NPSIA at 60: Shaping Canadian Foreign Policy Through Scholarship and Practice
Friday, October 16, 2026 from 9:30 am to 2:30 pm
- In-Person event
- 2nd Floor Conference Rooms, Richcraft Hall, Carleton University
- 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, ON, K1S 5B6
As part of its 60th anniversary celebrations, the Norman Paterson School of International Affairs (NPSIA), in partnership with the Canadian Foreign Policy Journal (CFPJ), invites alumni, faculty, students, and members of the policy community to a day-long examination of Canada’s role in the world and NPSIA’s contribution to the study and practice of Canadian foreign policy over the past six decades.
The event will begin with a keynote address by Christopher Sands, Director of the Center for U.S.-Canada Studies at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS). Throughout the day, distinguished NPSIA alumni and faculty will participate in four thematic panels focused on Diplomacy, Development, Economy, and Security, reflecting on the evolution of Canadian foreign policy, the challenges and opportunities facing Canada today, and the role NPSIA has played in shaping generations of scholars, practitioners, and leaders in the field.
Bringing together voices from academia, government, and beyond, this special anniversary event offers an opportunity to reflect on the past, assess the present, and consider the future of Canadian foreign policy in an increasingly complex global landscape.
A catered lunch and refreshment breaks will be provided throughout the day, offering additional opportunities for networking and discussion among participants.
Tentative Agenda
| Event | Time |
|---|---|
| Keynote Address | 9:00am |
| Panel 1 – Development | 9:30am |
| Panel 2 – Economy | 10:45am |
| Panel 3 – Diplomacy | 12:30pm |
| Panel 4 – Security | 1:35pm |
Featured Panelists
Alexis Diamond – Professor, Minerva University
Priyanka Debnath – Chief Administrative Office and Chief Operating Officer, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, NPSIA Alum
Julie Delahanty – President, International Development and Research Council (IDRC), NPSIA Alum
Phil Rourke – Principal at the Centre for Trade, Policy and Law (CTPL), Carleton University
Adriana Vega – Executive Director of Fintechs Canada, NPSIA Alum
Brian Kingston – President and CEO of the Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers’ Association (CVMA)
Senator Peter Boehm – Canadian Senator and NPSIA Alum
Daniel Holton – G7/G20 Sous-Sherpa at Global Affairs Canada, NPSIA Alum
Elinor Sloan – Professor of Political Science, Carleton University, NPSIA Alum
Michael Fejes – Associate Professor, Royal Military College (RMC), NPSIA Alum
Joshua Kilberg – Adjunct Research Professor, NPSIA, Carleton University, NPSIA Alum