Commonwealth Study Conferences

1. Commonwealth Study Conferences A Brief History

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

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

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

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

6. Strong Leadership.. • Prince Philip demonstrated a strong personal interest in the idea.. • The conference title was to be changed.. • All agreed that the conference would not deal with matters that came within the normal scope of collective bargaining.. • Community and environmental issues would play a role..

7. A Letter from Prince Philip

8. Their Last Meeting – Aboard Ship

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

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

11. 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….”

12. The End!! • The Great Experiment ended.. • There was no plan for another…

13. A New Beginning • About 1958-9 a group of Canadians decided to try to organize a second Conference • Prince Philip agreed to participate, and the organization was under way.. • Gov. Gen. Vincent Massey was Chairman, W.V.M. Ash (Shell Oil) was President and E.P. Taylor (Argus) was Hon. Treasurer • Gordon Hawkins was Executive Director

14. The Second Conference.. May 13 – June 6, 1962 • Final Report “Conference across a Continent” tells the story.. • The Conference.. • Opened in Montreal • Study Tours in Ontario, Quebec, Newfoundland and Nova Scotia • Plenary Sessions Ottawa & Toronto… • Two Trains left Toronto for Vancouver • Other Plenary sessions in Winnipeg, Saskatoon and Edmonton • Closing at UBC in Vancouver

15. A Pattern Appeared • In 1968, the third Conference took place in Australia

16. 1974 Was Next… • Initially planned for Africa.. • Then the Caribbean • Finally the UK • John Garnet – a 1956 Alumni was head of the “The Industrial Society” – which for the second time, organized the Conference • Clive Peacock was Executive Director • Betty Sharp was responsible for the program • Sir Anthony Burney was responsible for funding

17. 1974 ConferenceOpening at the Sheldonian Theatre in Oxford

18. 1974 ConferenceMeeting Lord Mountbatten

19. Back to Canada • During the Summer of 1977, Betty Sharp, on vacation in Vancouver, asked for a meeting all 16 alumni from BC • Thirteen people attended • Her message was simple – “1980 is Canada’s turn – are you on – or off??”

20. The Fifth Conference • A letter to all alumni requested ideas.. • A committee was formed.. And there were concerns… • Could the money be raised? • Would Canada still exist in 1980 • Could it be done – probably not.. • Jack Armstrong joined the committee.. • We would do it…

21. The Organization • Chaired by Doug Gardiner • Funding by Ed Bovey • At Large – Jack Armstrong • Executive Director – Lloyd Hemsworth

22. Study Group Chairs • Met in Calgary – Late 1979 • Prince Philip visited Canada at the time and spent time with the group

23. The 1980 Conference • Opened at Queens University in Kingston, then split in half • Governor General Ed Schreyer was a speaker • Eastern Study Groups stayed in Kingston • Western groups went to Calgary • The closing took place in Quebec City • The final dinner was memorable…

24. Wind-up Party • In the Fall of 1980, Bob Taylor hosted a party in Toronto for the chairs and organizers • It was agreed that a follow-up should take place – in London, provided Don Mitchell could get air travel donated for everyone!! • Don completed his task within 2 days

25. February 1981 • The group was hosted by Prince Philip at a meeting and dinner at Buckingham Palace • Mary Collins was the spokesperson… • 18 Years between Canadian Conferences was too long • A Canadian event was being considered… • Would Prince Philip be prepared to assist?? • Prince Philip suggested that we contact the Governor General, and he offered to call him

26. Summer 1981 • A meeting was held in Winnipeg to discuss the idea of contacting the Governor General • The Governor General, coincidently had similar ideas, and learned about the meeting – his office asked if he could attend • The Governor General’s Canadian Study Conference was born

27. The Governor General’s First Canadian Study Conference • Summer of 1983 • Opened in Edmonton, Closed in Ottawa • Smaller event 225 members, 15 groups • Chair – Bill Daniel (Shell) • Funding Jack Armstrong (retired – Imperial Oil) • Executive Director – Malcolm Metcalfe • Core support – 1980 Study Group Chairs • The organization has continued, grown and has spawned another event of smaller but similar structure

28. The Governor General’s First Canadian Study Conference

29. 1984 Meeting with Prince Philip • The Queen and Prince Philip visited Canada in 1984, and the Royal Yacht visited Toronto • A reception for alumni took place on the Royal Yacht

30. 1986 and 1992 • Australia and India did the 1986 Conference • Two openings – one in Australia, and one in India • Tours in India and Australia • Closing in Sydney • UK Organized the 1992 Conference • Oxford

31. 1998 – Canada Again • Huge Doubts… • Almost impossible to generate funding • Hemi Mitic and Don McKenzie refused to give up! • A modified format • Shorter • “Pay for Play” • No dedicated office – organized in record time by Ian Anderson and his company

32. 1998 Study Conference • Chair – Fred Telmer (Stelco) • Funding - Don McKenzie and Hemi Mitic • Executive Director – Ian Anderson • Opened in Mount Tremblant • HRH The Duke of Kent attended • Closed in Ottawa • HRH The Prince Philip

33. The Present… • The 2003 Conference was held in Australia & New Zealand. • The 2007 Conference was held in India and Malaysia • The Governor General’s Canadian Study Conference has occurred 7 times

34. Looking Back • Each Study Conference has re-invented itself – changing with the times… • But in looking at the roots leading to the 1956 Conference, the fundamentals have remained clearly intact