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Big ideas meet open dialogue in the birthplace of Canada.
Artists, thought leaders, and experts will come together to explore today’s most pressing national issues—polarization in public discourse, the need for climate action, and the future of Canadian healthcare.
More than a conference, the Forum integrates artistic and cultural perspectives, turning discussions into experiences that resonate beyond the room. Expect dynamic panels, interactive open discussions, and powerful, inspirational artistic responses.
Engage, ask questions, and shape the conversations that matter. Passionate about social change, intrigued by the role of art in public dialogue, or simply looking for thought-provoking, meaningful discussion? Join us at Confederation Centre of the Arts and take part in a transformative exchange of ideas—because the future of Canada is a conversation we all have a voice in.
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2025 Charlottetown Forum – Agenda Summary
Day #1 – Friday, May 23, 2025
2:00 – 2:30 pm | Opening Ceremony | Indigenous Welcome | PEI Poet Laureate, Tanya Davis
2:30 – 3:00 pm | History of Confederation | PEI Presentation
3:00 – 4:00 pm | PANEL #1 – Restoring Dialogue in an Age of Polarization
4:15 – 5:00 pm | OPEN DISCUSSION
5:00 – 6:00 pm | Confederation Centre Art Gallery Tour | Pan Wendt, Curator (Forum Pass holders only)
Day #2 – Saturday, May 24, 2025
10:00 – 11:00 am | PANEL #2 – Responding to Climate Change
11:15 – 12:00 pm | OPEN DISCUSSION
12:15 – 1:15 pm | Catered Lunch (Forum Pass holders only)
1:30 – 2:30 pm | Performance by River Clyde Pageant (Forum Pass holders only)
3:00 – 4:00 pm | PANEL #3 – A Collective Approach to Canadian Healthcare
4:15 – 5:00 pm | OPEN DISCUSSION | Group Activity
5:00 – 6:30 pm | Closing Event | Poetic Respondent’s reflection reading
Day #1 : Friday, May 23, 2025
2:00 – 3:00 pm: Kickoff event
The Charlottetown Forum opening will include an introduction to Confederation and PEI that incorporates both its Indigenous and settler colonial history, contextualizing the conversations, and acknowledging the site’s rich history.
The Forum will also include with an introduction to its Poetic Respondent, PEI Poet Laureate Tanya Davis. As Poet Laureate, Tanya speaks to local issues and events and advocates for literacy, literature, and the power of words. As Poetic Respondent of the Forum, Tanya will attend the panels and discussions taking place during the Forum, and craft and present a poetic response to the Forum’s themes at the closing reception.
3:00 – 4:00 pm:
PANEL #1: Restoring Dialogue in an Age of Polarization
In an era of growing polarization, unreliable information, and the clash between opinions and facts, how can we engage in meaningful discussions on issues that impact us all? Our panelists will explore the diminishing practice of civic discourse and offer insights on how we can rebuild dialogue and foster collaboration in society.
Panelists include Sabreena Delhon, CEO of the Samara Centre for Democracy; Drew Fagan professor and public policy advisor, Owais Lightwala, professor, artistic producer and tech entrepreneur, and will be moderated by Tech Journalist and Broadcaster, Nora Young.
Panellists
Nora Young
Tech Journalist and Broadcaster, CBC (ON)
Sabreena Delhon
CEO, Samara Centre for Democracy (ON)
Drew Fagan
Professor and public policy advisor (ON)
Owais Lightwala
Professor, artistic producer and tech entrepreneur (ON)
4:15 – 5:00 PM OPEN DISCUSSION
5:00 – 6:00 PM Guided tour of the Confederation Centre Art Gallery w/ Pan Wendt, Curator (Forum Pass holders only)
Day #2 : Saturday, May 24, 2025
10:00 – 11:00 am: PANEL #2: Responding to Climate Change
As a small island on Canada’s East Coast, Prince Edward Island is uniquely positioned to experience the immediate impacts of climate change. This panel will bring together Islanders to explore the pressing issues of rising sea levels, increasing temperatures, and coastal erosion. The discussion will highlight how sectors on PEI, including creative practices, on PEI are engaging with these environmental challenges, reflecting the island’s climate realities, and inspiring action. Islanders are not only documenting the changes but also shaping conversations around climate resilience and sustainability, both locally and globally.
