Pearson Government: 50 Years On

2013/04/20 Dr. Tina J. Park Leave a comment

Lester Pearson became Prime Minister fifty years ago this April, at the head of one of the most memorable governments in Canadian history. Some of the programs and institutions introduced by the Pearson government, such as Medicare and the CPP, largely define the Canada we know. At the same time, many of the issues that dominated the politics of the day, including the future of the welfare state and Canada’s role in the world, are very much alive.

This one-day conference hosted by the Bill Graham Centre for Contemporary International History marked the fiftieth anniversary of the Pearson government, and placing its legacy in historical perspective. Former Cabinet members, diplomats, historians and students came together to exchange perspectives on the Pearson era.

The day’s highlights included lunchtime remarks by former Prime Minister John Turner on the Pearson Cabinet, and reflections by former Prime Minister Jean Chrétien on fifty years in politics.

At Pearson Conference, April 2013 with Former Prime Minister of Canada, the Honourable John Turner

With former Prime Minister of Canada, the Honorable Jean Chrétienada,

University of Toronto Alumni Association Award

2013/04/20 Dr. Tina J. Park Leave a comment

History of the Award

The UTAA fosters community engagement amongst alumni through a variety of strategic initiatives. This award was created to honour an extraordinary alumnus/a who has set a high standard for community service. The UTAA will recognize an individual who has made a significant contribution of time and talent as a volunteer to civic and charitable causes. The outstanding contributions of this individual will be showcased at the UTAA’s Annual Celebration to promote community engagement and inspire others.

Tina Park with President David Naylor of the University of Toronto:: Award of Excellence Ceremony at Hart House, April 10, 2013

Hart House, April 10, 2013

MASSEY TALKS!

2013/04/20 Dr. Tina J. Park Leave a comment

Massey Talks is an initiative at Massey College which I helped to launch in the fall of 2010 to help foster fellowship amongst all members.

Massey Talks showcases the lives and works of some very prominent Quadranglers and Senior Fellows of Massey College. Each academic term features two Massey Talks evenings where the speakers engage in an informal discussion with the audience, primarily composed of our junior and senior fellows and any other interested members of the Massey community.

Considering that there are only limited opportunities for JFs to meet with such distinguished members of our college like yourself, our Massey Talks sessions are intended to provide a personal glimpse into the lives and experiences of our extraordinary fellows. After a brief introduction, each speaker is asked to speak for about 15 minutes about their lives — career, research or any other topic. Then the floor will open for Q&A, moderated by one of the organizers. Our main goal is to create a forum for intellectual and personal conversation in an informal environment, in line with the founding principles of Massey College.

In the past, Massey Talks hosted fascinating speakers such as President David Naylor, Nobel Laureate Dr.John Polyani, Dr. Margaret MacMillan, Mr. Charles Pachter, Mr. R.H.Thomson, the Honourable Bill Graham, Justice Patrick LeSage, the Very Rev. Honourable Lois Wilson, Dean Mayo Moran (U of T Law School), Master John Fraser, Mr. Michael Valpy, Mr. Mark Smith (KPMG), Mr. John Geiger (Globe and Mail), Dr. Lorna Marsden, Mr. David Hilton, Dr. David Goldbloom(CAMH), to name a few.

For U of T Media Relations department’s coverage, please see http://media.utoronto.ca/media-releases/event-advisories/massey-talks-featuring-top-canadians/

Canada-Korea FTA conference

2013/04/20 Dr. Tina J. Park Leave a comment

THE CKFTA & FUTURE OF CANADIAN-KOREAN STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP

Please click here for the FINAL PROGRAMME AND BIOS

On Thursday, June 11, 2015, Massey College, Munk School of Global Affairs and the Bill Graham Centre for Contemporary International History at the University of Toronto jointly hosted a full-day conference entitled, “Canada-Korea Strategic Partnership” at the Campbell Conference Facility of the Munk School of Global Affairs (1 Devonshire Place).

In light of the recent agreement of the Canada-Korea Free Trade Agreement, this conference aimed to critically examine opportunities, challenges and strategies for strengthening bilateral relationship between Canada and South Korea. It brought together high-level political leaders, civil servants, scholars and legal & business leaders for a practical discussion on the future of Canada-Korea bilateral relations.

The first keynote address was delivered by His Excellency Dae-Shik Jo, the recently appointed South Korean Ambassador to Canada, on “The Coming 50 Years: Transforming Possibility into Reality.”

There were three panel discussions at this conference, first on CKFTA, second on defence, and the final one on culture/education. Hon. Justice Michael Kirby delivered a special luncheon keynote address at the Upper Library of Massey College.

This conference was co-sponsored by the Asian Institute (Centre for the Study of Korea & Dr.David Chu Program for Asia-Pacific Studies) at the Munk School, Canadian Studies Program at University College, International Relations Program at Trinity College and the University of Toronto Korean Students Association.

