Canada is well known around the world for its vibrant cities and multicultural identity. Cities like Vancouver function as “gateways” to foreign countries, providing a cultural reference point for local-to-global engagements.
The key to optimizing Vancouver’s “locational advantage” as a global knowledge and innovation hub is developing a curator’s instinct for new sources of social and economic value as well as a strategist’s aptitude for combining different, but complementary perspectives, in an integrated manner.
Follow the conversation in Vancouver and learn more about VSIR’s growing contribution to the social, economic, and intellectual life of this exceptional city.
ENVISIONING A RESILIENT DELTA
The uneven geographic and social impacts of near-catastrophic floods along British Columbia’s Fraser River in May 2018, is further evidence that disaster-like conditions develop from the complex interaction of extreme environmental occurrences and human vulnerability. This necessitates a holistic understanding of both ecological and social dynamics along this “working” river.
FOUR PRINCIPLES TO GUIDE ENTRY-LEVEL KNOWLEDGE PROFESSIONALS
Knowledge mobilization is the foundation for building the multi-disciplinary thinking and the cross-functional workforce that Canada needs to remain competitive in a dynamic and knowledge-driven global economy. VSIR has identified four action-oriented principles that entry-level knowledge practitioners should prioritize to enhance their value proposition in this high-impact economic sector.
THE CHINA INTERNATIONAL IMPORT EXPO AND ITS IMPLICATIONS FOR CANADA-CHINA TRADE AND ECONOMIC RELATIONS
Two powerful countries will dominate Canada’s near-term future: The United States and the People’s Republic of China. The strategic decisions Canada makes regarding China in the next few years will have consequential outcomes for decades. This includes trade, bilateral economic relations, and much more.
SUSTAINABILITY OF THE FUTURE AND THE FUTURE OF SUSTAINABILITY
Achieving sustainable livelihood development that respects local environmental constraints poses a multi-generational challenge for India. Using alternative development models, it may be possible to transform a vicious cycle of environmental degradation and human insecurity into a virtuous cycle of knowledge exchange and inclusive growth.
UNDERSTANDING THE GLOBAL MIGRATION-SECURITY NEXUS
Cross-border migration flows continue to rise internationally. This intensifies inter-cultural relations, accelerates peer-to-peer engagements, and opens new pathways for knowledge creation.
TWENTY YEARS OF THE SOUTH ASIA NUCLEAR DOOMSDAY MACHINE
Security competition between India and Pakistan stretches the limits of global security-enhancing credentials. The tactical and strategic nuclear ambitions of both countries is driven by a perceived vulnerability that is rooted in history and which limit near-term options for a viable solution.
BRAVE NEW WORK: THE FUTURE OF WORK IN CANADA
Rapid technological growth is forcing a profound rethink of our economic, social, political, and physical infrastructures. These structural changes will soon require the adoption of new cognitive and behavioral capabilities, many of which are still unknown.
SUSTAINABLE BRANDS (SB) 2018 – REDESIGNING THE GOOD LIFE
The global sustainability challenge is formidable, but not hopeless. In fact, there are multiple pathways to global sustainability which encompass open innovation and discovery-driven learning in strategic sectors.
PACIFIC INNOVATION FAIR 2018
The digital transformation of the workplace and the structural configuration of the Canadian federal bureaucracy is no longer a futuristic fantasy. A redefined government-citizenship relationship has never looked so promising.
BRIDGING RESEARCH, POLICY AND PRACTICE: INTRODUCING THE UBC CLUSTER ON MIGRATION
Canada’s international reputation for welcoming and integrating newcomers is unparalleled. But ensuring that Canada remains a preferred migration destination will require risk-taking, foresight, and creative thinking.