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Press freedom worldwide has seen some significant declines in the past year. While there were some good news stories — take a bow, Scandinavia — two thirds of those examined slipped in their rankings from the previous year. Criteria for the rankings include media pluralism, respect for journalists and positive environments within which they operate. […]
Drastic decline
The Reporters Without Borders World Press Freedom Index ranks the performance of 180 countries according to a range of criteria that include media pluralism and independence, respect for the safety and freedom of journalists, and the legislative, institutional and infrastructural environment in which the media operate. Top of the list, as so often, are three […]
Colombia has a plan: How we negotiate with FARC
After many years of bad publicity, the news from Colombia in the international media is being framed in a much more positive light. At a time during which uncertainty and international crises abound, Colombia is, uncharacteristically, attracting good reviews. A strong economy, along with a dramatic reduction in the violence and insecurity that were present […]
Spouses band together to raise money for autism
When Florence Saint-Leger, president of the Heads of Mission Spouses’ Association’s (HOMSA), kicked off the group’s annual fundraising event, she imparted some conventional wisdom: “It is more fun to give than to receive,” Ms Saint-Leger, wife of the Haitian ambassador, told the group. The event, hosted by Eleanore Wnendt-Juber, wife of the German ambassador, was […]
Foreign Affairs Committee chair: You ask, ‘How can we help?’
Dean Allison is the first MP for the riding of Niagara West-Glanbrook, which was created in 2004. He was re-elected in 2006, 2008 and 2011 and is now chairman of the standing committee on foreign affairs and international development. In response to Canada’s sanctions against Russia, he has been sanctioned for travel to Russia, a […]
New Arrivals – Winter 2015
Pg Hj Kamal Bashah bin Pg Hj Ahmad High Commissioner for Brunei Darussalam Col. (Ret’d) Ahmad had a long military career before taking two positions in the corporate world and then turning his skills to diplomacy with this appointment. He has a degree in mechanical engineering and began his career with military and academic training […]
Turkey stands steadfast against terrorism
Turkey is at the centre of rapid changes and transformations unfolding in the Middle East and Eurasia basin. Unprecedented rapid developments along our southeastern and northern borders have resulted in far-reaching consequences for international peace, security and stability. And they all affect Turkey directly. Turkey does not only bear a huge humanitarian burden for people of the region who have suffered from the crises, it […]
The gift of music with a voice ‘from above’
Call her the Renée Fleming of Korea. Soprano Sumi Jo has performed at Carnegie Hall, La Scala, the Royal Opera House and the Metropolitan Opera House. She has a Grammy award for best opera recording and she’s won opera’s biggest awards, including the International Puccini Award and La Siola d’Oro. If that’s not enough, she […]
Furio de Angelis: UNHCR’s man in Ottawa
Furio de Angelis is the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees’ representative in Ottawa. His job here is to raise awareness of his organisation’s mandate and role in the world, and inform Canadians about the plight of refugees worldwide. There were 51 million displaced people in 2013, a record number since the end of the […]
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