Commonwealth Study Conferences A Brief History. Roots… In 1918, Rev Robert Hyde, a vicar in East London founded the “Boy’s Welfare Association” – Rev.

Commonwealth Study Commonwealth Study ConferencesConferences

A Brief HistoryA Brief History

Roots…Roots…

In 1918, Rev Robert Hyde, a vicar in East In 1918, Rev Robert Hyde, a vicar in East London founded the “Boy’s Welfare Association” London founded the “Boy’s Welfare Association” – Rev Hyde had observed brutal working – Rev Hyde had observed brutal working conditions and believed that wealth creation did conditions and believed that wealth creation did not have to come at the expense of human not have to come at the expense of human dignity…dignity…By 1950, the organization had grown, been By 1950, the organization had grown, been renamed The Industrial Welfare Society. King renamed The Industrial Welfare Society. King George VI was the patronGeorge VI was the patronAfter the death of King George, HRH The Duke After the death of King George, HRH The Duke of Edinburgh became patronof Edinburgh became patron

An Idea!An Idea!

In May, 1954, John Marsh, then Director of In May, 1954, John Marsh, then Director of The Industrial Welfare Society, had an The Industrial Welfare Society, had an idea that he took to their Patron, Prince idea that he took to their Patron, Prince Philip. A Commonwealth and Empire Philip. A Commonwealth and Empire Conference was to be organized to study Conference was to be organized to study some of the human problems of some of the human problems of industry….industry….

The Key Man…The Key Man…

A young man was soon hired by the A young man was soon hired by the society, to be responsible for international society, to be responsible for international work – including this new project.. work – including this new project.. His name was Peter Parker…His name was Peter Parker…A meeting was called at Buckingham A meeting was called at Buckingham Palace in summer 1954 to discuss the Palace in summer 1954 to discuss the idea.. And it leaked to the press…idea.. And it leaked to the press…The proposed conference theme … The proposed conference theme … “The “The Social Responsibility of Industry”Social Responsibility of Industry”

Trouble!!!Trouble!!!

The Press identified Peter Parker as a The Press identified Peter Parker as a “leftie advisor to royalty…”“leftie advisor to royalty…”Industry (The FBI) and the Trade Unions Industry (The FBI) and the Trade Unions (TUC) were furious – seeing this as an (TUC) were furious – seeing this as an unwarranted and unwanted intrusion…unwarranted and unwanted intrusion…The meeting started on a difficult note with The meeting started on a difficult note with the FBI Leading with a “barrage of the FBI Leading with a “barrage of pompous platitudes…”pompous platitudes…”The TUC followed suit.The TUC followed suit.

Strong Leadership..Strong Leadership..

Prince Philip demonstrated a strong Prince Philip demonstrated a strong personal interest in the idea..personal interest in the idea..

The conference title was to be changed..The conference title was to be changed..

All agreed that the conference would not All agreed that the conference would not deal with matters that came within the deal with matters that came within the normal scope of collective bargaining..normal scope of collective bargaining..

Community and environmental issues Community and environmental issues would play a role..would play a role..

A Letter from Prince PhilipA Letter from Prince Philip

Their Last Meeting – Aboard ShipTheir Last Meeting – Aboard Ship

In Canada, Things are Different.. In Canada, Things are Different.. We have had a number of meetings on boats.. We have had a number of meetings on boats..

The First ConferenceThe First Conference

July 9-27, 1956 – Oxford UniversityJuly 9-27, 1956 – Oxford University““Welcome to the Great Experiment…” Welcome to the Great Experiment…” from Prince Philip…from Prince Philip…A number of Canadians Attended.. Jack A number of Canadians Attended.. Jack Armstrong reported for Group G (Swansea Armstrong reported for Group G (Swansea & London)& London)Bill Bennett (President of Atomic Energy of Bill Bennett (President of Atomic Energy of Canada gave one of the speeches at the Canada gave one of the speeches at the closingclosing

In Summing up Sir Philip Morris…In Summing up Sir Philip Morris…

… And that, of course, is what the ultimate outcome of this conference depends upon – I suppose that I have learned more than most of you; that was chiefly because I had so much more to learn. But if you have an equal determination with me to ensure that this is not only the very pleasant end of a beginning, but the very important beginning of something else – this conference will be remembered by our children and we shall delight to tell them about it, finishing with those wonderful words: “I was there….”

The End!!The End!!

The Great Experiment ended..The Great Experiment ended..

