Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada
Encyclopedia
The Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada, created by an Act of Parliament
in 1984, is an independent, not-for-profit think-tank on Canada's relations with Asia.
, the Foundation functions as a knowledge broker, bringing together people and knowledge to provide current and comprehensive research, analysis and information on Canada
's transpacific relations. It promotes dialogue on economic, security, political and social issues, fostering informed decision-making in the Canadian public, private and non-governmental sectors. The Foundation also provides grants to support policy research and informed discussion on Canada’s relations with Asia
.
. Its inception in 1984 was led by the Department of External Affairs, and was specifically proposed by the director general of the Department’s Asian and Pacific bureau, Tom Delworth. At the time the Department was headed by Secretary of State for External Affairs Joe Clark
. Soon after, Vancouver businessman John Bruk was commissioned by the Department to undertake a study of the proposal. His report was accepted and became the basis for the founding Act. Bruk became the founding Chairman. The founders aimed to create an independent source of thought on Canada’s trade, investment and political relations with Asia. This came amidst the growing perception of Canada as a Pacific country, compared with its relations being conducted primarily by the Eastern provinces across the Atlantic. As a result it was mandated that the Foundation’s primary office should always be in Vancouver
, British Columbia
as to promote relations with Asia across the Pacific. This idea was the premise for the creation of the Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor Initiative
, whose mission is to establish Canada’s Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor as the best transportation network
facilitating global supply chain
s between North America and Asia.
The Foundation was initially funded on short-term plans or for specific projects with contributions from both the Federal and Provincial governments, as well as by corporate and private donors. In 2005 a founding supporter of the Foundation, Senator Jack Austin
, led an initiative to award the Foundation a C$ 50 million endowment from the Government of Canada
, from where it now draws the majority of its funding.
. The goal is to provide guidance on Asia Pacific topics for business and governments, and to enhance the links among the policy, business and research communities in areas relating to Canada's ties with Asia.
. The Board consists of a Chairperson and up to six other directors appointed by the Governor in Council; up to 18 additional directors appointed by the Board after consultation with provincial governments and other interested outside parties; and the President of the Foundation. The Chairperson and each of the Board members is appointed for a term of three years, and may serve a maximum of three terms. The Board, which has ultimate responsibility for the Foundation’s activities, meets at least twice a year. It is responsible for setting the strategic directions of the Foundation, management of the endowment fund, and appointment of the President.
Yuen Pau Woo
is the current President and CEO. He is Coordinator for the PECC
State of the Region Report, Director of the APEC Study Centre in Canada, and Adjunct Professor at the Institute of Asian Research
at the University of British Columbia
(UBC).
at the University of Western Ontario); and Investment Monitor(a summary of new Canadian investments in Asia and Asian investments in Canada). All of the publications are available through the Foundation's subscription service.
The Foundation focuses on my aspects of the Canada-Asia relationship including trade, human rights, two-way investment and more. The Foundation's work covers all of Asia-Pacific with an especially strong focus on Canada-China relations and Canada-India relations.
The Foundation also operates a video channel, Asia Pacific Video http://www.asiapacific.ca/media/video. The channel regularly features Foundation staff and outside experts discussing relevant topics in Canada-Asia relations. Past videos have featured Joe Clark
, Joseph Caron
, Jim O'Neill
, Richard Woolcott
and Louise Fréchette
.
The Foundation’s Research Grants Program is funded through the proceeds of an endowment established by the Government of Canada and is designed to support research and informed discussion on Canada’s relations with Asia.
The current Senior Fellows for the Foundation are Amitav Acharya, Wendy Dobson, Brian Job, Pitman Potter, George Stalk, Henry Wang
and Hank Bull.
The current Distinguished Fellows for the Foundation are Stockwell Day
, Len Edwards, Joseph Caron
and Donald W. Campbell.
In April 2011 the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada launched a new project entitled the National Conversation on Asia (NCA). The NCA is an initiative to get Canadians thinking, talking and acting on Canada-Asia issues. The project features a series of youth bloggers, community events, speaker series, and other outreach and engagement activities.
Through a program of stakeholder consultations, research and public communications, the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada is seeking to advance dialogue on Canada's Asia Pacific Gateway, identifying policy priorities for governments and measures to strengthen the competitiveness of Canadian businesses and contribute to sustainable gateway communities.
The Canadians Abroad Project consists of a policy research consortium initiated by the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada with the support of Citizenship and Immigration Canada
, Western Economic Diversification Canada
, the Government of British Columbia and the Walter & Duncan Gordon Foundation. The three-year (2008–2010) joint research project analyzes the causes and consequences of the Canadian citizens by birth or naturalization living abroad. The project profiles Canadians that live in other countries. Some of its work includes qualitative research that estimates there are bout 2.8 million Canadians (about 8% of Canada's population) living abroad. The Foundation recently released an interactive map of the distribution of Canadians abroad http://www.asiapacific.ca/distribution-of-canadians-abroad.
Surveys and opinion polls are important tools in gaining information and insight into the views or intentions of various groups. APF Canada undertakes several such surveys each year. Among these are the Asian Investment Intentions Survey and, every second year, a nationwide opinion poll, testing attitudes toward a number of issues involving Asia.