Panelists include: Stephanie Arnold, PEI climate specialist for CLIMAtlantic; Kim Griffin, manager of sustainability and corporate communications at Maritime Electric; and Melissa Peter-Paul, award-winning quill artist from Lennox Island. This panel will be moderated.
Panellists
Moderator TBA
This Panel will be Moderated
Stephanie Arnold
PEI climate specialist for CLIMAtlantic (PE)
Kim Griffin
Director of sustainability and corporate communications, Maritime Electric (PE)
Melissa Peter-Paul
Award-winning quill artist, Abegweit First Nation (Epekwitk / PE)
1:15 am – 12:00 pm: OPEN DISCUSSION
12:15 – 1:15 pm: Catered Lunch (Forum Pass holders only)
1:30 – 2:30 pm: Performance by members of the River Clyde Pageant (Forum Pass holders only)
River Clyde Arts is Prince Edward Island’s leading organization in the field of art for social change. River Clyde Arts ignites the artistry and imagination within rural communities on PEI to create seasonal, outdoor performances and art events that illuminate the land and its people.
The River Clyde Pageant is the central event of the River Clyde Arts Season. Each summer’s Pageant rallies hundreds of local creatives, volunteers, professional and emerging artists of all ages in the making of this imaginative outdoor spectacle, performed on the fields and shorelines of New Glasgow, PEI. Featuring stilt walkers, large puppets, dancers, a choir, and outdoor spectacle and scenography, the River Clyde Pageant offers a joyful and contemplative journey towards deeper relationships with nature and all our kin.
For the Charlottetown Forum, a small ensemble have come together to share excerpts from past editions of The River Clyde Pageant. This piece is directed by Megan Stewart, with music direction by Marti Hopson, puppets by Laura Stinson and text by Tanya Davis.
Photos Credit: Andrew MacInnis
3:00 – 4:00 pm:
PANEL #3: A Collective Approach to Canadian Healthcare
What happens when we expand our idea of healthcare beyond clinics and hospitals? This panel brings together four physicians from across Canada to explore the deep-rooted systemic barriers to equitable care—and how creative, interdisciplinary approaches, including the use of the arts, can lead to more compassionate and effective healthcare. Join us for a dynamic conversation on reimagining care, where medicine meets innovation, and where every voice matters.
Panelists include: Dr. Megan Miller, PEI’s first chief physician recruiter and palliative care physician; Dr. Paula Cashin, a Mi’kmaw physician whose advocacy work looks at systemic barriers that prevent equity-seeking groups from entering the medical profession; and Dr. Eberhard Renner, former head of the liver transplant program at Toronto General, retired professor of medicine at the University of Manitoba, and now a full-time artist .
The panel will be moderated by Dr. Jillian Horton, award winning medical educator, writer, musician and podcaster.
Panellists
Dr. Jillian Horton
Award-winning medical educator, writer, musician and
podcaster (MB)
Dr. Eberhard Renner
Former head of the liver transplant program at Toronto General, retired professor of medicine at the University of Manitoba, and now a full-time artist (MB)
Dr. Megan Miller
PEI’s first chief physician recruiter and palliative care physician (PE)
Dr. Paula Cashin
Mi’kmaw physician whose advocacy work looks at systemic barriers that prevent equity-seeking groups from entering the medical profession (NL)
4:15 – 5:00 PM OPEN DISCUSSION & GROUP ACTIVITY
Facilitator: Nick MacDonald, Director of Choral Music at Confederation Centre of the Arts, will lead attendees in a participatory music workshop, while discussing the physical and psychosocial health benefits of group singing.
5:00 – 6:30 PM Closing Event and reading of the Poetic Respondent’s reflection on the 2025 Forum.
A LOOK BACK AT THE 2023 CHARLOTTETOWN FORUM
Panel #1 – Newcomers, Immigration, and the Needs of a Rapidly Changing National Community – Discussion
Panel #1 – Newcomers, Immigration, and the Needs of a Rapidly Changing National Community – Q&A
Panel #2 – Economic Reconciliation – Discussion
Panel #2 – Economic Reconciliation – Q&A
Panel #3 – Shared Narratives in a Fractured Time – Discussion
Panel #3 – Shared Narratives in a Fractured Time – Q&A
Learn more about Heritage Programming
Contact Francesca Perez, Director of Arts Education and Heritage
902-629-1178 or fperez@confederationcentre.com