Glendon Global Debates series launches with Brexit discussion

Glendon’s School of Public & International Affairs (GSPIA) will examine Canada’s role in global affairs and establish leadership in areas of global affairs through a series of events billed as the Glendon Global Debates (GGD).

The GGD dialogues aim to promote participatory dialogue between government officials (federal, provincial, municipal), academics, practitioners, media, the private sector, civil society organizations, students, the diplomatic community and UN officials in support of identifying approaches and opportunities for Canada and our partners in current global challenges.

As a bilingual and francophone institution in the heart of Toronto, Glendon is uniquely positioned to support the Government of Canada in a forward-looking assessment of the nation’s role in global affairs. The Glendon Global Debates will enhance the public debate on Canada’s role in global affairs and prepare the next generation of highly skilled public servants. As well, the events in the series will provide a forum for frank conversations about Canada’s role in the world through a series of discussions relying on youth-centred, innovative approaches to contemporary global issues.

These dialogues and related contributions will be shared with broader policy communities, including the Government of Canada, international organizations and the UN, and they will be incorporated into the future academic programming of Glendon.

The events will serve to validate the ongoing foreign policy consultations and formulate recommendations for a way forward.

The Glendon Global Debates will kick off on Oct. 13 from 6:30 to 9pm, with the event “Brexit: And Now What? What’s next for the U.K., the EU and Canada?” running at Glendon’s Centre of Excellence, Room A100.

“The GSPIA is very proud to launch the Glendon Global Debates series and, to that end, the first discussion is on Brexit,” said Annie Demirgian, director, GSPIA. “We have brought together international and internationally recognized experts to discuss and exchange views on the impact of the Brexit decision and the negotiation process, that appears like a rocky road ahead for Britain and the EU. Brexit discussions on trade and other issues will directly impact Canada as we inch closer to ratify the Canada-Europe Trade Agreement (CETA). Canadians are watching, the world is watching the negotiation process and the outcome of the Brexit discussions.”

brexitAdmission is free to this event that will delve into the referendum vote held three months ago that saw support for Britain’s exit from the EU, and what’s to come. Given the uncharted waters under the Lisbon Treaty, Article 50, there is only speculation as to when the U.K. will pull the Brexit trigger and try to disentangle a large and sophisticated economy like Britain.

Experts will touch on the following topics:

  • administrative, legal and constitutional challenges for the U.K.;
  • short-/long-term implications for U.K./EU relations; and
  • implications for Canada, for CETA and future bilateral trade agreements.

Guest speakers for this event include: Kevin McGurgan, British Consul general in Toronto and director-general for UK Trade & Investment in Toronto; Mel Cappe, Canada’s former ambassador to the U.K. and former clerk of the Privy Council; Glen Hodgson, senior fellow, Conference Board of Canada; and Armine Yalnizyan, senior economist, Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives.

The event will be moderated by Miloud Chennoufi, chair of the Department of Security & International Affairs, Canadian Forces College (Toronto), and BMO visiting fellow, GSPIA.

The event is presented in partnership with the Canadian International Council. For more information, contact Annie Demirjian, director of GSPIA, at ademir@glendon.yorku.ca or 416-736-2100 ext. 88170.