MEMO TO:
The Hon Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Foreign Affairs for Canada
Bob Rae, Foreign Affairs Critic for the Federal Liberal Caucus
Paul Dewar, Foreign Affairs Critic for the Federal New Democrats
RE: CANADIANS IN A MULTIPOLAR WORLD
Preparing for Copenhagen in December 2009; Vancouver/Whistler Olympics in 2010;
G-8 in Huntsville June 2010; UN Vote on Security Council Membership
For Release May 1, 2009
The Whistler Forum works to strengthen community dialogue and leadership for positive change locally and globally. Through a series of roundtable sessions with guests in November of 2008 and continuing deliberations within our Council of Advisors, the Forum has focused on advancing Canada's role in a multipolar world. This Memo highlights the result of our collective thinking to date, our understanding of the trajectory of world affairs and Canada's unique ability to influence it.
In "What in the world to pay attention to" we describe the four key factors that are driving the foreign policy agenda. In the light of these trends we highlight the key Canadian values, interests and assets we bring to the table. Based on "two core principles guiding Canadian foreign policy forward", we offer ways to engage Canadians in asserting Canada's role in a multipolar world by examining points of disconnection, plans for reconnection, and preparing for Canada's role internationally in 2009, 2010 and beyond.
It is our view that with the emergence and challenges of this multipolar world, Canada's domestic agenda and realities must align with and be the basis from which our influence in the world stems. As we move from principles of "Moral Superiority" to "Coherent Reliability", while we engage in "Effective Diplomacy" we must prepare now with Canadians across our diverse and multicultural country for global events and decisions in our immediate future.
As Canada prepares for the UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen in 2009, the Winter Olympics in Vancouver and Whistler, the G-8 Summit in Huntsville in 2010, and the upcoming vote on UN Security Council membership, the Whistler Forum will focus with partners and allies across the country on this dialogue and these deliberations shaping Canada's role in and response to the pressing challenges of the multipolar world.
