The seminar opened with words of welcome from Harry Qualman, Executive
Director, United Nations Association in Canada, and Patricia Lortie,
Director General, International Organizations Bureau, DFAIT. Mr. Qualman
noted that the mid-point of Canada’s term on the Security Council
was an opportune moment to reflect on past achievements and consider
future directions. The objective of the seminar was to seek the views
of representatives of civil society on what Canada should aim to achieve
during the rest of our Security Council mandate and to inform key opinion-makers
of Canadian achievements and challenges faced to date. Invited participants
included a mix of academics, representatives of NGOs and Parliamentarians
with an expertise or strong interest in the work of the Security Council.
Ms. Lortie referred to the seminar held last year, at the commencement
of Canada’s membership in the Council. The observations made in
that meeting proved very helpful in the first half of the Canadian term,
particularly with regard to Canada’s efforts to expand the Council
mandate to embrace the concept of human security and improve the Council’s
accountability and transparency. She anticipated that this seminar would
be equally useful.