There was no plan for another…There was no plan for another…

A New BeginningA New Beginning

About 1958-9 a group of Canadians About 1958-9 a group of Canadians decided to try to organize a second decided to try to organize a second ConferenceConferencePrince Philip agreed to participate, and the Prince Philip agreed to participate, and the organization was under way..organization was under way..Gov. Gen. Vincent Massey was Chairman, Gov. Gen. Vincent Massey was Chairman, W.V.M. Ash (Shell Oil) was President and W.V.M. Ash (Shell Oil) was President and E.P. Taylor (Argus) was Hon. TreasurerE.P. Taylor (Argus) was Hon. TreasurerGordon Hawkins was Executive DirectorGordon Hawkins was Executive Director

The Second Conference.. The Second Conference.. May 13 – June 6, 1962May 13 – June 6, 1962

Final Report “Conference across a Continent” Final Report “Conference across a Continent” tells the story.. tells the story.. The Conference..The Conference..– Opened in MontrealOpened in Montreal– Study Tours in Ontario, Quebec, Newfoundland and Study Tours in Ontario, Quebec, Newfoundland and

Nova ScotiaNova Scotia– Plenary Sessions Ottawa & Toronto… Plenary Sessions Ottawa & Toronto… – Two Trains left Toronto for Vancouver Two Trains left Toronto for Vancouver – Other Plenary sessions in Winnipeg, Saskatoon and Other Plenary sessions in Winnipeg, Saskatoon and

EdmontonEdmonton– Closing at UBC in VancouverClosing at UBC in Vancouver

A Pattern AppearedA Pattern Appeared

In 1968, the third Conference took place in In 1968, the third Conference took place in AustraliaAustralia

1974 Was Next…1974 Was Next…

Initially planned for Africa.. Initially planned for Africa..

Then the CaribbeanThen the Caribbean

Finally the UKFinally the UK– John Garnet – a 1956 Alumni was head of the “The John Garnet – a 1956 Alumni was head of the “The

Industrial Society” – which for the second time, Industrial Society” – which for the second time, organized the Conferenceorganized the Conference

– Clive Peacock was Executive DirectorClive Peacock was Executive Director– Betty Sharp was responsible for the programBetty Sharp was responsible for the program– Sir Anthony Burney was responsible for fundingSir Anthony Burney was responsible for funding

1974 Conference1974 ConferenceOpening at the Sheldonian Theatre in OxfordOpening at the Sheldonian Theatre in Oxford

1974 Conference1974 ConferenceMeeting Lord MountbattenMeeting Lord Mountbatten

Back to CanadaBack to Canada

During the Summer of 1977, Betty Sharp, During the Summer of 1977, Betty Sharp, on vacation in Vancouver, asked for a on vacation in Vancouver, asked for a meeting all 16 alumni from BCmeeting all 16 alumni from BC

Thirteen people attendedThirteen people attended

Her message was simple – “1980 is Her message was simple – “1980 is Canada’s turn – are you on – or off??”Canada’s turn – are you on – or off??”

The Fifth ConferenceThe Fifth Conference

A letter to all alumni requested ideas..A letter to all alumni requested ideas..

A committee was formed.. And there were A committee was formed.. And there were concerns…concerns…– Could the money be raised?Could the money be raised?– Would Canada still exist in 1980Would Canada still exist in 1980– Could it be done – probably not..Could it be done – probably not..

Jack Armstrong joined the committee..Jack Armstrong joined the committee..– We would do it…We would do it…

The OrganizationThe Organization

Chaired by Doug GardinerChaired by Doug Gardiner

Funding by Ed BoveyFunding by Ed Bovey

At Large – Jack ArmstrongAt Large – Jack Armstrong

Executive Director – Lloyd HemsworthExecutive Director – Lloyd Hemsworth

Study Group ChairsStudy Group Chairs

Met in Calgary – Late 1979Met in Calgary – Late 1979

Prince Philip visited Canada at the time Prince Philip visited Canada at the time and spent time with the groupand spent time with the group

The 1980 ConferenceThe 1980 Conference

Opened at Queens University in Kingston, then Opened at Queens University in Kingston, then split in halfsplit in half– Governor General Ed Schreyer was a speakerGovernor General Ed Schreyer was a speaker– Eastern Study Groups stayed in KingstonEastern Study Groups stayed in Kingston– Western groups went to CalgaryWestern groups went to Calgary

The closing took place in Quebec CityThe closing took place in Quebec City

The final dinner was memorable…The final dinner was memorable…

Wind-up PartyWind-up Party

In the Fall of 1980, Bob Taylor hosted a In the Fall of 1980, Bob Taylor hosted a party in Toronto for the chairs and party in Toronto for the chairs and organizersorganizers

It was agreed that a follow-up should take It was agreed that a follow-up should take place – in London, provided Don Mitchell place – in London, provided Don Mitchell could get air travel donated for everyone!!could get air travel donated for everyone!!

