Tuesday, 13 March 2018

Inclusivity is our strength!

‘Diversity is a source of our strength not weakness! But inclusion is a choice,’ said Jennifer Daubeny, Consul General for Canada, at a programme organized by the Research Department of English, University of Madras. Quoting statistics, she added that, ‘As much as over 50 per cent of Torontonians have been born in other countries, while 22 per cent of all Canadians have immigrated to the country.’

She also highlighted the Canadian attitude towards sustained inclusivity, stating that, ‘the Canadian approach is to embrace all people irrespective of their differences.’

The Immigration Minister Ahmed Hussen had recently said that Canada has set a target to admit nearly one million immigrants over the next three years, she said, adding that, the Canadian government has always extended an open arm to Syrian refugees.

In this context, the Immigration minister had also stated that, by the year 2036, 100 per cent of Canada's population growth will be as a result of immigration, it stands at about 75 per cent today.

Ms. Daubeny was all appreciation for a team of students from Loyola College, Chennai, who had come to the embassy to give a petition commending the welcoming of refugees to Canada. Stating that, around three million Canadians were Indians, Jennifer said that, Canada just has a population of a little over 36 million, and proclaimed the government’s resolve to embracing diversity.

She also cited from Atwood’s Surfacing, where the overwhelming, dominant theme was the land. The difficult terrain, and a challenging geography have been on-going themes in Canadian writing, she averred, and also appreciated the Dept of English, University of Madras for being proactively engaged with Canadian Literature. Professor P Duraisamy, Vice-Chancellor, University of Madras presided over the function, and Dr. S. Armstrong, Professor & Head, Department of English, welcomed the gathering. The programme was followed by a wonderful play staged by Curtain Call, the Theatre Wing of the Department of English, based on Leacock's 'Defective Detective.'

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