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Written By: Becky Cowen, Director Immigration & Community Integration | December 19, 2024
How do we build communities where newcomers feel at home and thrive?
That question was at the heart of Pathways to Prosperity’s 12th Annual National Conference, where the Pictou County Partnership joined over 850 settlement professionals in Vancouver to explore innovative ways to support newcomers across Canada.
Canada’s immigration settlement sector plays a pivotal role in integrating newcomers into our social, economic, and cultural fabric. In Pictou County, we’re fortunate to have dedicated local partners like the YMCA Centre of Immigrant Programs, who work tirelessly to ensure newcomers feel supported and welcomed. These efforts are crucial for fostering a thriving, inclusive community.
The conference’s theme of inclusive collaboration for collective impact aligns perfectly with our approach to economic development. Strong partnerships across sectors—including business, government, and community organizations—are essential to creating welcoming communities that attract and retain international talent.
Over two days, we:
- Participated in thought-provoking plenary sessions that showcased how partnerships spark creative solutions.
- Heard an inspiring keynote from Jennilee Austria-Bonifacio on the power of empathy and cultural understanding.
- Chose from 80 workshops exploring topics like emerging best settlement practices, community building, and fostering inclusion.
We were reminded of the invaluable expertise and empathy our settlement partners bring to Pictou County. If you’re a business leader or community member looking to make a difference, connect with local settlement organizations and our Community Connections Coordinator to explore ways to engage with newcomers and support their journey.
Jennilee Austria-Bonifacio, author of Reuniting with Strangers and founder of Filipino Talks, shared powerful insights about supporting Filipino newcomers and overcoming family separation challenges. Her heartfelt presentation highlighted the value of empathy and cultural understanding—lessons we’ll carry forward in our work. For educators, the Philippines Arts & Social Studies in the Ontario Curriculum project (PASSOC) offers incredible resources for cultural education. Learn more at www.passocproject.com.
Returning from the Pathways to Prosperity conference, we’re inspired by the possibilities for Pictou County. By collaborating with incredible partners like the YMCA Centre for Immigrant Programs, the North Shore Local Immigration Partnership, ISANS, and our Community Connections volunteers, we’re working to make Pictou County a place where newcomers, businesses, and the community thrive together – a welcoming community in action.
To learn more about Pathways to Prosperity and their incredible work in creating a national alliance dedicated to providing an evidence base for newcomer settlement & integration and the promotion of welcoming communities in Canada, visit: http://p2pcanada.ca/ .