A Critical Conversation – Working through the Economic Crisis: The Future of Canada’s Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector – January 30, 2009

As the economic crisis unfolds, the nonprofit and voluntary sector is facing an extraordinarily difficult time as both philanthropic and public funding have dropped dramatically while demands for services increase. The roots and nature of the financial crisis may also lead to major shifts of the Canadian public about sense of community responsibility and service.

A “Critical Conversation” discussing this key issue was held on January 30th 2009 at Carleton University bringing together leaders in the nonprofit/voluntary sector, business as well as policy makers to discuss the implications of the financial crises on the nonprofit/voluntary sector and potential strategies and policies to deal with it.

Figuring out how to respond effectively cannot be done by the public, private or nonprofit/voluntary sector alone: it will take a deeper understanding across sectors and undoubtedly coordinated and concurrent efforts. Our goal of this “Critical Conversation” was to bring together key players to discuss and strategize on this crucial issue.

This Critical Conversation was hosted by the School of Public Policy and Administration of Carleton University (led by the Centre for Voluntary Sector Research and Development) and in collaboration with the Wellesley Institute.

Biographies

  • Biographies of Speakers: A Critical Conversation – Working through the Economic Crisis (PDF, 227 Kb)

Welcome and Opening Remarks

Panel #1 Context – What is the Situation?

Panel #2 Impact on the Sector

Panel #3 Policy Responses and Strategies