Please click here >> Canada Korea Conference- June 11th key highlights for the summary of the conference by the Hon. Hugh Segal & Tina Park

Please click here for the full transcript of the conference proceedings.

VIDEOS

His Excellency Daeshik Jo’s Keynote address
Luncheon Keynote address & Q/A with the Hon. Justice Michael Kirby
Senator Yonah Martin’s video presentation (panel#2 on defence & strategic partnership)

Media Coverage by the Korea Times Daily

News Coverage by the University of Toronto Media Department

For more information, please visit http://www.ckfta.ca or contact Tina Park, conference co-chair

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Left to Right: Mr. John Roach (Department of National Defence), Prof. George Georgeopoulos (Department of Economics, U of T), Ms. Tina Park (conference co-chair), Master Hugh Segal (conference co-chair), His Excellency Dae-Shik Jo (Ambassador of the ROK to Canada), Mr. Ian Burney (DFATD), Hon. Jim Peterson, Sonny Cho (CKBC), Colonel Jang Min Choi (Korean Embassy), Tae-Hoon Lee & Sungchul Ahn (UTKSA)

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First panel on the challenges and opportunities of the CKFTA: Ian Burney, Sonny Cho, Prof. Don Brean & Prof. George Georgeopoulos

Reception at Massey College

Tina Park and Justice Michael Kirby at Massey College, June 2015

The Hon. Justice Michael Kirby’s Luncheon Keynote Address on the Human Rights situation in the DPRK at Massey College

2015 UN General Assembly on R2P

2013/04/20 Dr. Tina J. Park Leave a comment

Tina Park on behalf of CCR2P at the UN General Assembly, Sept 2015

Tina Park on behalf of CCR2P at the UN General Assembly

Tina Park delivered a statement on behalf of the Canadian Centre for the Responsibility to Protect at the UN General Assembly’s interactive dialogue on the R2P at the UN Headquarters in New York in September 2015. Below is the text of her address in English. Please click here for the statement in other languages. Please click here for the U of T media’s coverage.

——

Mr. Moderator,

Thank you for the privilege of speaking to the General Assembly.

The Canadian Centre for the Responsibility to Protect fully endorses this year’s report on implementing R2P and commends Special Adviser Dr. Jennifer Welsh for her tireless efforts. The Secretary-General’s commitment and leadership on R2P is deeply appreciated.

Mr. Moderator, the photo of Aylan Kurdi, a three-year old Syrian boy whose body appeared on the shores of Turkey last week, has underlined the seminal humanitarian challenge of our time. Our global paralysis on Syria has contributed to the death of thousands and displacement of millions. The speed, magnitude and brutality of the Syrian crisis calls for our compassion and our collective responsibility.

This year marks not only the 10th anniversary of the 2005 World Summit but also the centennial of the Armenian Genocide, the twentieth anniversary of the Srebrenica massacre, and the seventieth anniversary of the signing of the UN Charter. As we recall our pledge of “never again,” we must confront on-going challenges in the Central African Republic, South Sudan, Yemen, Iraq, and North Korea.

The Canadian Centre respectfully offers six points for the future:

First, domestic embracing of R2P by all member states is critical. Appointing the National R2P Focal Point is an important first step, but it must be accompanied by an action plan with specific policy options and long-term strategies tailored to national circumstances.

Second, a stronger partnership must be built between parliamentarians, academics, journalists, businesses, security sectors, and civil society groups across the globe, to widen and deepen public support for R2P. The Inter-Parliamentary Union Assembly’s resolution in 2013 has pledged parliamentarians to mobilize their resources for enforcing R2P at home.

Third, to make prevention a priority for R2P, more resources must be dedicated towards education, training, and investment in infrastructure. We must be proactive in using technology and social media to track and assess risks, refute hateful messages, and empower the younger generations. Addressing the root causes of mass atrocities and building national resilience will be a slow process, requiring institutional changes.

Fourth, to end the culture of impunity, member states that have yet to join the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court and the Additional Protocols to the Geneva Conventions must ratify them in a timely manner. A firm mechanism to hold perpetrators accountable will be an important deterrent against future crimes.

Fifth, mainstreaming R2P across the UN system in line with the “Human Rights Up Front” initiative will require a careful re-assessment of the UN’s protection capacity, as well as enhancing clarity and efficiency in its coordination mechanisms. Restraining the Security Council’s use of the veto power for R2P cases is an important part of this process.

Lastly, the real success of Pillar Three for R2P will depend on building deployable capacity in political, financial, technical, humanitarian and ultimately, military terms. Timely and decisive responses will require a credible pool of resources and a comprehensive strategy of engagement, especially in the face of violent extremism.

Mr. President, in our struggle against hate, indifference and mass atrocities, R2P offers a powerful paradigm to unite our efforts.

At the Canadian Centre for the R2P, we believe that each of us must step up and choose hope over cynicism to make R2P a living reality. Thank you.

Tina J. Park

Co-Founder & Executive Director

Canadian Centre for the Responsibility to Protect

(www.ccr2p.org )