Building Collective Leadership for Inclusive Communities
Collective Leadership Immersion Canada
Together, we can build the collective leadership capacity needed to create more inclusive, innovative, and resilient communities — where newcomers are not only welcomed, but empowered to lead.
ABOUT US
‘‘We are a group of people from different cultural backgrounds who are interested in strengthening pluralism and social resilience in Canada, by promoting the leadership of newcomers to better address issues that affect us all – related to employment, education, health, housing, family, political participation, etc. We have created a living lab and an immersion program focused on collective leadership within community partnerships oriented towards action to structure our mission and achieve our vision.’’
Vision
We envision a future where newcomers educated in Canada are recognized as leaders, innovators, and changemakers — leading cross-sector collaborations that strengthen communities, drive social innovation, and contribute to a more inclusive society.
Mission
To strengthen collective leadership capacity across Ottawa–Gatineau and advance equitable newcomer integration through collaboration across employment, social services, civic engagement, and community systems.
CLIC PROGRAM
Program Objectives
The program is designed to:
- Elevate newcomer leadership, expertise, and lived experience
- Co-design practical initiatives, strategies, and shared metrics that address systemic barriers
- Build stronger connections across organizations and reduce fragmentation in newcomer support systems
- Mobilize knowledge and integrate promising practices into local institutions and communities
- Foster collaborative leadership approaches that generate long-term social impact
3-Day Immersion
Day 1 — Building a Shared Vision
Participants will:
- Explore the current realities and systemic challenges affecting newcomer integration
- Map local gaps and opportunities in social innovation initiatives
- Develop a shared vision for stronger, more inclusive communities
Day 2 — Designing Collective Pathways
Participants will:
- Identify opportunities for collaborative action and systems change
- Co-create initiatives led by newcomers and supported through cross-sector partnerships
- Prototype actionable solutions with shared ownership and accountability
Day 3 — From Vision to Action
Participants will:
- Develop implementation roadmaps and partnership commitments
- Establish shared metrics and developmental evaluation approaches
- Build momentum for long-term collaboration and impact
6-Month Leadership Internship
Following the immersion, participants continue their leadership journey through paid internships focused on experimentation, partnership-building, and knowledge mobilization.
Key components include:
- Paid leadership placements that support sustainable systems change
- Individual mentorship and monthly cohort learning sessions
- Ongoing reflective practice and developmental evaluation
- Documentation and sharing of research findings, insights, and emerging practices
Join the Movement
This program responds to a growing need for collaborative, cross-sector leadership that strengthens both newcomer integration and community resilience.