The Future of Canadian Diplomacy: Engaging Young Canadians and Civil Society

The Institute for Peace & Diplomacy (IPD) and Young Diplomats of Canada (YDC) co-hosted a panel on March 25, 2024 to shed light on the evolving landscape of Canadian diplomacy and the critical role of civil society and youth in shaping its future.

In May 2022, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mélanie Joly, and the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, David Morrison, launched the “Future of Diplomacy: Transforming Global Affairs Canada” initiative, which aims to review Global Affairs Canada’s (GAC) organizational capacity and policy framework. The outcomes of this one-year extensive consultation, analysis and prioritization were presented in June 2023. Subsequently, GAC’s Chief Transformation Officer, Antoine Chevrier, developed a full implementation plan, including milestones and performance metrics.

All of this raises the following questions: How is this GAC initiative different from previous ones, and what does it mean for the future of Canadian diplomacy? What are the most pressing drivers of change in the international environment that GAC must adjust to? How can civil society contribute to a refreshed outlook on Canadian foreign policy that is both inclusive and agile to emerging realities? Topics covered during this webinar will include the foundational goals and roadmap for Canada’s diplomatic transformation agenda, institutional and youth viewpoints to bridge the gap with policymakers, and best practices to incorporate the Canadian civil society and future generations into the foreign policy-making process.

This panel discussion promises to be an enlightening and inspiring event for all attendees, from seasoned diplomats to young leaders and members of civil society interested in the future of Canadian diplomacy. Join us to contribute to the dialogue on how Canada can best navigate the complexities of international relations in the years to come.

👥 Panelists:
• Antoine Chevrier: Chief Transformation Officer, Global Affairs Canada
• Louise Blais: Diplomat-in-Residence, Université Laval; Former Canadian Ambassador & Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN
• Christina Caouette: Chief Executive Officer, Young Diplomats of Canada
• Ann Fitz-Gerald: Director, Balsillie School of International Affairs; Senior Fellow, Institute for Peace & Diplomacy

🎙️ Moderators:
• Enya Bouchard: Chief Administrative Officer, Young Diplomats of Canada
• Eunice Oladejo: Young Fellow, Institute for Peace & Diplomacy

🔔 Follow us below:
• Website: https://peacediplomacy.org/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/Institutefo...
• Twitter:   / diplomacy_peace  
• LinkedIn:   / the-institute-for-peace-diplomacy  
• Facebook:   / peacediplomacyorg  
• Instagram:   / peacediplomacyorg  

👉 Donate: https://peacediplomacy.org/donate/