The federal-provincial government’s Welcoming and Inclusive Communities and Workplaces Project (WICWP) initiative supports five types of projects:

• Community Partnership Development - to help key stakeholder groups form formal partnerships and collaborations that support a common vision within their community of interest to foster welcoming and inclusive communities (e.g. a charter, community accord, memorandum of understanding, action plan)
• Knowledge Development and Exchange Venues - to increase awareness and understanding by community members and stakeholders (e.g. community forums, presentations, workshops, consultations and conferences);
• Public Education Resources - to increase awareness and understanding by the community at large (e.g. print materials, toolkits, videos, online and interactive materials, research reporting, visual and performing arts);
• Demonstration Projects - to develop new and innovative strategies that will address settlement and multiculturalism issues, help to integrate immigrants and refugees, develop workplace diversity/cultural competence, or enhance social engagement and inclusion.
• Community Dialogues – to convene local dialogues on themes related to multiculturalism, elimination of racism, and supporting welcoming and inclusive communities.

Workshops and Diversity Training

Four workshops and a diversity training session were conducted in March, April and May, 2009 under the Community Partnership Development project. Representatives from more than 20 organizations participated or showed interest in the initiative. These workshops produced approximately 25 project ideas which were then reduced to 3 priority projects to be conducted over the next two years.

Leaders Summit

A one day Leaders Summit took place on May 14, 2010 under the Knowledge Development and Exchange project. Titled Global by Design: The Competitive Advantage, over 80 people representing a broad spectrum of interests attended the event with assistance from Kim Walker Community and Environment and the Community Partnership Network.

Puppet Presentation

In addition to developing a web-based resource on attracting and integrating immigrants, the Public Education Resources project created an innovative puppet-based presentation. The presentation entitled: “With Open Arms” showcases the real life experiences of 10 immigrant newcomers in the Victoria region. The puppet project was developed in partnership with PUENTE Theatre.

Customized Diversity Training Workshops

The Creating Culturally Welcoming Communities and Businesses is the Demonstration Project for the Capital Region. In partnership with Volunteer Victoria, ICA has developed a series of five customized diversity training workshops. The workshop structure includes a two day course on diversity followed by a four-week online modules. Each workshop is tailored to different groups: businesses, community organizations, public education institutions, non-profit agencies and municipal governments. The first training workshop was delivered in April 2010 to the Community Agency sector. The Education and Business Sector courses were delivered in November 2010.  The final two diversity courses for the Municipal Government are scheduled for February 24-25 and will be followed by the Health Sector workshop on March 24-25, 2011.

Community Dialogue on Diversity

On March 7, 2011 the Inter-Cultural Association of Greater Victoria convened a "Community Dialogue on Diversity" from 8:30am to 3:30pm at the Ambrosia Centre. Close to 80 people attended this lively and informative day of  learning, exchange and relationship building last year and we expect even more people to attend this year.

ICA's expressed aim for this dialogue was to provide a welcoming venue that would encourage and value the views and voices of members of the community and to involve them in dialogue. Participants were from various levels of government, community service organizations, faith-based groups, local businesses, arts groups, health and immigrant serving organizations, Universities and colleges, and citizens at large.

Based on the written and anecdotal feedback, participants felt that the event was very worthwhile, well-organized and provided meaningful opportunities for sharing and exchange - all of which were greatly appreciated. There is an expressed appetite for opportunities to connect and talk through difficult issues in such a manner and the feedback suggests that participants would like further gatherings with extended timeframes to delve deeper into hearing and understanding more about the challenges faced by diverse community groups and how best to map out specific responses.

As one of the participants noted "There is a potential for building an accepting community through dialogue."