Past Event! Note: this event has already taken place.
Beyond Borders: Black History Month Perspectives from the Foreign Service
February 28, 2024 at 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM
| Location: | Online (Zoom) |
| Audience: | Alumni, Anyone, Current Students, Faculty, Prospective Students |
| Key Contact: | Ann Morneau |
| Contact Email: | annmorneau@cunet.carleton.ca |
| Contact Phone: | 6667 |
Join us at NPSIA’s Black History Month event, “Beyond Borders: Black History Month Perspectives from the Foreign Service,” as we embark on a thought-provoking journey to
illuminate the remarkable contributions of Black individuals in the field of foreign service, shedding light on their stories, achievements, and challenges.
In addition to engaging talks, the event will include interactive discussions, allowing attendees to actively participate and gain insights into the dynamic role of Black individuals in promoting inclusivity, diversity, and equality in the realm of international affairs.
Whether you have a keen interest in diplomacy, or simply a desire to celebrate the diverse narratives that form the mosaic of Black excellence, “Beyond Borders” promises to be an enlightening and empowering experience. Join us in commemorating Black History Month and fostering a deeper understanding of the pivotal role Black leaders play on the global stage.
Together, let’s celebrate the past, present, and future achievements of the Black community in the Foreign Service and beyond.
Speaker Bios
Ambassador Anderson Blanc (BA Hons, [Business Administration], University of Quebec in Montréal, 2002; MA [Business Administration], Laval University, 2015) worked in delinquency intervention before joining the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade in 2003. At Headquarters, he served as senior adviser and acting deputy director in the Haiti and Dominican Republic Division (Policy and Trade) and the Regional Offices and Intergovernmental Relations Division (Policy and Trade). More recently, he was deputy director of the Anti-racism Secretariat, which reports directly to the associate deputy minister of foreign affairs. Overseas, he has served as second secretary and trade commissioner in Thailand. Most recently, he was counsellor (commercial) and senior regional trade commissioner in Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Mali and Senegal.
Counsellor Frédérique Delaprée
Frédérique Delaprée is the Counsellor (Economic Affairs) at the Embassy of Canada to France. Prior to her current position, she worked on investment-related files and acted as lead negotiator for several of Canada’s Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreements (FIPAs) in the Investment Trade Policy division at Global Affairs Canada headquarters in Ottawa. She has also had postings abroad as First Secretary (Intellectual Property) at the Permanent Mission of Canada to the World Trade Organization in Geneva and Second Secretary (Trade Policy) at the Embassy of Canada to the United States in Washington. At Global Affairs Canada headquarters, she has worked on bilateral and regional trade policy negotiations, as well as a number of multilateral intellectual property negotiations at the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and the WTO. Before joining the Foreign Service, Frédérique worked at the Canadian Department of Industry and in a private law firm. She holds a B.A. in History from McGill University and an LL.B from Queen’s University and is a member of the Law Society of Ontario.
From 2020 to 2022, Ben Marc Diendéré worked at VIA Rail Canada as chief public affairs and communications officer. He oversaw the strategic direction, alignment and operational performance of activities related to internal and external communications, public affairs and media relations, as well as government and stakeholder relations. He also led initiatives to promote universal accessibility, sustainable development and social responsibility.
Over the course of his career, Mr. Diendéré has worked in the public and private sectors, at the Société de développement des entreprises culturelles [cultural enterprises development society] and at Partenariat International [international partnership]. Prior to joining VIA Rail Canada, he was, from 2011 to 2019, the senior vice-president of communications, public affairs and brand image at Sollio Cooperative Group (formerly La Coop fédérée [federated co‑op]). From 2005 to 2011, he was senior director of institutional relations and public and corporate affairs at Quebecor Media.
Mr. Diendéré has a graduate degree from HEC Montréal, a master’s degree in marketing management from Paris-Panthéon-Assas University’s French Press Institute and a master’s degree in the sociology of information and communication from the University of Ouagadougou.
Highly involved in his community, Mr. Diendéré has sat on the boards of directors of a dozen organizations working in a variety of sectors, such as arts and culture, economic development and diversity and inclusion. He has been chair of the Board of Directors of UNICEF Canada since 2022, of the University of Montréal’s development committee since 2021 and of the Conseil des arts de Montréal [Montréal arts council] since 2020. He has also been a member of Little Brothers since 2020, Groupe 3737 [3737 group] since 2018 and Excellence Québec [Quebec excellence] since 2016, as well as a member of the Board of Directors of the University of Montréal since 2014.