How will age, diversity of Valley impact future generations?
For years the Okanagan has been among the most popular places in Canada to retire, but what kind of a future will that create for the region?
With one of the oldest populations in North America, will the Okanagan be a socially and economically sustainable community? How will the region retain youth and attract continuing investment and newcomers? What social, cultural and economic mixes are desirable?
Along with long-time residents, the Okanagan also attracts seasonal waves of migrant workers and tourists. Does the current demographic mix position the region for long-term wellbeing? How does the population affect the experience of belonging?
A panel of experts will discuss these varied and diverse issues in the University of British Columbia’s Dialogues forum on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. in the ballroom of the Okanagan campus University Centre, 3333 University Way.
Experts from UBC and the community will discuss the expected challenges, opportunities, and benefits of fostering a region rich in its mix of religious beliefs, world views and cultural backgrounds.
The panel consists of Robert Fine, director, Economic Development Commission with the Central Okanagan Regional District; Alden Habacon, director, Intercultural Understanding Strategy Development, UBC’s Vancouver campus; and UBC Okanagan campus academics Shirley Chau, assistant professor, School of Social Work; and Carlos Teixeira, associate professor of human geography, Irving K. Barber School of Arts and Sciences.
Paul Kennedy, host of CBC Radio One’s Ideas will be moderator for the event.
RSVP online at http://www.alumni.ubc.ca/2011/events/dialogues/ubc-dialogues-kelowna by Friday, Sept. 23. For more information, contact Erica Triggs at erica.triggs@ubc.ca, or 250-807-9360.
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