About Us

The Canadian International Council (CIC) is a platform for citizens to engage in discussions on international issues. Our mission as an independent, non-partisan and charitable membership organization is to involve Canadians in defining our country’s place in the world.

“The CIC has a proud history of engaging Canadians in international affairs through its extensive national network of branches, research initiatives, conferences, publications and, more recently, internet-based information. That engagement is more important than ever in today’s highly complex and volatile international environment, one that influences Canada and the well-being of Canadians in ever increasing ways.”
– Hon. William C. Graham, Chair, CIC

About 

What makes the CIC unique is our network of 17 branches across seven provinces. This gives us a presence, in local communities, that is unparalleled in Canadian global affairs.

Thanks to this presence, Canadians from all walks of life, all ages, political opinions, and professions can discuss and learn about international affairs and contribute their views. In reflecting on the ideas and interests of a broad constituency of Canadians, the CIC demonstrates that our country’s foreign policy is not an esoteric concern of experts but benefits from direct citizen involvement.

As thousands of people join in an ongoing series of events and online discussions, the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. The result is a national conversation on our country’s role in the world.

We engage our members and the public to join the conversation through three types of activity: they can attend events, read our research and can share their opinions online.

Mission

An independent, non-partisan membership organization and think tank, the mission of the CIC  is to nurture awareness and understanding of critical international affairs challenges and to advance constructive discourse and debate on how to address them. The CIC owes no allegiance to any government or political party and does not take institutional positions on policy issues. The council provides an open forum where a diversity of viewpoints can be expressed.

  • convening events across Canada that inform and engage a wide range of actors — including government officials, business leaders, civil society representatives, academics, journalists and concerned citizens — on pressing international affairs issues;
  • maintaining a rigorous research program that produces accessible and policy-relevant material analyzing priority areas of Canadian foreign policy;
  • providing ongoing analysis and a diverse array of viewpoints on current world events and Canadian foreign policy decisions on its website, thecic.org;
  • publishing International Journal, Canada’s premier international affairs academic journal, and Behind the Headlines, one of the country’s oldest foreign policy paper series; and
  • offering learning and professional development opportunities for future Canadian foreign policy leaders.

The CIC believes that efforts to foster greater awareness and understanding of the world in Canada will amplify Canada’s voice and influence on the global stage.