The Mark
The Norwegian reaction to last week’s terror attack says more than any expert analysis ever could.
Month: July 2011
Learning from Norway: A Measured Response to a National Tragedy
The bombing of government buildings in central Oslo, and killings at the Labour party’s summer camp on the nearby island of Utoya, have shocked Norway and the world. Carefully planned and executed with devastating effect, apparently by 32-year-old Norwegian national Anders Behring Breivik, these acts were deeply troubling, and anything but arbitrary.
One week later, what to make of it? Behind the headlines, can any kind of meaning be ascribed?
Coming Home: Reality Check
It is a pleasure to return to the exquisitely sweet softness of central Canada in mid-summer.
While the month away in New Zealand and Australia for a series of speaking engagements, conferences and meetings with government, university and NGO representatives on matters of science, technology, diplomacy and international policy, was delightful, it’s always nice to be home.
Except, except…
Time spent abroad always sharpens the comparative perspective. Returning from trips abroad over the past decade or so, I have noticed – with an increasing sense of alarm – that in comparison to most of Europe and Australasia, this country is looking kind of tired, worn down, wrung out and generally uncared for.
For some reason, on this occasion I experienced that sensation of falling behind with particular intensity. So with this post I have decided to put the analysis of international relations on hold and share some thoughts instead on what is becoming of Canada, my home and native land.
An Excellent New Zealand Adventure
The Mark
How a trip to a foreign policy conference became a hands-on lesson in good foreign relations.
In Aotearoa: Small is Beautiful
I have been back in New Zealand, the enchanted Land of the Long White Cloud, since June 16. During that surpassingly enjoyable period I have been reacquainting myself with various parts of the country – Auckland, Northland and the Coromandel peninsula, attending a conference on Science Diplomacy at Otago University’s 46th Foreign Policy School in Dunedin, condulting with colleagues at the NZ Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and speaking at various branches of the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs.
All of this has been most rich and rewarding, and some of the subject matter has even generated interest in the local press.
Before getting into any of that, however, here’s an instructive tale.