The Knowledge Economy is Here, Are We Ready?

How do we shape work and talent in Atlantic Canada for the coming challenges?

A discussion among knowledge workers, employers, governments and educators

Saint Mary’s University

7:30 to 10:30 am, October 29, 2010

he old industrial economy focused on attracting employers to our region.  But a post industrial “knowledge economy” is presenting new challenges. The focus has shifted from firms to individual workers.  Now we must concentrate on their opportunities - their training, their skills, their drive and initiative.  But we must also address the obstacles and pitfalls they face – precarious employment, self-employment, access to capital, building networks and maintaining control of their intellectual property.

These challenges affect all stakeholders – workers and their organizations, employers and their organizations, governments and educators.  This workshop will be a chance to hear from some major thinkers on these issues and to discuss the issues with others in the knowledge economy.

•      Katherine V. Stone: Professor of Law, University of California Los Angeles, author of From Widgets to Digits: Employment Regulation for the Changing Workplace and the forthcoming Globalization and Flexibilization: The Remaking of the Employment Relationship in the 21st Century.  “How Do We Regulate Work in the Knowledge Economy?”
•        Peter Bruce: Deputy Chief Information Officer, Government of Canada.  “What Should Governments Do For Knowledge Workers?”
•        Eamon Hoey: Over 30 years of experience consulting to the telecommunications industry on strategic, marketing and regulatory issues.  “Are We Ready for Knowledge Workers?”
•        Peter Murdoch: Vice-President, Media, with the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union “Do Self-Employed Knowledge Workers Need and Want a Collective Voice?”

9:30 am – “World Café”-style roundtables (small group discussions) on topics like: