Just some of the highlights of Mr. Shugart’s keynote address at the Year Ahead Conference: An International Security, Intelligence and Defence Outlook for 2017 held at the War Museum on 8 December 2016.
The global context of international affairs is unpredictable. This is highlighted by recent and dramatic changes in the world including: Brexit, surprises in elections and referendums, Russian aggression and pandemics to name a few. Given this, policy makers and academics alike must take note of events (they are not just news) and ask ‘why’ these events occurred.
Positive events have also occurred including:
- the Paris Agreement on climate action;
- the signed EU-Canada Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement;
- the Colombia Peace deal; and
- 35,000+ Syrian refugees successfully resettled in Canada.
Canada’s response to events must be multifaceted. Inclusive growth is important as is continued support for the principle of diversity. Developing resilience is important as is the need to think “holistically” about an issue. Diplomacy will be needed as well as alliances in resolving future conflicts.