CIC in and making news / Le CIC fait l’actualité
View the latest news, interviews and presentations with CIC staff and experts plus the latest from our branch events…
Voir les dernières nouvelles, interviews et présentations du personnel et des experts du CIC ainsi que des informations sur les événements organisés par nos sections…
The Convenors: Introducing Mark Williams, President of the CIC Vancouver Island Branch
Zoe Dugal took over as President of the CIC National Capital Branch in autumn 2025. She is Deputy Director of CANADEM, the Ottawa-based international NGO that rosters and deploys experts to international operations with the United Nations, other international organisations, and governments.
The Convenors: Introducing Zoe Dugal, President of the CIC National Capital Branch
Zoe Dugal took over as President of the CIC National Capital Branch in autumn 2025. She is Deputy Director of CANADEM, the Ottawa-based international NGO that rosters and deploys experts to international operations with the United Nations, other international organisations, and governments.
There Is Still Time To Reevaluate the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project (CPSP)
By Shahryar Pasandideh On July 22, 2026, CIC's Executive Director, Melanie Walker, will host Shahryar Pasandideh for a timely discussion on Canada's Patrol Submarine Project and whether the country's planned investment aligns with today's evolving strategic threat...
Reflections on Governing AI in Canada: Digital Sovereignty, Democratic Resilience and the Next Generation
By Alexander Martin, CIC Junior Fellow Canada is at a crossroads. As artificial intelligence becomes increasingly central to economic growth, national security and public life, the Carney government has made digital sovereignty a defining priority. Through the launch...
The Convenors: Introducing Mustafa Aryan, Toronto Branch President
The Conveners: A new series profiling the volunteer leaders who make CIC's national community what it is Since taking over as branch president in January 2026, Mustafa Aryan has run a Toronto calendar that draws institutions as well as audiences. He co-hosted...
80 Years of International Journal: In Conversation with Margaret MacMillan
Few historians have shaped how we understand global affairs quite like Margaret MacMillan. In a conversation marking the 80th anniversary of International Journal, Prof. MacMillan joined Melanie Walker, Executive Director of the Canadian International Council (CIC)...
Same Direction, Stronger Signal: What Globally Engaged Canadians Want From Canadian Foreign Policy
A CIC survey of globally engaged Canadians finds strong consensus on diversification, defence, and resilience - and national polling now confirms the trend. In January 2026, the Canadian International Council surveyed 736 globally engaged Canadians - CIC members and...
Canada’s place in a fractured world: A conversation with Asa McKercher
For 80 years, International Journal has been Canada's flagship forum for foreign policy analysis. Co-editor Asa McKercher reflects on its origins, Canada's current moment, and what success looks like at 90. The International Journal turns 80 this year, at what may be...
Welcoming Three Outstanding Leaders to the CIC Board
We are delighted to welcome Joshua Goodfield, John Hinds, and Jennifer M. Welsh to the Canadian International Council’s Board of Directors. Together, they bring an exceptional mix of global perspective, institutional leadership, and policy expertise at a time when...
Canada at a Crossroads: What Canadians Really Want from Foreign Policy in 2026
(le français suit) Canada’s role in the world is shifting, as are Canadians’ expectations. A new public opinion report from the Canadian International Council (CIC) and GlobeScan reveals how Canadians are rethinking foreign policy in a fast-changing geopolitical...
Award Nominations Live for 2025!
In preparation for this October’s annual Bill Graham gala dinner, the CIC’s National Board are pleased to announced that it has opened nominations for this year’s: 1. “Friend of the CIC” award and 2. “CIC Volunteer of the Year” award. Both awards will be presented at...
Coming Soon: Chrétien and the World Book Launch at the Couchiching Conference
We’re pleased to announce that the upcoming Couchiching Conference will host the official launch of Chrétien and the World: Canadian Foreign Policy from 1993 to 2003, a new title from UBC Press edited by Jack Cunningham and John Meehan. The launch will take place...
VIDEO: 2nd Annual Bill Graham Dinner 2024
The recent Bill Graham Lecture, hosted by the Canadian International Council, featured a remarkable dialogue between former Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chrétien and former Mexican President Ernesto Zedillo. These two renowned leaders discussed critical issues shaping...
Annual Couchiching Conference: CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS
Dear CIC YPN Members, We are excited to announce a unique opportunity for young professionals passionate about Canadian foreign policy. The CIC Young Professionals Network (YPN) is hosting a competition to showcase outstanding research and ideas in this field....
