McGill on the Move with Professor Wendy Thomson (San Francisco) November 22, 2009

The McGill Alumni Associations of Northern California cordially invite graduates, family and friends to attend a special lecture and reception with

Professor Wendy Thomson
Director of the McGill School of Social Work

“There and Back Again: The Changing World of Social Policy”

In the wake of the near global economic collapse, fundamental questions are on the international agenda. National governments are back in the picture, expected to stimulate the economy while protecting individuals and families from income insecurity and homelessness. The last 30 years have witnessed a host of social innovations in many areas of social policy, a response in part to changing demographics and family relationships, views on public finance, and a redrawing of the borders between personal and public responsibility. With dwindling resources, what investment choices should governments make? How can we design social policies that provide more choice and personalized services within universal programs? What do research and experience show to be best practices to ensure better outcomes?

About Dr Wendy Thomson, CBE

After a distinguished career in public services in the UK, Dr Thomson joined McGill University as Professor of Social Policy and Director of the School of Social Work in 2005. Currently, Thomson teaches social policy and management and is associated with the Centre on Research on Children and Families, the Institute on International Development Studies, and the McGill World Platform’s program on Social Determinants of Health. She advises governments on health and social services in Canada, Africa, Europe and the Middle East, and serves as Director on several Boards including, the “Agence de Santé et Service Sociaux de Montréal”, the McGill University Health Centre and Pinnacle PSG UK. Amongst her research grants are studies examining social exclusion in Nunavik, and Evidence-based Management of Child Welfare (both from the SSHRC), access to professional education at McGill for Aboriginal people, and minority language community access to health services in Quebec (both funded by Health Canada).

Formerly, she was British Prime Minister Tony Blair’s Chief Adviser on Public Service Reform, and led the Office of Public Service Reform in the Cabinet Office. From 1999 to 2001, she set up the first inspection service of local government in England and Wales, as Director of Inspection at the Audit Commission. Until 1999, she was Chief Executive of the London Borough of Newham when the Council delivered major regeneration projects and improved its service performance, gaining recognition as Council of the Year. Before joining Newham, Wendy was Chief Executive of the national mental health charity Turning Point working with the Princess of Wales as its patron.

Official Website: https://www.alumni.mcgill.ca/aoc/events-travel/EventDetails.php?id=NDQxOA