Posted Sep. 1/05
The level of commitment Canadians have to democracy is central to our society.
But lately our democratic fabric has been challenged by a broad sense of apathy displayed by the public, distrust or dislike of politicians, and a marked decline in young people’s involvement in public life. There is also a general concern that some voices on Parliament Hill, as well as provincial legislatures and municipal councils, are edging out other voices that deserve an equal amount of air time.
At the Faculty of Public Affairs and Management, we are examining these trends in the hopes of offering lasting solutions. For example, Jon Pammett continues to gauge levels of voter apathy in Canada. The Associate Dean and political science professor works closely with an international research group in Sweden to alleviate a growing problem that affects all major democracies.
You will also hear from Chris Waddell on public opinion polling and whether polls accurately reflect the mood of voters in the days before an election. As Carleton’s Carty Chair in Business and Financial Journalism and a former Ottawa bureau chief with the Globe and Mail, Chris has extensive experience in this area.
On the alumni side, you will hear from John Manley, who recently served as Canada’s Deputy Prime Minister. The former Member of Parliament talks about the rigours of politics, how to successfully affect change and what backbenchers can do to make themselves heard.
There are also many initiatives within our faculty that address the pressing challenges I’ve mentioned above. One of the most hands-on ways we do this is through our many co-op programs, which place students in non-governmental organizations, as well as the public, voluntary and private sectors. These co-op terms give students a sense of what it means to be a responsible citizen — a key ingredient for mending less-than-stellar levels of youth involvement in public life. This issue highlights some of our programs, but certainly not all.
If there is one thing readers should take away from this issue, it’s this: The Faculty of Public Affairs and Management is committed to improving our understanding of civic society and how to continue having a vital and strong democracy.
Please enjoy this issue of pamorama.
Katherine Graham
Dean, Faculty of Public Affairs and Management