Conference Panel | Cultural Security under Pressure: Platforms, Policy, and Power

The Couchiching Conference, co-hosted by the Canadian International Council (CIC) and the Aga Khan Museum, is a high-level strategic dialogue bringing together policymakers, thought leaders, and experts to provide insights into how to navigate Canada’s role in an era of global upheaval. From shifting alliances and economic security to artificial intelligence, Arctic sovereignty, and foreign interference, this conference tackles the defining challenges of our time. Held at the iconic Aga Khan Museum, it will be a catalyst for bold ideas and actionable solutions, shaping Canada’s security and future in an unpredictable world.

Panel 5 | Cultural Security under Pressure: Platforms, Policy, and Power

In an era where digital platforms and algorithms shape what we see, hear, and believe, cultural security has become a frontline issue. This session explores how foreign interference, mis/disinformation, and the dynamics of platforms are reshaping Canada’s cultural landscape. From discussing cultural sovereignty to the question of where “Canadian” cultural policy is truly made, panelists will examine the evolving meaning of cultural security. What does it mean to navigate Canadian identity and culture in a globalized, digitized world—and how can democracy thrive amid these shifting currents?

Moderator: Dr. Sascha Priewe, Director of Collections & Public Programs, Aga Khan Museum

Speakers:

• Vass Bednar, Managing Director, Canadian SHIELD Institute
• Kyle Matthews, Executive Director, Montreal Institute for Global Security
• Sarah Bay-Cheng, Professor of Emerging Technologies and Theatre and the Helen and Paul Phelan Chair in Drama at the University of Toronto
• Narendra Pachkhédé, Commonwealth Fellow, Centre for Inquiry into the Social, Geneva-London