How We Developed the Agenda
Throughout 2021, we created a network of over 150 diplomats, scholars, bureaucrats, business leaders, politicians, journalists, and advocates. We identified eight subjects that pose serious challenges to the world, and convened groups of experts to discuss what Germany and Canada could do together to help redress these issues, in a way that protects material well-being and democratic values.
Climate Change
Climate Change
May 25, 2021
In advance of COP26, former Clerk of the Privy Council chaired a brainstorming session by climate and foreign policy experts on what inclusive democracies needed to achieve in Glasgow
Paper by Dr. Jen Allan, Cardiff University
Chair: Mel Cappe, ex-Clerk of the Privy Council, ex-Deputy Minister of the Environment
COVID-19 and Vaccine Equity
COVID-19 and Vaccine Equity
June 3, 2021
After the euphoria of vaccines developed in record time, the world saw how deep inequalities prevented them from reaching billions in time.
Canada’s top scientists joined WHO officials in exploring how to accelerate vaccine equity.
Paper by Dr. Peter Singer, WHO
Chair: Dr. Alan Bernstein, CEO, Canadian Foundation for Advanced Research
Democratic Protection
Democratic Protection
June 21, 2021
Between the rise of autocracies and longstanding democracies rejecting liberal values, democracy is in crisis. How can Canada and Germany – two middle power countries – protect human rights from foreign and domestic threats?
Paper by Jeremy Kinsman, CIC, and Dr. Kurt Bassuener, Democratization Policy Council
Chair: Dr. Jennifer Welsh, McGill University
Digital Democracy
Technology and Digital democracy
July 5, 2021
The digital sphere present new opportunities and also new threats, such as cyberwarfare and disinformation. We convened German and Canadian tech influencers and national security experts to frame how democracies should fight back.
Paper 1 by Prof. Ulrike Klinger, ENS
Paper 2 by Aaron Schull & Kailee Hilt, CIGI
Chair: Sue Gardner, Wikimedia
Global Trade and Economy
Global Trade and Economy
July 26, 2021
The Global Institutions and norms that facilitated unimaginable growth over the past 30 years are stalled. As the rules of the game of international break down, Canada’s top economic experts and trade policy officials charted new directions for Canadian prosperity.
Paper 1 by Lawrence Herman, Herman & Associates
Paper 2 by Bill White, CD Howe Institute
Chair: Dr. Ailish Campbell, Canada’s Ambassador to the European Union
Migration, Pluralism, and Refugees
Migration, Pluralism, and Refugees
September 20, 2021
Almost unique among liberal democracies today, Canada and Germany welcome migrants and refugees. Canadian politicians, German activists, and global scholars examined the remarkable exchange of best practices between our two nations.
Paper 1 by Prof. Ayelet Shachar, UofT
Paper 2 by Ulrich Kober, Bertelsmann Stiftung
Paper 3 by Paul Heinbecker & Fen Hampson, WRMC
Chair: Senator Ratna Omidvar, Senate of Canada
Peace and Security
International Peace and Security
October 12, 2021
People are increasingly looking to German and Canadian leadership to navigate high-stakes security issues, from Arctic sovereignty to the South China Sea. What can these two middle-power countries do to protect the rules-based international order?
Paper 1 by the German Federal Government
Paper 2 by Roland Paris, UOttawa
Chair: Dr. Jennifer Welsh, McGill
German-Canadian Cooperation
German-Canadian Bilateral Trade
November 26, 2021
The world’s fourth and ninth largest economies trade far less than the potential inherent in the relationship. Top economists from Cologne to Calgary explore what it would to change that.
Paper 1 by Prof. Dr. Michael Huether & Dr. Matthias Diermeier, German Economic Institute
Paper 2 by Dr. Jack Mintz, Fraser Institute
Chair: The Honourable Dr. Kevin Lynch, Privy Council Office of Canada