bout de papier, Vol. 29, No. 1 (2015), p. 2
Writing editorials for bout can be a challenge. As I was to learn, balancing critical honesty and constructive optimism in dealing with Foreign Service issues isn’t always easy. Things can change quickly and what was on target one day is off-base the next and then it’s back to the drawing board. Sometimes you feel like Alice…
“Can you tell me which way to go?” asks Alice ‘in Wonderland’ when she meets the Cheshire Cat with his toothy grin, high up on a bough. “That depends on where you want to go,” replies the oddly sensible cat. When it was suggested that I reflect on six years as bout’s Editor in this last editorial, I balked (“not another navel-gazing exercise!””), but quickly agreed. bout, like Alice, must decide where to go: Stick with the tried and true in a shrinking and increasingly costly print-only world, or expand our horizons and embrace “digitalization”?
Contributors to our bilingual magazine have pushed for change, not only as regards a print-only bout but also for the PAFSO website. For instance, the website does have a page for bout and the cover page is featured with a list of articles, but no content. Former PAFSO President Tim Edwards got around the problem by publishing his “Mot du Président” on his blog as soon as it appeared, and some contributors do likewise with their articles.
David Malone, distingué diplomate bien connu, a exposé le problème de façon succincte. Il a contribué des articles sur les conjoints de diplomates et le CRDI et il a pris sa « retraite » afin de devenir recteur de l’Université des Nations Unies à Tokyo et secrétaire général adjoint. Dans un récent courriel, il a écrit : « C’est à regret que j’ai cessé de contribuer à bout, mais peu d’auteurs dignes de ce nom sont désormais disposés à contribuer à une publication à faible tirage et sans empreinte numérique. La version numérique pourrait aussi aider à étoffer le site web de l’APASE.
Comme rédacteur en chef, j’ai constaté la nécessité de changement, convaincu que bout devait avoir deux objectifs pour rester vivant: atteindre et maintenir les normes d’édition les plus élevées (dans les limites du raisonnable) et suivre le rythme de l’évolution technologique animant l’industrie des périodiques. Si bout n’a pas su retenir un David Malone, que devrions-nous proposer pour recruter de nouveaux talents, en particulier chez une génération pour qui les médias sociaux sont devenus une seconde nature? Cependant, nous devons être conscients de ce que cela coûterait en ressources humaines et financières, coût que notre petite exploitation bénévole pourrait difficilement se permettre.
But perhaps best of all was a message from a reader serving in Bangladesh who suggested that in light of the Syrian refugee crisis, bout’s recent series on Canada’s
outstanding efforts to rescue Vietnamese boat people 40 years ago ought to be made available
on the PAFSO website
On the former goal, these six years have demonstrated our collective capacity to reach high standards editorially (Gar Pardy, a regular contributor of book reviews recently compared bout to Walrus magazine!). On embracing best practices, with the support of PAFSO’s President, bout briefed the Executive Committee on the challenges ahead and got a strong endorsement to get professional help in determining the feasibility and modalities of digitalization — hence the recently completed survey.
Il y a quelques semaines a peine, la « franchise » l’emportait sur l « optimisme » car on semblait avoir marqué peu de progrès concret en matière de numérisation. L’ébauche de mon éditorial empruntait la méthode dure — « S’adapter ou mourir ! ». Toutefois, au moment d’aller sous presse, j’ai senti que nous ne tournions plus dans le vide. En toute objectivité, l’ébauche d’éditorial — heureusement — était dépassée.
What had changed” Preparations for the survey had people thinking seriously about the future and our options. Our leadership is committed to securing bout’s future as best it can be. Our new Editor, Joya Donnelly, met with terrific success in persuading francophone colleagues and our newly welcomed MCO contingent who are eager to contribute to the magazine — so much so that a full line-up is already in place for the next two issues (that’s no small achievement). But perhaps best of all was a message from a reader serving in Bangladesh who suggested that in light of the Syrian refugee crisis, bout’s recent series on Canada’s outstanding efforts to rescue Vietnamese boat people 40 years ago ought to be made available on the PAFSO website. Now, it is!
Cette récente activité s’apparente peut-être davantage à un Chinook qu’au printemps, mais, qu’importe, il faut faire place aux félicitations. Il va sans dire que ce n’est qu’un début. Les défis ne manquent pas et notre direction aura assurément des décisions difficiles à prendre…
Many thanks to one and all for making the last six years so memorable and fulfilling. Special thanks to our many terrific contributors who are the heart and soul of the magazine, to the editorial board (always wise and very constructive), as well as those at PAFSO who been unstintingly helpful, notably our Managing Editor Debra Hulley, who ensured that we met the highest production values.
So, with that — carpe diem, choose well, and continued bonne lecture! 9 — Stuart Hughes
Originally published in / Publié à l’origine dans bout de papier, Vol. 29, No. 1 (2015), p. 2. Read the rest of this issue / Lire le reste de ce numéro →