Act of Parliament
An Act of Parliament is a statute enacted as primary legislation by a national or sub-national parliament. In the Republic of Ireland the term Act of the Oireachtas is used, and in the United States the term Act of Congress is used.In Commonwealth countries, the term is used both in a narrow...
in 1984, is an independent, not-for-profit think-tank on Canada's relations with Asia.
Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada
Based in VancouverVancouver
Vancouver is a coastal seaport city on the mainland of British Columbia, Canada. It is the hub of Greater Vancouver, which, with over 2.3 million residents, is the third most populous metropolitan area in the country,...
, the Foundation functions as a knowledge broker, bringing together people and knowledge to provide current and comprehensive research, analysis and information on Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
's transpacific relations. It promotes dialogue on economic, security, political and social issues, fostering informed decision-making in the Canadian public, private and non-governmental sectors. The Foundation also provides grants to support policy research and informed discussion on Canada’s relations with Asia
Asia
Asia is the world's largest and most populous continent, located primarily in the eastern and northern hemispheres. It covers 8.7% of the Earth's total surface area and with approximately 3.879 billion people, it hosts 60% of the world's current human population...
.
History of the Foundation
The Foundation was created as part of the Canadian government’s growing interest in relations with Asia under the administrations of Prime Minister Pierre TrudeauPierre Trudeau
Joseph Philippe Pierre Yves Elliott Trudeau, , usually known as Pierre Trudeau or Pierre Elliott Trudeau, was the 15th Prime Minister of Canada from April 20, 1968 to June 4, 1979, and again from March 3, 1980 to June 30, 1984.Trudeau began his political career campaigning for socialist ideals,...
. Its inception in 1984 was led by the Department of External Affairs, and was specifically proposed by the director general of the Department’s Asian and Pacific bureau, Tom Delworth. At the time the Department was headed by Secretary of State for External Affairs Joe Clark
Joe Clark
Charles Joseph "Joe" Clark, is a Canadian statesman, businessman, and university professor, and former journalist and politician...
. Soon after, Vancouver businessman John Bruk was commissioned by the Department to undertake a study of the proposal. His report was accepted and became the basis for the founding Act. Bruk became the founding Chairman. The founders aimed to create an independent source of thought on Canada’s trade, investment and political relations with Asia. This came amidst the growing perception of Canada as a Pacific country, compared with its relations being conducted primarily by the Eastern provinces across the Atlantic. As a result it was mandated that the Foundation’s primary office should always be in Vancouver
Vancouver
Vancouver is a coastal seaport city on the mainland of British Columbia, Canada. It is the hub of Greater Vancouver, which, with over 2.3 million residents, is the third most populous metropolitan area in the country,...
, British Columbia
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
as to promote relations with Asia across the Pacific. This idea was the premise for the creation of the Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor Initiative
Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor Initiative
The Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor Initiative is an integrated set of investment and policy measures of the Canadian federal government that are focused on trade with the Asia-Pacific Region.-The Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor:...
, whose mission is to establish Canada’s Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor as the best transportation network
Transportation network
Transportation network may refer to:* Transport network, physical infrastructure* Transportation network , the mathematical graph theory...
facilitating global supply chain
Supply chain
A supply chain is a system of organizations, people, technology, activities, information and resources involved in moving a product or service from supplier to customer. Supply chain activities transform natural resources, raw materials and components into a finished product that is delivered to...
s between North America and Asia.
The Foundation was initially funded on short-term plans or for specific projects with contributions from both the Federal and Provincial governments, as well as by corporate and private donors. In 2005 a founding supporter of the Foundation, Senator Jack Austin
Jack Austin
Jacob "Jack" Austin, PC, OBC is a Canadian former politician and former member of the Canadian Senate. He was appointed to the upper house by Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau on August 8, 1975 and represented British Columbia. At the time of his retirement he was the longest serving Senator.-Life...
, led an initiative to award the Foundation a C$ 50 million endowment from the Government of Canada
Government of Canada
The Government of Canada, formally Her Majesty's Government, is the system whereby the federation of Canada is administered by a common authority; in Canadian English, the term can mean either the collective set of institutions or specifically the Queen-in-Council...
, from where it now draws the majority of its funding.
Mandate
The Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada undertakes strategic research on Canada's economic, political and social relations with Asia-PacificAsia-Pacific
Asia-Pacific or Asia Pacific is the part of the world in or near the Western Pacific Ocean...
. The goal is to provide guidance on Asia Pacific topics for business and governments, and to enhance the links among the policy, business and research communities in areas relating to Canada's ties with Asia.
Governance
The affairs of the Foundation are managed by a Board of DirectorsBoard of directors
A board of directors is a body of elected or appointed members who jointly oversee the activities of a company or organization. Other names include board of governors, board of managers, board of regents, board of trustees, and board of visitors...
. The Board consists of a Chairperson and up to six other directors appointed by the Governor in Council; up to 18 additional directors appointed by the Board after consultation with provincial governments and other interested outside parties; and the President of the Foundation. The Chairperson and each of the Board members is appointed for a term of three years, and may serve a maximum of three terms. The Board, which has ultimate responsibility for the Foundation’s activities, meets at least twice a year. It is responsible for setting the strategic directions of the Foundation, management of the endowment fund, and appointment of the President.
