bout de papier, Vol. 32, No. 2 (2022), p. 2
FIRST OF ALL, my deepest appreciation and warm thanks for the many kind and encouraging words sent my way after the publication of the last issue of bout de papier. They gave me a sense of what readers would like to see in future issues and some even volunteered to write for bout, which was particularly welcome.
In this issue I have tried to strike a balance between features of historic — and sporting — interest and pieces about the modern foreign service. The latter is particularly timely given the study being undertaken by the Standing Committee of the Senate on Foreign Affairs and International Trade and the internal review announced by Minister Joly and Deputy Minister Morgan in June. I am sure that not everyone will agree with everything in the articles in this issue but they are thoughtful and well written pieces by colleagues, current and former, who care, not only about the Canadian Foreign Service but about the work it carries out, both at home and abroad. And given the complex —and quite frankly often depressing — world in which we are living with crises ranging from the war in Ukraine, the political uncertainty to the south of us, economic instability and fragility, as well as the increasingly obvious impacts of climate change, a discussion engaging the considered views of those with real-life experience and extensive knowledge acquired over years of study and practice is of importance in and of itself. It may also contribute to the work being undertaken elsewhere, including the two aforementioned reviews.
So more articles will be welcome as there is a third issue to come in the fall. Comments and suggestions sent to myself at [email protected] are also most welcome. The print edition of the magazine is now being delivered to PAFSO members across Canada and around the world and also to the Privy Council Office, the offices of the deputy and assistant deputy ministers with international responsibilities and the National Press Gallery. So we are trying to grow the readership and that will continue to be a priority.
Another consideration is to ensure that the magazine reflects the full scope of the Foreign Service. I am writing this piece from Nova Scotia, a province I had visited for work purposes but never for pleasure. My partner and I spent several hours visiting the Canadian Immigration Museum at Pier 21 in Halifax. Although my own parents were immigrants and like most of us I have friends, colleagues, and acquaintances of a vast range of backgrounds the Museum really pulls it all together into a coherent narrative, including those parts of our history of which we cannot be proud. And it covers Canada’s history with respect to the treatment of refugees, a theme of Zal Karkaria’s contribution to this issue.
Ken Neufeld’s feature on his adventures delivering international assistance in Tanzania is a wonderful example of our approach to the delivery of development projects and programmes in an earlier pre-Internet pre-cell-phone age.
The excerpt from Gary Smith’s book, Ice War Diplomat, a product of several years of research and his own experience as a junior officer in the Canadian Embassy in Moscow in the early 1970s, is sure to bring back memories for those of you who were around at the time and watched the famous final game and Paul Henderson’s goal. Gary’s book is being made into a 100-minute documentary film which will be premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival this September just before the 50th anniversary of the most famous goal in a hockey game ever. While fun to read — and the film will undoubtedly be fun to watch — the excerpt published in this issue of bout de papier is also a timely reminder that many countries have, over the years, used cultural and/or sports diplomacy to further the achievement of their international objectives. Our own performance in this respect has been inconsistent as I know from my own experience but again, an informed discussion of the merits or lack thereof could factor into the work of the Senate Committee and the department’s internal study.
Finally, I am very pleased to be able to announce that the Board of the Canadian Ambassadors Alumni Association (AmbCanada) has agreed to reinstate its annual prize of $500 for the best article in bout de papier, which was traditionally announced at the PAFSO annual awards dinner. More information will be forthcoming in the next issue.
In the meantime, happy reading!
Originally published in bout de papier, Vol. 32, No. 2 (2022), p. 2. Read the rest of this issue →
