Description

The situation in the Democratic People’s Republic of North Korea (North Korea) has seen tumultuous developments in 2017, with missile tests and launches by the country, and strong reactions in the international community. As tensions rise, these fluid developments have broad geopolitical impacts in the region and around the world. Join us for a discussion with Gordon Houlden, Director of the China Institute, University of Alberta, on the context on the Korean peninsula, an update on where we are now, and the road forward.

Speaker’s biography

Gordon Houlden is the Director of the China Institute, Professor of Political Science and Adjunct Professor of the Alberta School of Business at the University of Alberta.

Professor Houlden joined the Canadian Foreign Service in 1976, serving in Ottawa and abroad. Twenty-two of his years in the Canadian Foreign Service were spent working on Chinese economic, trade and political affairs for the Government of Canada including five postings in China. He also served at Canadian Embassy in Havana and Warsaw, and at Canada National Defence College. His last assignment before joining UAlberta in 2008 was as Director General of the East Asian Bureau of the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, responsible for Greater China, Japan, the Koreas and Mongolia.

Under Professor Houlden’s leadership, the China Institute has focused on contemporary China studies, with an emphasis on Canada’s trade, investment and energy linkages with the PRC, and Asian security issues.

Registration

Registration is free via Eventbrite. A complimentary beverage will be provided for CIC Edmonton members.

Branch-based Contact Person Katie Meredith, edmonton@thecic.org