Human Rights & Democracy
Lloyd Axworthy to give public lecture on Arab Spring, deliver keynote to global governance students in Waterloo
Lloyd Axworthy, president and vice-chancellor of The University of Winnipeg, will participate in two events at the CIGI Campus while in Waterloo, on May 24 and May 25, 2012. While serving as Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Axworthy became internationally known for his advancement of the human security concept, and he continues to be active in discussions on global affairs.
Syrian Election: Orwellian "Animal Farm" a la Assad
Last year, President Bashar al-Assad postponed Syria's parliamentary elections. This was an opportunity for him to take into account his proposed constitutional reforms that will allow political parties, other than his own Baath Party, to compete for votes.
Time to update the Millennium Development Goals
In an op-ed to The Toronto Star, CIGI Senior Fellow Barry Carin argues that "Canadians should pay attention and influence the coming debate" on the future of United Nations Millennium Development Goals.
Cut those shameless perks of international diplomacy
In an op-ed for The Globe and Mail, Thomas Tieku argues that "the spinoffs and savings from perks have turned well-meaning civil servants and aid disbursers into professional travellers."
A tale of two very different summits
"The outcomes could not have been more different — one a resounding success, the other a remarkable fiasco," writes CIGI Distinguished Fellow Jorge Heine in comparing the recent BRICS summit and the Summit of the Americas.
Inside the Issues Special Edition 2.26 - Iran and the West
In a special edition of Inside the Issues, host David Welch moderates a panel discussion on relations between Iran and the West. Panellists include: former U.S. ambassador Thomas Pickering and former Iranian ambassador Hossein Mousavian and Balsillie School of International Affairs Professor James Blight, who begins the dicussion by asking "Why can't we transcend our differences?"
UN approves Syria ceasefire observers
In a CBC News story, CIGI Distinguished Fellow Paul Heinbecker comments on the presence of ceasefire observers in Syria. He says the situation "could get worse before it gets better."
Deadline Day in Syria: Little Optimism for Kofi Annan's Peace Deal
So today is the deadline for the Bashar al-Assad government to respect the already watered-down UN-Arab League peace envoy Kofi Annan’s plan for a ceasefire. Instead of complying with the plan, the Syrian military killed two Syrian civilians inside Turkey in refugee camps on Sunday and killed a Lebanese cameraman on the Lebanese-Syrian border. On top of that, Assad has been on killing rampage in the northern province of Idlib, now using helicopters to kill from the skies. The outpouring of refugees continues, at the pace of thousands a day fleeing to Turkey and Jordan.
Inside the Issues 2.25 - Human Rights and Conflict Resolution
In the final episode of the second season of Inside the Issues, host David Welch talks to Conrad Grebel University College's Lowell Ebert on the conceptual links between peace and human rights law.
Imbizo – My Debate: Children’s right to education has no borders
In an op-ed to The New Age, CIGI Chair in Global Migration and Development Jonathan Crush argues that South Africa's national policy and legislative framework around school admission violates the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, the African Charter on the Rights of the Child and the Bill of Rights.
Is Happiness Just As Important As GNP? And How Do You Measure It?
CIGI Distinguished Fellow Louise Frechette speaks to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty on the link between happiness and well-being and the UN's Millennium Development Goals.
Inside the Issues 2.24 - China's Role in Global Governance
With China's emergence as a world economic superpower, its role in global governance is also seen as an area of potential growth for the Middle Kingdom. But despite the country's growing clout, Hongying Wang, visiting associate professor at the University of Waterloo, says that China is an "under-participant" in global governance, given its size and strategic importance in world politics.
Dispatch from the Middle East: Arab Spring Sentiments Alive and Well
Writing to you from the Middle East, oh what a difference a year can make.
The last time I was here was at the start of the Arab Spring in Tunisia. While I would have never predicted the domino effect in the region, you could have sensed the clear frustration of the Arab people at the time – fed up with the lack of economic opportunity, rampant corruption, and growing inequality between the affluent haves and the increasingly educated have-nots.
New CIGI interactive blogging platform offers expert commentary on global governance issues
CIGI invites foreign affairs journalists seeking expert opinions on current global governance issues and trends to visit the new CIGI Blogs interactive platform.
Violence Continues to Escalate
In an interview with CTV News Channel, CIGI Senior Fellow Bessma Momani discusses the Syrian crisis and what needs to be done to help the country.
Crisis in Syria
In a CBC Power and Politics panel with Evan Solomon and Nour El-Kadri, CIGI Senior Fellow Bessma Momani comments on the situation in Syria and argues that something has to be done to alliviate the humanitarian crisis.
Tank Treads: A Blog from Inside CIGI
Welcome to Tank Treads, a blog about the inside goings-on at a think tank. As VP of Public Affairs at CIGI, I’ll share some of the corridor chat about our projects, conferences, appointments and connections with the wider world of policy making, analysis and research.
How Will Youssou N'Dour Use His Celebrity Now?
Youssou N'Dour's thwarted bid for the presidency of Senegal deserves attention in and outside Africa. By any standards N'Dour is a major hybrid musical/activist celebrity very different from the stereotypical image of the dominant "Big Man" in African politics.
Inside the Issues 2.17 - Borders, Islands and International Migration
As states seek to better protect their mainland territory from the threat of illegal migration, outlying islands are increasingly being used to create buffer zones against would-be human traffickers and refugees. Canada Research Chair in Global Migration Studies, Alison Mountz, suggests that detention centres are a populist overreaction to the actual threat posed by maritime incursions.
Diplomacy Russian Style - Ripples of the Arab Spring
In an interview with CBC Radio One's The World at Six, CIGI Senior Fellow Bessma Momani comments on Russia's diplomatic efforts with Syria.