Read on Twitter
1/9 This sounded so undiplomatic! My point re @GlobalSummitCAN conference - in the Ottawa echo chamber we convince ourselves that Canada is influential in the world. Yes we keep our head above water and on good days we are able to advance our interests. But influential? https://twitter.com/jenpeders/status/1199741527427371008
2/9 Appreciate and support the efforts of @GlobalSummitCAN, with contributions from valued colleagues & friends ( @LillyResearch), to discuss foreign policy and articulate a vision for Canada to enhance global security & prosperity and protect the future well being of Canadians.
3/9 Agree with the Vision Statement. Nothing controversial and I think the Cdn gov’t would support it. I could see these points being made by Canada’s PM or Foreign Minister. The question is why is Canada not doing it? Is it capacity? Will? Ambivalence? What is missing?
4/9 Analogy – current int'l context is like sailing on a stormy ocean. Need solid ship, clear direction, experienced crew connected with weather experts & other sailors to get advice. Most of all need seasoned captain who listens & uses instincts to avoid rogue waves.
5/9 We have good ship/crew – strong institutions & smart people. But we need leadership with clear sense of direction/vision, need to value experience of diplomats & stakeholders, & engage with & listen to experts. Need more criticism, less self-congratulatory naval gazing.
6/9 Success in global health (my field) results from coalitions of gov’ts, researchers & civil society working through differences to: find common ground & articulate principled vision, build evidence base, push for responsive & adaptable institutions, & embrace risk & innovation
7/9 We are doing some of this. But we engage in niche foreign policy initiatives & virtue signalling without much to back it up. Our ODA is low. Our military spending is low & peacekeeping leadership is solely in WPS. Our diplomacy is risk averse. Critics are shunned.
8/9 On Feminist Foreign Policy: I am a strong advocate for the rights of women & girls & furthering WPS agenda. But this is a pillar - foreign policy can't rest on a pedestal. Moreover, we need less virtue signalling & more dialogue to understand gender & how to transform norms
9/9 Last point. Not in favour of foreign policy review - likely led by Ottawa foreign policy community living in the echo chamber, and not sure what the review would reveal that we don’t know. We need to open up echo chamber & value inclusive debate, int'l experience & risk.