Don completed his task within 2 daysDon completed his task within 2 days

February 1981February 1981

The group was hosted by Prince Philip at a The group was hosted by Prince Philip at a meeting and dinner at Buckingham Palacemeeting and dinner at Buckingham Palace

Mary Collins was the spokesperson…Mary Collins was the spokesperson…– 18 Years between Canadian Conferences was too 18 Years between Canadian Conferences was too

longlong– A Canadian event was being considered…A Canadian event was being considered…– Would Prince Philip be prepared to assist??Would Prince Philip be prepared to assist??

Prince Philip suggested that we contact the Prince Philip suggested that we contact the Governor General, and he offered to call himGovernor General, and he offered to call him

Summer 1981Summer 1981

A meeting was held in Winnipeg to discuss A meeting was held in Winnipeg to discuss the idea of contacting the Governor the idea of contacting the Governor GeneralGeneralThe Governor General, coincidently had The Governor General, coincidently had similar ideas, and learned about the similar ideas, and learned about the meeting – his office asked if he could meeting – his office asked if he could attendattendThe Governor General’s Canadian Study The Governor General’s Canadian Study Conference was bornConference was born

The Governor General’s First The Governor General’s First Canadian Study ConferenceCanadian Study Conference

Summer of 1983Summer of 1983Opened in Edmonton, Closed in OttawaOpened in Edmonton, Closed in OttawaSmaller event 225 members, 15 groupsSmaller event 225 members, 15 groupsChair – Bill Daniel (Shell)Chair – Bill Daniel (Shell)Funding Jack Armstrong (retired – Imperial Oil)Funding Jack Armstrong (retired – Imperial Oil)Executive Director – Malcolm MetcalfeExecutive Director – Malcolm MetcalfeCore support – 1980 Study Group ChairsCore support – 1980 Study Group ChairsThe organization has continued, grown and has The organization has continued, grown and has spawned another event of smaller but similar spawned another event of smaller but similar structurestructure

The Governor General’s First The Governor General’s First Canadian Study ConferenceCanadian Study Conference

1984 Meeting with Prince Philip1984 Meeting with Prince Philip

The Queen and Prince Philip visited The Queen and Prince Philip visited Canada in 1984, and the Royal Yacht Canada in 1984, and the Royal Yacht visited Torontovisited Toronto

A reception for alumni took place on the A reception for alumni took place on the Royal YachtRoyal Yacht

1986 and 19921986 and 1992

Australia and India did the 1986 Australia and India did the 1986 ConferenceConference– Two openings – one in Australia, and one in Two openings – one in Australia, and one in

IndiaIndia– Tours in India and AustraliaTours in India and Australia– Closing in SydneyClosing in Sydney

UK Organized the 1992 ConferenceUK Organized the 1992 Conference– OxfordOxford

1998 – Canada Again1998 – Canada Again

Huge Doubts…Huge Doubts…– Almost impossible to generate fundingAlmost impossible to generate funding

Hemi Mitic and Don McKenzie refused to Hemi Mitic and Don McKenzie refused to give up!give up!A modified formatA modified format– ShorterShorter– ““Pay for Play”Pay for Play”– No dedicated office – organized in record time No dedicated office – organized in record time

by Ian Anderson and his company by Ian Anderson and his company

1998 Study Conference1998 Study Conference

Chair – Fred Telmer (Stelco)Chair – Fred Telmer (Stelco)

Funding - Don McKenzie and Hemi MiticFunding - Don McKenzie and Hemi Mitic

Executive Director – Ian AndersonExecutive Director – Ian Anderson

Opened in Mount TremblantOpened in Mount Tremblant– HRH The Duke of Kent attendedHRH The Duke of Kent attended

Closed in Ottawa Closed in Ottawa – HRH The Prince PhilipHRH The Prince Philip

The Present…The Present…

The 2003 Conference was held in The 2003 Conference was held in Australia & New Zealand.Australia & New Zealand.

The 2007 Conference was held in India The 2007 Conference was held in India and Malaysiaand Malaysia

The Governor General’s Canadian Study The Governor General’s Canadian Study Conference has occurred 7 timesConference has occurred 7 times

Looking BackLooking Back

Each Study Conference has re-invented Each Study Conference has re-invented itself – changing with the times…itself – changing with the times…

But in looking at the roots leading to the But in looking at the roots leading to the 1956 Conference, the fundamentals have 1956 Conference, the fundamentals have remained clearly intactremained clearly intact