Rt. Hon. Robert L. Stanfield Conversations

Honouring the man and his principles

Stanfield had the unique quality of allowing his principles and values to guide his political decisions. He was committed to doing what he thought was right or good for the county (or province) rather than what was popular or would win elections – a rare quality in politics. 

In today’s high-speed political climate, where issues and challenges arise at a dizzying rate, there is a need for more of Stanfield’s thoughtful, ethically-guided approach. One that is founded in principles and puts a stronger and more civilized Canada above  all else.

THE RT. HON. ROBERT L. STANFIELD CONVERSATIONS will not only honour this outstanding Canadian and his contribution to public life but highlight, for current and future leaders, the need for a vibrant democracy guided by integrity and decency. 

Focus on democracy

“WHERE IS DEMOCRACY TODAY?”  will be the over-arching focus of the series. Conversations will address themes of both urgent contemporary and enduring importance. Topics may be national or international in scope and explore issues such as populism and the new authoritarianism, ethics in politics, inequality and democracy or accommodating division and diversity. The series will highlight diverse political orientations, while honouring Stanfield’s enduring contributions to public policy and public service grounded in decency and integrity.

Speakers will be chosen from the ranks of distinguished academics, past or present politicians, non-elected political practitioners, journalists, public service, civil society and private sector leaders and public intellectuals. In selecting speakers and topics, the aim will be to meet the highest standards of academic and public interest.

Inaugural conversation: Democracy on Edge

The inaugural conversation took place Thursday, September 23, 2021 and featured Professor Charles Taylor, an internationally celebrated Canadian political philosopher whose wide-ranging work has bridged philosophical theory and political action, and Professor Simone Chambers, a leading international specialist in democracy studies. The moderator was Dalhousie alum and host of CBC’s Power and Politics, Vassy Kapelos.

Stanfield Conversation 2022: Technology, Media Fragmentation, and the Crisis of Democracy in America

The discussion of “Democracy on Edge” laid the foundation for future Stanfield Conversations, delving into both urgent contemporary challenges and perennial dilemmas facing democracies world-wide. We continue this process of exploration with the second Stanfield Conversation on “Technology, Media Fragmentation, and the Crisis of Democracy in America.” The event took place on Thursday, October 20, 2022, and featrured leading political scientists and communications specialists Dr. Kathleen Hall Jamieson, Dr. Ron Deibert, and Dr. Elizabeth Dubois. The moderator of the 2022 Conversation was the host of CBC Nova Scotia's Information Morning and Dalhousie alum, Ms. Portia Clark.

Thank you to CBC Nova Scotia for sponsoring both the 2021 and 2022 Stanfield Conversations. 

Governance

The series is supported by an Advisory Council of respected Canadians from across the country – many prominent practitioners and scholars of democratic politics - led by co-chairs the Rt. Hon. Joe Clark and the Hon. Anne McLellan (former Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister respectively). Operational activities are managed by a Dalhousie-based organizing committee, supported by the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, the Department of Political Science, the President’s office, the Office of Advancement, and Communications, Marketing & Creative Services.

Please contact rlsconv@dal.ca if you have any questions about the Stanfield Conversations. 

Fundraising goal

To ensure the long term sustainability of the events and conversations, sufficient capital will be endowed to provide annual funding in perpetuity.

The annual income on the endowment will cover the costs of presenting high quality programming in a modern format that is suitable for wide distribution on various audio, video and social media platforms, as well as in print publications.