2008 Conference Tracks and Concurrent Sessions
The three sessions in Tracks 1 and 2 were held concurrently. Each session was repeated so as to enable delegates to attend two of the three available sessions in each of the Tracks.
Strategies for an Evolving World
Opening Keynote
17:00 – 18:00
Monday, June 2
The Honourable Brian Tobin, former Federal Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, former Minister of Industry, and former Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, delivered an opening keynote address to delegates of the 2008 NSS Conference.
One of Canada's best known political figures, Brian Tobin was instrumental in developing an innovation agenda for Canada and was one of the first Canadians to promote the idea that research and innovation are keys to long-term success for Canadian business.
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Track 1—Emerging Global Dynamics
08:45 – 10:15 and 13:30 – 15:00
Tuesday, June 3
As part of a global society, we have come to expect certain "modern" dynamics to have a wide and significant impact on the way people live, do business and govern. From advances in technology to environmental and societal factors, changes in one part of the world can have immediate and far-reaching consequences. Topics covered in this track looked at the evolving role for standardization in responding to emerging global dynamics.
1.1) Privacy in the Broadband Era
With globalization and advances in technology, the world is becoming smaller. People, business and government are able to connect more easily with others around the globe. While this has countless advantages, it also brings with it a number of challenges. From e-commerce, to identity theft, to post 9/11 surveillance, the rules are changing. While a more inter-connected society can create economic possibilities, it can also make personal information more accessible to those who would use it for illegal purposes. This session examined the role for standardization in ensuring the compatibility of technical and non-technical solutions to address privacy issues.
1.2) In Case of Emergency: Anticipating the Unknown
Natural disasters and national emergencies have tremendous global significance. Minimizing the scope of disaster and lessening the burden on all those affected requires preventative measures, risk assessment and contingency planning. From water testing to panic hardware, standards play a vital role in emergency preparedness. Using both real-world examples and hypothetical scenarios, speakers in this session discussed the components involved in anticipating the unknown.
1.3) Designing a Sustainable Future
For many communities in Canada and around the globe, the need to adopt sustainable practices has been key to their survival. In Newfoundland and Labrador, the fishing industry, which has undergone numerous transitions over the past 15 years, provides an effective case study to examine some of the strategies for securing a sustainable future. The depletion of fish stocks, the use of traditional methods and reliance on a single economic source, have forced a paradigm shift in many areas of the province. Speakers addressed how standardization contributes to the development of a self-sustaining industry, as well as provided examples of initiatives that draw-upon fisheries science, species development, and new harvesting techniques.
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Track 2—Evolving Market Strategies
10:45 – 12:15 and 15:30 – 17:00
Tuesday, June 3
Being competitive in the business community goes beyond just managing the bottom line and the marketplace requires a whole new level of strategic thinking. Those who are better equipped to shift and adapt to the changing business rules will be the next industry leaders. Standards and conformity assessment provide the tools to ensure commercial success and longevity. This track explored key areas that are helping to define the new business landscape.
2.1) World Awakening: Emerging Markets in Our Global Economy
Canada’s economic prosperity is largely dependant on markets beyond its borders. Immense strides have been made towards building a more competitive nation that fosters cross-border investments, innovation and technology partnerships. However, we need to examine what is required to access burgeoning markets in Asia and the Americas. Standardization offers the means to reduce unnecessary barriers to trade and facilitate the flow of goods and services. Panelists discussed the standards-related challenges and opportunities presented by a world awakening to new economic realities.
2.2) Social Responsibility: Good Business for All
While superior product quality and competitive pricing remain among the most critical variables in the equation for business success, a third strategic consideration is becoming increasingly important: social responsibility. Many organizations are implementing socially responsible not only because of public scrutiny but also because customers, suppliers, and other stakeholders are demanding it. The new social responsibility standard that is currently being developed by ISO (ISO 26000) breaks new ground both in terms of its content and the way it is being developed. And yet ISO 26000 is only one of many social responsibility initiatives in place. In this session, issues that will be discussed include new approaches to stakeholder participation in the development of SR standards and the importance of human and worker rights, environment, consumer protection, fair governance practices, implementation guidance and other topics to good SR. In addition, the possible application of ISO 26000 to various organizations was explored.
2.3) North American Trade Partnerships
Canada’s relationship with our continental neighbours is at the forefront of many discussions and debates. Whether from an economic or a political perspective, Canada’s interactions with the United States and Mexico have implications for governments, industry, and for society. This session addressed priority areas for North American trade discussions, including the role for standardization to help expand markets, reduce technical barriers to trade, and increase regulatory cooperation.
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Workshop—Beyond Counterfeits: Rebuilding Market Confidence in Consumer Products
08:30 – 11:45
Wednesday, June 4
Presentations: 08:30 to 10:00
An alarming increase in reports of counterfeit and inferior-quality products has caused unprecedented public outcry and fear of potentially dangerous goods on the market. Fraudulent certification marks, injuries, safety hazards, false product claims and labeling are among the many issues contributing to a growing anxiety and loss of consumer confidence. Not only do substandard products pose a health and safety issue, they also have tremendous negative economic repercussions. This workshop looked at the issue from multiple perspectives before allowing participants to break out into smaller discussion groups to expand various facets of the issue, including what should be the role for Canada’s National Standards System.
Breakout Sessions: 10:00 – 11:00
Participants were encouraged to examine the role of standardization as it relates to the issue of getting beyond counterfeits in order to rebuild market confidence in consumer products.
Each interactive session addressed a different aspect of this important topic. The workshop presenters facilitated the break-outs based on their area of expertise.
Breakout Summary and Discussion: 11:00 – 11:45
The delegates came back together to share a summary of their facilitated break-out discussions with the entire group, and delegates were able to comment on each other’s summaries.
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Plenary & Armchair—The Economics of Standardization
13:30–15:00
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Derived from a study conducted by the Conference Board of Canada on the Economic Value of Standardization, this session featured live interviews with prominent members of the business community. Each speaker provided their views on the impact that standardization has had on their business, and the role this has played in their leadership, innovation and market success. An interactive format allowed delegates to discuss the study's results with the panellists, and to comment on their own experiences.
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