On November 2, 2010, Aga Khan Foundation Canada and The Globe and Mail co-hosted a panel discussion and reception at the Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat for 100 guests from diplomatic, academic, and government and NGO circles.
AKFC CEO Khalil Shariff and Globe and Mail Publisher Philip Crawley provided the context for this timely focus on Canada’s global positioning and introduced Their Excellencies Anthony Cary, UK High Commissioner to Canada and David Jacobson, US Ambassador to Canada.
Moderator John Stackhouse, The Globe and Mail Editor-in-Chief started the conversation by explaining how this event offered an opportunity for non-Canadians to talk about Canada, and “how the world sees us, what the world expects of us, and what the world might think are the opportunities for us as a nation going forward.”
Of particular interest was the question of Canada’s role in Afghanistan post-2011. “The mission in Afghanistan is changing,” reflected Ambassador Jacobson. “[That change] is going to require an enormous amount of training, and perhaps Canada’s mission can change with the overall mission.” High Commissioner Cary agreed, noting that “Canada has a very proud and long record of engagement,” and added that “we should remain ambitious for Afghanistan.”
Further conversation reflected on border security, the recent Security Council vote, and climate change. Both panellists were outspoken when it came to the environment, with High Commissioner Cary pushing Canada, that “while you may be only 2% of the problem, you have the potential to be more than 2% of the solution.” Ambassador Jacobson reiterated that position, stressing that “we have to be the best stewards of the environment that we can be.”
Both panellists, however, noted that Canada can – and should – offer more. “You have a lot of thinking to do,” cautioned High Commissioner Cary. “I am just struck by the huge potential of this country. You have these fantastic resources, this fantastic space, you’re extremely well governed, you’ve got a young population, you’ve got your future before you and this huge confidence. All the potential is there. The 21st century really can be your century.”
