The work of Metropolis International revolves around the subjects of integration, migration, inclusion and diversity. Founded in 1996 by the Canadian Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) and Citizenship and Immigration (CIC), the network brings together stakeholders and decision makers from the spheres of science, policy and practical application. After the expiration of that funding, Metropolis International continued to exist and to organize events all over the world. Its mission is to create an international platform for critical and constructive dialogue on a wide range of migration, integration, inclusion and diversity issues with local, national, regional and global impacts. The goal here is to identify and overcome current and future challenges in a cross-sector manner. The International Metropolis Conference that takes place on an annual basis is at the core of the network’s activities.
Metropolis International has experienced continuous growth since it was founded. The research establishments, institutions and experts involved are today spread right across North America, Europe, the Asia-Pacific region, Africa and Latin America. The principal decision-making body is the International Steering Committee (ISC), whose members come from over 40 different countries. A secretariat headquartered at Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada, shapes and holds responsibility for the network’s strategic orientation.