BCIS and the Brooks Newell Region present
Seeds of Change:
Rural immigration Conference
Attracting, Retaining and Thriving Together in
Rural Communities
May 7-8, 2024
registration now open
*fees apply
Share and learn best practices in newcomer attraction and retention in rural communities
With the recent success of programs such as the Rural Renewal Stream, rural immigration has been increasing rapidly across Alberta. With many small, rural or remote communities embracing immigration, it is becoming more and more important to have best practices and considerations for small communities who may not have the capacity or resources that larger urban communities have.
Join us to share best practices in newcomer attraction and retention through the lens of rural municipalities. Build the network of municipal leaders, economic development professionals, settlement services and community development organizations who each play a role in making rural immigration a success.
Following the conference on May 8 there will be a premiere of the documentary Bridging the Gap at Griffin Park Theater, you can register and watch the preview with the links below!
Schedule of Events
May 7th
Welcome
Time | Session |
5:00 pm | Welcome Reception Registration table open, appetizers, drinks, words of welcome from dignitaries |
7:00 pm | Entertainment |
8:00 pm | Registration Table Closes |
May 8th
Attraction
May 8th
Retention
Time | Session |
7:30 am | Breakfast and Registration Table Open |
8:30 am | Opening Remarks |
8:45 am | Keynote Speaker - The Economics of Immigration Siddhartha Bhattacharya, Senior Economist ATB Economics |
9:30 am | Immigration Attraction Panel with Q&A Federal - Yann Legrand, IRCC Provincial - Kim H Nguyen, Government of Alberta Municipal - Mayor Megan Hanson, Town of Sylvan Lake Industry - Yonathan Neguissie, JBS Food Canada |
10:30 am | Coffee Break |
10:45 am | Breakout Sessions 1 1A Immigration Law - Mark Holthe, Holthe Immigration Law 1B Rural Housing: What Developers Are Looking For and How To Be Development Ready |
11:25 am | Breakout Sessions 2 2A Online Marketing Tools - Brian Siddle, Strong Coffee Marketing 2B Rural Renewal Stream - Nataly Ore & Kim Nguyen, Government of Alberta Amy Allred, Town of Taber |
12:00 pm | Lunch - Sponsored by JBS Canada |
1:00 pm | Keynote Speaker Fariborz Birjandian - Retention of Newcomers in Alberta’s Rural Communities |
1:30pm | Settlement Panel with Q&A Provincial - Meghan Cunningham, Alberta Association of Immigrant Serving Agencies (AAISA) Settlement Agency - Ricardo Morales, Calgary Catholic Immigration Services Community - Brady Schnell Individual - Rowena Bazan |
2:30 am | Coffee Break |
2:45 pm | Breakout Sessions 3 3A Youth/SWIS - Lisa de Gara, Action for Healthy Community 3B Community Readiness - Tina Petrow, Councillor with the City of Airdrie Jennifer Mah, Local Immigration Partnership Programs, CCIS |
3:25 pm | Breakout Sessions 4 4A Local Immigration Partnerships - Meagan Reid, Bow Valley Immigration Partnership 4B Community Collaboration - Brooks and Area, Tips for Harmony instead of Rivalry |
4:00 pm | Closing Remarks |
5:30 pm | Bridging the Gap - Documentary Screening Premier screening of the documentary filmed in partnership between the University of Calgary and Grasslands Public Schools. |
Conference Venue & Accommodations
Bridging the Gap -Documentary Screening
Newcomer communities represent around 35% of the City of Brooks’ total population. These communities have helped researchers and educators join efforts to address immigrant anxiety and traumas in schools and community spaces. This documentary gives newcomer families a voice to not only share their stories but also to challenge current anti-immigration attitudes. Our goal with this screening is to foster genuine, empathetic, and positive relationships between resettled families and school/university partners. This documentary is a resource accessible on multiple platforms for school boards, government offices, and community stakeholders and offers everyone a perspective on exploring newcomer families’ successful integration into the school system, communities, and our society.
This film is a collaborative partnership between the University of Calgary and Grasslands Public Schools.
Sponsors & Partners
Contact Us
Telephone: 403.362.3333
www.BrooksRegion.ca
www.MoveToBrooks.ca
ecdev@brooks.ca
201 1st Ave West
Brooks, AB
T1R 1B7
