About the CUKC

Since 1971, the Canada-UK Colloquium (CUKC) has brought together leading politicians, officials, academics, businesspeople, scientists, practitioners, students and members of the media from both countries to discuss pressing public policy challenges in both countries, and to make recommendations to government. The CUKC is one of the longest-standing bilateral forums of its kind, actively supported by the Prime Ministers’ Offices and foreign ministries of both countries. 

Over the past five decades the CUKC has fostered many new relationships, partnerships, exchanges of information and other forms of cooperation (joint research, business relationships, visits and other exchanges) while also offering recommendations which have helped to shape public policy. A broad forum of this kind can help to strengthen the bilateral relationship in a richer and more sustained way than government to government relations could hope to achieve on their own.

The challenges facing Britain and Canada are becoming ever more urgent, unpredictable and complex.  The annual Colloquia offer valuable opportunities to exchange ideas and share best practice, drawing upon our common experiences, interests and values – and drawing in young people wherever possible. In the recent past, CUKC has considered issues such as global health, cybersecurity, co-operation in space, the Artificial Intelligence revolution, civil nuclear energy, ageing populations, devolution/federalism and COVID-19. 

Participation in the annual Colloquium is by invitation only.  Unusually for organisations of this kind, a colloquium Report, including conclusions and recommendations, is published and distributed in each country. Formal launches are usually held in both countries (for example in Parliament or at the relevant High Commission) – or in virtual transatlantic meetings – to discuss outcomes and to identify ways in which recommendations might be taken forward.

The Canada-UK Colloquium is professionally managed by The Park Group Inc. in Canada, and by the Canada-UK Council in the United Kingdom.

OBJECTIVES

The objectives of the Canada-UK Colloquia have evolved over the years to reflect changing policy priorities.  In addition to the Canadian and British organizing committees, the High Commissions in London and Ottawa play a part in their formulation.

The current objectives of the CUKC are to: 

  • Nurture networks between leading experts and policy-makers in the two countries;

  • Contribute to the development of timely and effective public policy in both countries;

  • Identify ways in which Canada and the United Kingdom can work together in an international context to meet their objectives in specific policy areas;

  • Organise the annual Colloquium and encourage follow-up events; and

  • Involve promising young people to ensure that the benefits of the exchanges are carried forward into the future

Canada-UK Council: Advisory Board

In the UK, CUKC colloquia is overseen by the Canada-UK Council, which is a registered Charity.  Board members include:

  • Sir Andrew Burns 

  • Tim Faithfull

  • Dr. Tony McCulloch

  • Professor Jim Norton

  • Philip Peacock

  • Margo Schwartz

  • Professor Alan Smith

  • Leslie Stephenson