Dan Sutherland Receives ‘Friend of the CIC’ Award
Le texte en français suit celui en anglais The Board of Directors of the CIC is pleased to announce that the inaugural winner of the annual “Friend of the CIC” award is Dan Sutherland. This important award acknowledges the extraordinary contribution of a supporter,...
Democracy and Diplomacy: Canada-Germany Collaboration for EU Stability
On June 4, 2024 in Toronto, Canada the Canadian International Council (CIC) and the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung Foundation (KAS) partnered on a panel discussion on democracy and diplomacy in Canada and Germany. We were honoured to welcome speakers Peter Hefele, John...
Towards a Reinvigorated Latin American Foreign Policy
On November 9, 2023 Robert Ready, Chair of the Latin America and Caribbean Study Group of the CIC National Capital Branch (Ottawa), moderated a discussion between Latin American Ambassadors, Canadian Parliamentarians and Global Affairs Canada officials. Hosted by...
Navigating the Paradox: Élisabeth Vallet’s Insights on the Proliferation of Border Walls in an Increasingly Borderless World
Crédits photo : Élisabeth Vallet, 2019, El Paso – Texas.
Globe and Mail story about Sarpoza prison in Kandahar
Former Representative of Canada in Kandahar Ben Rowswell reflects on the sorry state of Sarpoza prison, once a focal point of Canada’s reconstruction efforts in that province.
The Evan Solomon Show about the argument between Xi Jinping and Justin Trudeau
Ben Rowswell discusses what is at stake in the confrontation between Xi Jinping and Justin Trudeau at the G20 Summit in Indonesia, November 17, 2022
Andy Knight on democracy around the world
International Journal co-editor Andy Knight on CBC Halifax Mainstreet, discussing democracy abroad and here in Canada
Canada risks splitting from allies by not encouraging expertise in its foreign service, new report finds
With allies and competitors focusing on adding expertise in their foreign ministries, Canada risks being an ‘outlier,’ a new report suggests.
Germany and Canada can work together to reinforce democratic values
The visit of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz this week is one the most important diplomatic opportunities for a Canadian prime minister in years. Amid disruption to global norms as well as growing challenges to democracy, Canada and Germany have increasingly bonded in shared commitment to protecting and reinforcing both the rules-based order on which international security depends and on human rights.
Bill Graham, a political rarity, was a beacon of civility in federal government
Bill Graham was old school. The former Liberal cabinet minister loved politics, loved the Toronto riding he represented through five elections, loved being out and about in the world, loved gossip and good stories, which he could tell better than just about anyone.
‘Diplomacy is all about being there’: former diplomats call for reassessment of foreign service global presence during GAC review
‘We need human beings in these other countries, in these war zones, to give a genuinely Canadian perspective that’s not filtered through the internet,’ says former diplomat Ben Rowswell.
CJAD Radio interviews Ben Rowswell about the new Open Canada Podcast
CJAD radio in Montreal interviewed Ben Rowswell about the new Open Canada Podcast and the agenda for global democracy, January 24, 2022
Digital Health, Public Policy, and Covid-19
Digital Health, Public Policy, and Covid-19: By: Tasneem Mewa In December 2021, Canadian International Council, Toronto Branch hosted a series of virtual fireside chat panels with key voices in Canadian health public policy to discuss the role, challenges, and...
Un article co-écrit par Ben Rowswell paru dans La Presse
Élections fédérales 2021 Les Canadiens demandent une politique étrangère pour un monde sans leader PHOTO SAEED ALI ACHAKZAI, REUTERS Familles ayant fui l’Afghanistan, dans un camp de fortune établi près d’une gare de train à Chaman, au Pakistan. « Au fil des ans,...
Canadian Politicians discuss Foreign Policy by Canadians on: CBC’s Power & Politics
The CIC shared the results of the ambitious Foreign Policy by Canadians deliberative democracy exercise in time for Canada Day 2021. It got noticed. In this clip, politicians Liisa Rait and Anne McLellan discuss the revelations about how Canadians' see major issues...
Ben Rowswell on The National: Going Toe to Toe with China
On September 23, 2021, CIC President Ben Rowswell joined Ian Hanomansing on The National to discuss the diplomatic levers used in the negotiations that led to the release of Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig following 1020 days of imprisonment in China.