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News Release

April 26, 2007

U of G Hosts International Leadership Conference

Public-sector leadership in the 21st century is at the heart of an international leadership conference being hosted at the University of Guelph May 4 and 5 by the Centre for Studies in Leadership (CSL).

"Leadership is an evolving field, and the body of knowledge is growing," said Michael Cox, director of the CSL.
"This conference is an excellent opportunity to learn from established leaders and gain insight for innovation and breakthrough in the art and practice of leadership in action."

The conference will bring together leading academics, practitioners and public servant decision-makers to discuss leadership, ethics, governance, accountability and best practices for individual and organizational transformation.

It will begin with a reception and dinner at 6 p.m. Gemini Award winner David Akin, a CTV parliamentary reporter and U of G grad, will deliver the evening's keynote address and talk about the changing worlds of parliamentary leadership and the media.

The conference also features keynote speaker Maria Barrados, president of the Public Service Commission of Canada, senior members of the Canadian Defence Academy, Toronto and regional police service units, decision-makers working in key federal and provincial government agencies, U of G faculty, and students from Guelph's MA in leadership program.

The two-day forum will highlight a variety of topics for discussion and case analysis, including ethical leadership challenges in the 21st century. Other topics include ethics, accountability and culture change, managing relationships and citizenship engagement, and leadership education and knowledge transfer. Françoise Morissette, co-author of Made in Canada Leadership, will present findings of a nationwide study of the practice of leadership.

Prof. Tim Mau and retired professor Richard Phidd of Guelph's Department of Political Science will be among panellists discussing the development of leadership in Canada from Confederation to today.

In addition, University professor emeritus O.P. Dwivedi, Political Science, will present a case study based on the Air India tragedy and discuss the ethical leadership challenges it posed. A case study highlighting the military and the media is also planned.

"This conference helps generate dialogue for new perspective," said Cox. "It's a great learning opportunity for decision-makers as we strive to create a change of culture across organizations and foster communication for professional and personal growth. This should be of importance to leaders in all organizations."

The CSL was created in 2003 to cultivate and advance the study of transformational ethical leadership and its application in the 21st century.

For more information or to register for the conference, go to www.csl.uoguelph.ca or send e-mail to Carrie Herzog at cherzog@uoguelph.ca.