Where in the World is Canada?

Amidst breaking news of convulsions shaking Egypt, Turkey and Brazil, the election of a moderate president in Iran, the despatch of a UN “intervention force” to the DRC, and revelations of massive cyber-surveillance, Canadians are understandably distracted.  Few seem to be paying much attention to an issue of longer-term, yet potentially much larger domestic consequence – this country’s changing place in the world.

When it comes to foreign perceptions of Canada, a fundamental shift has occurred.

This country and its people, although certainly not reviled, are no longer accorded the admiration and esteem which until recently was the norm.

The red maple leaf, once a widely recognized and even revered as symbol of Canadian internationalism, does not evoke the enthusiastic response which once made it the envy of backpackers everywhere.

The magic is gone.

Read more…

Canada: The view from afar

Editor’s note

Over the past six months I have had occasion to spend much of my time working and travelling overseas. I spent the first few months of the year teaching a course on science, technology, diplomacy and international policy at Otago University in Dunedin, New Zealand, and last month I participated in several conferences  in Europe.

Although these activities have resulted in fewer postings to the GD blog, being abroad has proven useful in terms of gathering insights not so easily gleaned from home.

What did I learn about changing international perceptions of Canada?

Stay tuned for a special Canada Day posting…