Full schedule released for inaugural Charlottetown Forum

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October 11, 2023 – Two national events featuring leaders in politics, journalism, and the arts will be hosted by Confederation Centre of the Arts in November. The long-running Symons Medal Presentation and Lecture and inaugural Charlottetown Forum will take place from Wednesday, November 8 – Friday, November 10 and allow for the public to convene for discussions on matters of importance to all Canadians.

The Symons Medal recognizes an individual who has made an exceptional contribution to Canadian life. Held annually, the medal presentation and its associated lecture offer a national platform for an eminent Canadian to discuss the nation’s current state, shared histories, and prospects using themes related to their professional pursuits.

The lecture will be followed by the Charlottetown Forum – a new event that seeks to promote open learning and sharing of diverse perspectives about the evolving identity of Canada. The Forum will feature three panel discussions and public roundtables on the topics of immigration, economic reconciliation, and finding shared national narratives in a fractured time.

Forum speakers include Jesse Wente, journalist, author, and chair of the board of the Canada Council for the Arts; Naheed Nenshi, political commentator and former mayor of Calgary; Kateri Coade, executive director of the Mi’kmaq Confederacy of P.E.I.; and Elamin Abdelmahmoud, author and journalist.

Charlottetown Forum passholders receive two full days of programming. Alongside the panels are networking opportunities with speakers, a guided tour of Confederation Centre Art Gallery, and a historic walking tour of downtown Charlottetown.

“At a time of increasing divisiveness, Confederation Centre of the Arts has a duty to provide opportunities for intercultural understanding so that we can make real progress on real issues,” says CEO Steve Bellamy. “The Charlottetown Forum is an occasion for listening and genuinely considering perspectives other than our own.”

Francesca Perez, director of arts education and heritage, adds, “We have curated an impressive group of speakers for this inaugural Forum, and are thrilled to be hosting these engaging conversations in Charlottetown.”

The Symons Medal Presentation and Lecture will take place at the Centre’s Sobey Family Theatre on Wednesday, November 8 at 1 p.m. and will also be livestreamed on the Centre’s Facebook and YouTube channels. Admission is free, but a ticket is required.

The Charlottetown Forum will be held on Thursday, November 9 and Friday, November 10. A Forum pass is $50 (plus taxes and fees), or $25 (plus taxes and fees) for students. Visit confederationcentre.com/charlottetownforum for a full schedule of events.

Tickets for both events and can be booked online at confederationcentre.com, via phone at 1-800-565-0278, or in person at the Centre’s box office.

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Media Contact:
Emily McMahon, Communications Manager, Confederation Centre of the Arts
[email protected] | 902-628-6135