Carleton graduate students said Canada’s current foreign policies have been distant and secretive in recent years at a discussion with Liberal MPs Dec. 5 at the House of Commons.
Six students from Carleton’s Norman Paterson School of International Affairs (NPSIA) met with Liberal MPs for “Foreign Policy for the Future Generation.” This was the first in a series of consultations planned by the federal Liberal party to bring together the best and brightest graduate students from universities across Canada.
“Canada needs an attitude change, to act more collaboratively and less confrontationally,” said John Cadham, a doctoral student at NPSIA.
The selected students each presented their recommendations for future Canadian foreign policy to the Liberal caucus.
Students and Liberal MPs alike expressed dissatisfaction with what they view as the damage the Conservative government has done to Canada’s reputation on the world stage. They said the formerly well-balanced and Canadian-centred foreign policy has become one-sided and obstinate.
“[Canada’s] reputation has been tarnished, especially in the eyes of developing countries, and also with Canada’s recent discard of the Kyoto Protocol,” said doctoral student Peter Loveridge.
The graduate students were greeted by interim Liberal leader Bob Rae, accompanied by Liberal critics for defence, international development, trade, and foreign affairs.
Liberal Senators Joseph Day and Romeo Dallaire were also present. Dallaire served as commander for the United Nations Assistance Mission for Rwanda from 1993 to 1994.
“We are withdrawing from the world stage, and we are doing so in a way that is unhelpful to
everyone,” Dallaire said.
In 2010, Canada lost its temporary seat on the United Nations Security Council for the first time in almost 60 years.
Liberal MPs said countries around the world are losing faith in Canada as a result of Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s pro-Israel stance and its move away from peacekeeping to a more combative role in Afghanistan.
Canada’s post-2011 role in Afghanistan will focus on security, diplomacy, human rights and development, according to the Government of Canada website.
The importance of increased attention to Africa was also noted by student Aleksandra Pisarek.
“We must see Africa as a missing link in Canada’s foreign policy approach and a real opportunity for Canada to lead in the world by example,” Pisarek said.
Students and Liberal MPs also discussed humanitarian intervention and appropriate use of force, nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament policies, pursuing a more stable international financial system, and free trade.
“Like [the graduates], we recognize that foreign policy is a fundamental, unavoidable part of government’s responsibility and that it must represent the interests and aspirations of all Canadians,” Rae said on the Liberal party website following the consultation.