For example, we will need input from the research community to devise civic education strategies to raise awareness among newcomers and the general public of the rights and obligations of citizenship. We will need more data and better information on the benefits of diversity to build more public support for immigration and multiculturalism. The outline for this plenary states that the challenge is to build cohesive societies by encouraging immigrants and their children to become full, active members of their communities and the societies they are entering. It is obviously necessary to focus on immigrants. But I would also argue that it is equally important to ensure that the societies they enter are welcoming and receptive.
Social cohesion works both ways.
Clearly, for a country like Canada whose future depends heavily on immigration, more research is needed to understand better how to manage both sides of this challenge. I would like to close by taking this opportunity to publicly congratulate Canada's Metropolis Project Team. They were recently honoured with the 1999 Head of the Public Service Award for Excellence in Policy. Keep up the good work. It is needed.