Bridging in Diversity: Promise of Home’s Policy Conference
Promise of Home will hold a conference on November 21–22, 2025, bringing together policymakers and community members to discuss the gaps between policies and the lived experiences of immigrants in Fredericton.
Agenda
Friday, November 21
Location: Edmund Casey Hall, Ted Daigle Auditorium
11:00 AM–12:00 PM:
Guest Registration + Coffee & refreshments
12:00–12:15 PM:
Territorial Acknowledgement, Welcome & Housekeeping
12:15–12:30 PM:
Indigenous Welcome
Judie Acquin, Wolastoqey artist, educator, and social activist
12:30–01:15 PM:
Welcoming addresses
Dr. Nauman Farooqi, STU President
Dr. Manju Varma (CRRF)
Mike Murray, Assistant Deputy Minister (PETL)
Gwen McIntyre, Community Inclusion (City of Fredericton)
01:15–01:45 PM:
Project Update & Policy Document Presentation
01:45–02:00 PM:
Coffee & Refreshments
02:00–03:45 PM:
Health & Public Services Panel and Q&A (to be recorded)
David Coon, MLA, Green Party
Dr. Erin Fredericks, Regional Manager, Horizon Health
Dr. Jennifer Russell, Executive Director, Institute of Population Health UNB
03:45–04:00 PM:
Coffee & Refreshments
04:00–05:30 PM:
Plenary Address “Home or Residence: Narratives That Tell The Difference” (to be recorded)
Dr. Manju Varma, former Commissioner of Systemic Racism, co-owner of Engaging Matters Diversity Consultants, Co-Chair CRRF
05:30–07:00 PM – Reception foyer outside Ted Daigle
Saturday, November 22
Location: Brian Mulroney Hall, Room 101
08:15–09:00 AM:
Guest Registration + Coffee and refreshments
09:00–09:15 AM:
Territorial Acknowledgement, Welcome & Housekeeping
09:15–11:00 AM:
Community Integration & Education Panel + Q&A (to be recorded)
Henrietta Obajemu, Community Advocate, Black Moms NB
Joanne Owuor, Racial Justice Advocate, Uzima Network
Shelley Poitras, Instructor Coordinator, United for Literacy
Dorcas Tshimenga, Coordinator, Equity Stream Project, NBMC
11:00 – 11:15:
Coffee & refreshments
11:15–1:00 PM:
Immigration & Racialized Experiences Panel + Q&A (to be recorded)
Mohamed Bagha, Managing Director, Saint John Newcomers Centre
Dr. Leyla Sall, Professor, Department of Sociology, Université de Moncton
Estefania Martinez, Research Analyst, Department of PETL at GNB
Phylomène Zangio, Member, NB Judicial Council and Former Chair, NBHRC
01:00–02:00 PM:
Lunch
02:00-03:30 PM:
Workshops (to be recorded)
03:30-04:00 PM:
Report back (to be recorded)
04:00-04:15 PM:
Closing remarks