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Barb Crompton
CCELD Executive Director
1077 Brook Gardens Marsh
Newmarket, ON
Canada L3Y 8W6
t: 905-836-7812
f: 905-751-1330

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Q1.      Why was the Dialogue created? 

A1.     In our rapidly changing world, the only possible assurance of organizational, community, national and regional viability and success are our human resources.  It is well demonstrated in both the public and private sectors that leadership effectiveness impacts results.  Investments in people, and in particular leadership learning and development, are critical investments in the future.

The CCELD was created to support leadership development premised on a multi-sectoral, multi-national and gender balanced approach to helping Canada and the Caribbean develop a new generation of leaders in the public and private sectors, equipped with the skills to resolve complex issues.  

Q2.      Why the Caribbean and Canada? 

A2.     The Dialogue supports the many close commercial and cultural ties between Canada and the Caribbean. The two share a belief in democracy, human rights and the rule of law.  We have strong human links through education, migration and tourism.  We have significant investments in financial institutions and beyond.  And, we also have a long history of economic and political co-operation and know that the best way to overcome our geography and small populations is to work together. 

Q3.      What is the significance of the Dialogue’s 2011 theme? 

A3.     Under the theme of “Growth Through Connection – Enabling Sustainable Progress,” participants will explore important strategic areas including governance, regional cooperation and infrastructure, innovation in public and private institutions, the environment, sustainable economic growth and social inclusion.  

Q4.      Who is responsible for running the Dialogue? 

A4.     The CCELD 2011 is a not-for-profit organization registered in Canada.  All funding goes to the support of the conference.  While a professional conference-organizing firm with experience in Canada and the Caribbean has been engaged to provide secretariat and logistics services, Conference Alumni from Canada and the Caribbean are taking the lead on a volunteer basis to plan and organize the CCELD. These alumni constitute an existing network to welcome Dialogue participants. Alumni also participate in the member selection process. 

Q5.      Who are the Dialogue’s Conference Co-chairs? 

A5.     There are five Conference Co-chairs who help frame the Dialogue for participants.  They are: 

          From Canada

          Sue Lee, Senior Vice President, Human Resources & Communications, Suncor Engergy Inc., Calgary, Alberta

Wendy Hannam, Executive Vice President, Scotiabank, International Banking, Toronto, Ontario 

          From the Caribbean

          Sir Roy Trotman, KA, General Secretary, The Barbados Workers Union

          Sir Richard Gozney, KCMG, CVO, Governor of Bermuda

Sandra Glasgow, Chief Executive Officer, The Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica 

Q6.      What are the benefits of the Dialogue for participants and their organizations? 

A6.     The CCELD has three primary objectives: 

1.  To make participants more effective leaders in achieving results for their organizations through expanding their understanding of key issues facing organizations, sectors, societies and nations in our region and exposing them to the strategies and approaches being taken by other senior leaders in dealing with these challenges.   

2.  To establish a strong peer network from business, government and civil society and across the Caribbean and Canada with a shared experience and commitment to shaping the future of their sectors, nations and the region. 

3.  To strengthen ties across the Caribbean and between it and Canada amongst people who will be important actors in business, labour, government and civil society for decades to come.  It will help break down barriers across sectors, cultures and nations. 

Q7.      Who participates in the Dialogue? 

A7.     The CCELD brings together 120 high calibre mid-career men and women selected from business, government, labour and civil society from across the Caribbean (which includes Bermuda and Bahamas) and Canada.  Caribbean countries represented include : Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, British Virgin Islands, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Saint Kitts & Nevis, Saint Lucia, Sint Maarten, Saint Vincent & the Grenadines, and Trinidad & Tobago. 

Q8.      What are the demographics of the participants? 

A8.     There are 80 participants from the Caribbean and 40 from Canada. The participant demographic will have a gender balance. 

Q9.      How were participants selected? 

A9.     Those proposed for participation by their sponsoring organization are seen as having potential for senior leadership positions and are expected to make a continuing contribution over a number of years. A selection committee reviews applications. For applications from both Canada and the Caribbean, the selection committee ensured balance of participation between countries, sectors as well as gender. 

Q10.    How much does the Dialogue cost? 

A10.     Please refer this question to the CCELD Secretariat. 

Q11.    Who pays for participants to be a part of the Dialogue?

A11.    Financial support for the Dialogue comes from the Government of Canada and Canadian private sector.  In-kind contributions are also made by a number of organizations within the Caribbean and Canada.  Participants’ own organizations are responsible for paying for their travel from home to Ottawa and from Barbados back home again. 

Q12.    What is the purpose of the study tour component of the Dialogue? 

A12.   The objective of the study tours and site-visits is leadership development, not policy setting or problem solving.  Participants will dialogue with leaders in multiple sectors to gain a better understanding around national, regional and global issues from the perspective of their hosts.  These visits will fuel the most important interactions, those between the participants themselves, as they reflect on and discuss what they have learned, challenging their own assumptions as well as those of their colleagues. 

Q13.    What parts of Canada and the Caribbean are participants visiting? 

A13.   The CCELD participants will be divided into 10 groups visiting one area in Canada and one Caribbean country. The Canadian locations being visited are as follows: Vancouver, BC; Calgary, AB; Winnipeg, MB; Toronto, ON; Sudbury, ON; Kingston, ON; Montreal, QB; Halifax, NS; and St. John’s, NL. The Caribbean locations are: Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, and Trinidad & Tobago.

Q14.    How were the travel locations selected? 

A14.     Locations were selected to provide participants with a representative insight into Canada and the Caribbean while exposing them to issues that are critical to the country/region.

Q15.   Is it necessary for participants to travel to so many places?

A15.   Canada and the Caribbean are both extremely diverse and understanding them as a whole is not possible by understanding only one part. However, visiting all locations in both countries/regions is not feasible.  To adjust for this, not all participants will be travelling to all destinations.  The Dialogue has been designed in such a way that groups will travel to different locations simultaneously and then share their learning with the entire cohort. This results in more efficient use of executive time in addition to limiting costs.

Q16.    Who do participants meet while they are participating in the Dialogue?

A16.   Participants will be visiting communities and workplaces from the public and private sectors as well as civil society.  These will be on-site visits to discuss with leaders in their environment the challenges they face, and the strategies used in meeting them.  Organizations visited will include those engaged in environmental management, tourism, education, health care, construction and infrastructure, culture, community work, finance and law enforcement/security, amongst others.  Such a diverse mix of visits exposes participants to a range of issues from multiple perspectives, allowing them to look beyond the scope of their regular context in their own organization and locale. 

Q17.    Who are participants meeting while in [your specific region or country]?

A17.     Please refer to the study tour agenda for your region or country.

Q18.    Is it true that HRH The Princess Royal, Princess Anne is involved with the Dialogue?

A18.    HRH The Princess Royal, Princess Anne is the Dialogue President.  She will be attending a number of Dialogue visits and events.  Her participation is focused on the CCELD.  HRH will not be taking media interviews nor question and answer sessions.