Caribbean-Canada Emerging Leaders' Dialogue

The Caribbean Canada Emerging Leaders Dialogue 2011 (CCELD) brought together from May 28 to June 12 2011 120 high calibre mid-career individuals selected from business government labour and civil society from across the Caribbean (80 participants) and Canada (40 participants) for a leadership exchange. Under the theme 'Growth Through Connections: Enabling Sustainable Progress' the development forum was launched in Ottawa on May 27 followed by 10 study groups spending time in one Canadian and one Caribbean location. All participants reconvened for the closing Dialogue in Barbados on June 8 and 9. Discussions and site visits focused on the theme of stimulating sustainable economic growth in a range of sectors including finance and industry environmental sustainability with a focus on mining agriculture and forestry and strengthening governance practices in both public and private institutions. This initiative is Canada-Caribbean driven and aims to enhance Canada-Caribbean relationships. Major financial support has been raised from the Canadian private sector and financial and in-kind contributions have been received from Caribbean governments institutions and the private sector. The CCELD is modelled after the Duke of Edinborough Commonwealth Study Conference (CSC) that for fifty years has brought together leaders from diverse backgrounds and occupations to learn from each other and enhance the quality of their leadership and decision-making. The CCELD is governed by a Board of Directors who are experienced leaders from Canada and the Caribbean and are previous alumni of the CSC. The CCELD Canada Inc is a not-for-profit organization established by Canadian and Caribbean alumni of The Duke of Edinburgh Commonwealth Study Conference.