, Canada India Foundation & President, Excelsior Financial Group