Club hosts Senator Pamela Wallin to talk Canada’s role in the world

Nazaneen Qauomi | Contributor

Featured image: The Honorable Senator Pamela Wallin speaks to students about the importance of being aware of international politics. | Amir Yazdanparast

Young Professionals in Foreign Policy Toronto at York U hosted their first speaker event by hosting the Honorable Senator Pamela Wallin at McLaughlin College’s Senior Common Room.

Wallin discussed her international affairs experience and Canada’s role as a peacekeeper.

After 9/11, then Prime Minister Jean Chretien appointed her as Consul General of Canada in New York. She discussed her role on the Special Independent Panel on Canada’s Future Role in Afghanistan.

She mentioned the fact that it is difficult to tell the difference between the “bad” and “good” guys. Moreover, intelligence gathering is more important and difficult than ever before, and migration is a major issue, according to Wallin.

Hoda Rabie, vice president of Young Professionals in Foreign Policy Toronto at York U, says the organization is hosting speakers with experience in foreign policy and diplomatic deals, regardless of their background.

“We focus on the actual work and experience of each individual and we think it’s important to get people involved in foreign policy matters,” she adds.
Rabie says students should become informed and be aware of Canada’s foreign policy and hear it from the experts who are working in the field.

“People should stay informed about foreign policy because it affects everyone, not only [people] in Canada, but in the world. They should come out and see how people participate in making the country better in foreign matters.”

Political science student Andrew Vittas was happy to be attending the event, saying that he learned many technicalities. “Like anyone else, I get my news from The Globe and Mail,” adds Vittas.

Second-year psychology student Antara Dhruba says the event was very educational for her. “As someone who is not in political science, my knowledge is very limited about international development or politics. When the senator was talking about Middle Eastern affairs, it was very enlightening because I didn’t know anything about it before,” she adds.

Wallin has previously worked as a journalist, entrepreneur, diplomat and is currently a senator from Saskatchewan.