November 7, 2007

by Her Excellency Michaëlle Jean

After Calgary, Winnipeg, Toronto, Montreal, Rio (Brazil) and Bronkhorstrpruit (South Africa), it’s time for young artists in Ottawa and Gatineau to have their turn and get together for a new forum on the urban arts. It will take place at Cub SAW, in the heart of the capital, on Wednesday, November 7. Participants in the forum will include not only 125 young artists who are very active in their community, but also the decision makers, social and political leaders, members of the Order of Canada, and philanthropists we invited to take part.

We were inspired to hold forums on the urban arts after meetings we had with young people across Canada who have chosen art as a means of reacting to and acting in light of all the difficult social realities in their neighbourhoods, cities and communities. Art in reaction to and in action against violence, exclusion, indifference, silence, isolation, waste, an “everyone-for-themselves” attitude, and the deterioration of people’s living environments. Art in all its forms—theatre, music, poetry, slam, popping, locking, dance, hip hop, video, multimedia—to help these young people get off the streets, pool their efforts, think, assert themselves, find their place, help change things, rediscover a taste for life, communicate, transcend differences and find a way to live together better.

I would like to see the networks between all these committed young people across the country—and across our geographic borders—expanded and reinforced. During my State visits abroad, I tried to build bridges between the youth of Canada and young people in South Africa and Brazil who are working in that same spirit and with the same tools in marginalized neighbourhoods.

I am inspired by all the constructive effects the initiatives of these young people have had. I also saw that my presence alone reinforced the validity and scope of their actions in the eyes of the decision makers I had brought with me to listen and take part in the discussions. I saw them take notes, become involved, and then leave with ideas of how they could fulfil their promises of support. I am also inspired by the enthusiasm of the philanthropic members of the Order of Canada who are also teaming up with young people to finance their projects and find spaces where they can create. Bringing different generations together is essential; they learn from one another and strengthen ties of solidarity. All of these efforts to bring people together and raise their awareness can change mentalities and attitudes.

What I have learned and discovered by taking part in discussions like this has helped me in my duties and responsibilities as Governor General.

I will tell you all about our meeting at Ottawa’s Club SAW in my next blog and I invite all those taking part in the forum to share their reactions on this site. I also ask all of you to tell us what you think about these kinds of meetings.