Diplomatica
It’s time for cross-border recalibration
The joint action plan on perimeter security and economic competitiveness announced with much fanfare by Prime Minister Stephen Harper and President Barack Obama in February was a refreshing step in the right direction. The concept is compelling in principle. The question is: Will it produce yet another spasm of communiqué massage offering the promise of […]
Costa Rica: Canada’s primary partner in Central America
Strategically located in Central America, Costa Rica offers investment opportunities for companies interested in broadening their horizons and settling themselves in a country that — with its strong democratic institutions and its efforts to achieve sustainable inclusive growth — represents a success story and a valued partner and friend for Canada. Costa Rica shifted its […]
Serbia and Canada: new reasons for optimism
Bilateral relations between Serbia and Canada are almost a century old. The first consulate general opened in Montreal in 1922, and the Ottawa legation in 1941; it became an embassy 10 years later. Relations had their ups and downs with periods of mutual understanding and dynamic development followed by periods of stagnation and visible tensions. […]
Brazil offers Canada a partnership beyond economics
Strengthening the economic ties between Brazil and Canada stands out among the objectives of every Brazilian ambassador in Ottawa. Trade flows and investments have traditionally sustained bilateral relations. But recent figures show that much more can be achieved. In 2010, trade was still limited, especially when seen in the context of both countries’ commercial transactions […]
Investment opportunities abound in Azerbaijan
In a recent article about Azerbaijan’s capital, Baku, New York Times travel writer Kathleen Kingsbury lauds its “magnificent European-style Beaux-Arts mansions, built by the city’s first oil barons a century ago,” which, she says, sit next to the newly-constructed “Guggenheim Bilbao-style Museum of Modern Art” and dozens of new hotels, futuristic malls and arcades. This […]
U.S. Ambassador David Jacobson lends a hand
He wore an old black turtleneck, jeans, black knee guards and sneakers. It was a far cry from his usual suit-and-tie work attire but, for U.S. Ambassador David Jacobson, it was a more sensible outfit for the job at hand — to help retrofit a Habitat for Humanity home for an Ottawa family in need. […]
The world’s newest country needs help
The world’s newest nation, South Sudan, was born on July 9 to become the world’s 193rd country after its people nearly unanimously chose independence from the war-torn nation of Sudan. South Sudan’s population, mostly black, Christian and indigenous tribes people, has been at war — largely regarded as genocidal — with the mostly Muslim north […]
How a 50-cent donation has helped 10,000 children and built 26 classrooms in Nicaragua
It’s spring and the road to Monte Olivo in northwest Nicaragua is washed away with heavy rains. According to our director of operations, we cannot get through, even with 4X4s, to reach the construction site. Three members of the SchoolBOX construction team, stationed at the site, continue to advance with the four-classroom school building project. […]
Gaining influence: Military role puts Canada back on the map
Richard Cohen was born in Montreal and attended the Royal Military College in Kingston before enlisting in the Canadian army. Seven years later, he left Canada to join the British army where he felt he’d find more action and where he did find more action — enough to keep him there for 21 years, including […]
Six essential steps: How John Baird can succeed as Canada’s foreign minister
John Baird hit the ground running as Canada’s new foreign minister. Within days of his appointment late last spring, he was off on a secret mission to Libya to meet with key rebel leaders of its Transitional National Council. That trip was immediately followed by meetings in Turkey, China, Indonesia, the U.S. and Mexico. […]
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