Mandate and Strategic Plan
Its mandate is to promote worldwide scholarly study, research, teaching and publication about Canada in all disciplines and all countries. Within this general mandate, the ICCS has identified three major objectives and priority areas:
- Promotion of scholarly activities -- To organize world-class scholarly activities and to contribute to the establishment and development of Canadian Studies in universities of all countries where there is a demonstrated interest.
- Creation of an international community of Canadianists -- To contribute to the creation and development of an international community of Canadianists and to act as an information resource for this community.
- Communication of the results of research and public awareness -- To disseminate, in Canada and abroad, the results of research, study and other scholarly activities undertaken by Canadianists in all countries, and to promote public awareness of Canadian Studies.
The ICCS also acts as administrative agent of the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada for most of the Department's Canadian Studies Programs. The ICCS also maintains its own scholarship programs and awards.
The ICCS is supported in its fundraising and promotional efforts by the Friends of the Council," a group of prominent Canadians, chaired by Dr. Victor Rabinovitch.
Strategic Plan 2008-2013
The ICCS has operated on the basis of strategic plans since 1995.1 Preparations for the 2008-2013 Strategic Plan started in 2006, when the decision was taken to organize in 2007 a forum on the theme Teaching and Research in Canadian Studies in the Changing Academic World. In preparation of the forum a Canadian Studies survey was carried out in July 2006. The forum was held May 24, 2007 in Edmonton in conjunction with the ICCS annual general meeting. It focused on four topic areas – research, teaching, rejuvenation and outreach – of which the main challenges and objectives were discussed, as well as the strategies to meet these challenges and the resources needed for implementing these strategies. They have been used as building blocks for the new Strategic Plan that, like previous plans, sets its goals and objectives for a period of five years.
The 2008-2013 Strategic Plan differs considerably from earlier ones. Whereas the implementation of former strategic plans was left entirely to the ICCS secretariat, the new plan will be implemented not only by ICCS secretariat but also by the Board of Directors of the ICCS. The 2008-2013 Strategic Plan proposes new directions for the ICCS and its members that emphasize the potential to meet the changes taking place within the global academic communities and the political climate currently in place in Canada.
