The Weekly Dispatch: April 20, 2012
This week, OpenCanada.org tackled the French, the World Bank and sex. John Hancock’s analysis of the first round of the French election and what it indicates about shifting global politics is a must-read. Also check out our Rapid Response for thoughts from Rob Prichard, Jeremy Kinsman and others on the most innovative thinkers on Canada’s place in the world. Some of the answers may surprise you.
This Week on OpenCanada
Rage Against the Machine
It’s not just the French. Across the western world, voters are deserting the centre ground of politics for fringe parties and populist movements. John Hancock explains why.
The Sex Issue
Foreign Minister John Baird has committed himself to the promotion of women’s rights abroad. But what about at home? Canada ranks 40th in the world when it comes to women in political office and that’s a problem, writes Anouk Dey.
Better Know Your World Bank Presidents
Past presidents of the World Bank came from Golman Sachs, J.P. Morgan and the Bank of America. Dr. Jim Yong Kim is a Korean-born university president. A chart showing just how different Kim is from his predecessors.
Rapid Response Question of the Week
Who is the most innovative thinker on Canada’s place in the world today?
Building Markets founder Scott Gimore says Mark Carney and Elissa Golberg. Former U of T President Rob Prichard says Michael Ignatieff. Former High Commissioner to the U.K. Jeremy Kinsman says Robert Lepage. And John McArthur, Senior Fellow with the UN Foundation, takes the opportunity to issue a wake-up call to Canadian thought leaders on foreign policy.
Weekly Readings from the World Wide Web
“Why Do They Hate Us?” by Mona Eltahawy for Foreign Policy
The revolution hasn’t begun until it shifts from the presidential palaces to the home, writes an Egyptian-American journalist sexually assaulted by Egyptian police in Foreign Policy’s much-discussed Sex Issue.
“‘Seriously, Guys!’ How (Not) to Write About Gender and Foreign Affairs” by Charli Carpenter for The Duck of Minerva
Foreign Policy’s Sex Issue claimed to take gender seriously. Yet, plastered across its cover was a nude women with black body paint suggesting a niqab. Charli Carpenter takes the old boys club of foreign policy to task.
“A Clunky Cyberstrategy” by Rebecca MacKinnon for Foreign Affairs
President Obama says that the Internet and mobile technologies should “empower citizens, not suppress them.” Yet American companies are providing the software authoritarian regimes need to monitor their citizens. Rebecca MacKinnon tackles the paradox.
“Keeping Cool on Nuclear Heat” by Gareth Evans for Project Syndicate
Mitt Romney says that Obama isn’t tough enough on American foreign policy. But Gareth Evans, former head of the International Crisis Group, thinks the President is acting just right on Iran and North Korea.
“Bureaucrats against the Holocaust” by Charles Krauthammer for The National Post
In marked contrast to Gareth Evans, Charles Krauthammer blames President Obama for lack of will.
Events
May 1
What Are the Military and Foreign Policy Lessons of Afghanistan?
A live, online conversation with Steve Saideman and Roland Paris, moderated by Philippe Lagassé, at 2pm est on Tuesday. Part of Strategic Studies Working Group series in partnership with the Canadian Defence & Foreign Affairs Institute.
May 2
Building Canada’s Asia-Pacific Gateway: Open Skies and Efficient Border
The Vancouver Branch will host Tony Gugliotta discussing how to make Vancouver International Airport (YVR) the gateway of choice between the Asia-Pacific and the Americas for both travellers and airlines.
May 2
Canada and the Changing Arctic: Sovereignty, Security and Stewardship
The Toronto Branch, with the generous support of Cisco Systems, are pleased to host a special Munk-Gordon Speaker Series Event: the official book launch of Canada and the Changing Arctic: Sovereignty, Security, and Stewardship.
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