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Simcoe County Local Immigration Partnership raises awareness about cultural competency

March 26, 2014   ·   0 Comments

The Simcoe County Local Immigration Partnership hosted the first ever Cultural Competency Learning Symposium “Learning Together, Growing Together”, on Tuesday, March 18, 2014. The Symposium, attended by more than 170 delegates, was designed to inform and educate local business owners and stakeholders about serving and working with newcomers in our communities.

Exhibits, workshops and keynote presentations were held throughout the day and covered a wide-range of topics. Highlights included presentations from Winnie Wong, ranked one of Canada’s Top 25 Immigrants in 2013 by Canadian Immigrant Magazine, an address from Superintendent Charles Cox, Ontario Provincial Police, and an informative discussion from a panel of newcomers living in Simcoe County.

“With our diversity, openness and abundant opportunities, Simcoe County is an attractive destination for newcomers to call home,” said Warden Cal Patterson. “Programs and events, such as this symposium, benefit the entire region as they further educate our residents and service providers about how to work with newcomers for the greater good of our economy, labour force and communities.”

The Symposium aligns with the Welcoming Communities Framework, a recommendation of the community settlement strategy. The Framework provides suggestions, tips and checklists to help stakeholders in our communities reach out to and welcome immigrants living in our communities. The document was introduced to the public for the first time during the Symposium.

“It is vital that our community stakeholders and businesses adapt to changes in our population and labour force,” said Sandra Lee, Project Manager, County of Simcoe Local Immigration Partnership. “The Cultural Competency Symposium was a tremendous success and we look forward to continuing to implement strategies from the Welcoming Communities Framework to enhance our regional cultural competency.”

The Simcoe County Local Immigration Partnership is funded by Citizenship and Immigration Canada. The Partnership Council is comprised of numerous community leaders, including representatives from education, policing, libraries, economic development, health, housing family counselling and supports, employment services, settlement services, government, and the United Way of Greater Simcoe County. Visit immigration.simcoe.ca for more information.

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