Yuen Pau Woo
Yuen Pau Woo
Yuen Pau Woo is a thought leader on contemporary Asia affairs and expert on Canada-Asia relations. He is currently the President and CEO of the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada, a Vancouver-based think-tank on Canada-Asia relations....
is the current President and CEO. He is Coordinator for the PECC
Pacific Economic Cooperation Council
The Pacific Economic Cooperation Council is a network of member committees composed of individuals and institutions dedicated to promoting cooperation across the Asia Pacific region...
State of the Region Report, Director of the APEC Study Centre in Canada, and Adjunct Professor at the Institute of Asian Research
Institute of Asian Research
The Institute of Asian Research at the University of British Columbia is a research institute founded in 1978 and has been the foremost research centre in Canada for the inter-disciplinary study of Asia...
at the University of British Columbia
University of British Columbia
The University of British Columbia is a public research university. UBC’s two main campuses are situated in Vancouver and in Kelowna in the Okanagan Valley...
(UBC).
Affiliations
- Canada participates in the Pacific Economic Cooperation CouncilPacific Economic Cooperation CouncilThe Pacific Economic Cooperation Council is a network of member committees composed of individuals and institutions dedicated to promoting cooperation across the Asia Pacific region...
(PECC) through the Canadian Committee for Pacific Economic Cooperation (CANCPEC), which is administered by the Foundation. - The Foundation serves as the secretariat for Canada's APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) members, providing research, analysis, and administrative support.
- The Foundation is the APEC Study Centre for Canada, a role the Foundation was given by the Government of Canada in 1995. As the Study Centre, the Foundation produces research papers and commentary on priority issues for Canada’s involvement in APEC.
Publications
The Foundation undertakes research and analysis on Canada-Asia relationships and publishes the results on its website. Electronic publications are available free of charge and include: a daily Canada-Asia News Service (a summary of stories involving Canada-Asia business and government relations and links to the main headlines from Asia); Canada Asia Commentary (an in-depth analysis of a topic of importance to Canada's relations with Asia); Canada Asia Agenda (a concise analysis of issues in Canada's involvement with a major Asia Pacific partner or major regional industry); Research Reports (research on areas of Canada’s involvement with Asia undertaken by Canadian scholars); Asian Business Cases (studies offering executives and researchers insights into the way major companies solve problems and overcome obstacles in their Asian operations, taken from the portfolio of case studies in the archive of the Richard Ivey School of BusinessRichard Ivey School of Business
The Richard Ivey School of Business is located on the University of Western Ontario campus in London, Ontario, Canada, and is consistently rated as the top business school in Canada. It is offered, along with a range of other programs, by the University of Western Ontario, but is managed separately...
at the University of Western Ontario); and Investment Monitor(a summary of new Canadian investments in Asia and Asian investments in Canada). All of the publications are available through the Foundation's subscription service.
The Foundation focuses on my aspects of the Canada-Asia relationship including trade, human rights, two-way investment and more. The Foundation's work covers all of Asia-Pacific with an especially strong focus on Canada-China relations and Canada-India relations.
The Foundation also operates a video channel, Asia Pacific Video http://www.asiapacific.ca/media/video. The channel regularly features Foundation staff and outside experts discussing relevant topics in Canada-Asia relations. Past videos have featured Joe Clark
Joe Clark
Charles Joseph "Joe" Clark, is a Canadian statesman, businessman, and university professor, and former journalist and politician...
, Joseph Caron
Joseph Caron
Joseph Caron is a former Canadian High Commissioner to India and former Canadian Ambassador to China and Japan. Born and raised in the small francophone agricultural village of Pain Court in South-western Ontario , Caron attended the University of Ottawa Joseph Caron (born 1947) is a former...
, Jim O'Neill
Jim O'Neill (economist)
Jim O'Neill is presently the Chairman of Goldman Sachs Asset Management. He was previously head of global economic research and commodities and strategy research at Goldman Sachs. He is best known for his prominent economic thesis regarding the economically related nations referred to as BRICs...
, Richard Woolcott
Richard Woolcott
Richard Arthur Woolcott, AC is a retired Australian diplomat, author and commentator.Woolcott was educated at Geelong Grammar School and the University of Melbourne, and became a member of the Australian Diplomatic Service. He held positions as Australia's ambassador to Indonesia and The...
and Louise Fréchette
Louise Fréchette
Louise Fréchette, OC was United Nations Deputy Secretary-General for eight years, and a long-time Canadian diplomat and public servant...
.
Special Projects
The Foundation’s Research Grants Program is funded through the proceeds of an endowment established by the Government of Canada and is designed to support research and informed discussion on Canada’s relations with Asia.
The current Senior Fellows for the Foundation are Amitav Acharya, Wendy Dobson, Brian Job, Pitman Potter, George Stalk, Henry Wang
Wang Huiyao (Henry)
Dr. Huiyao Wang is the Founding Director General of Center for China and Globalization and the Vice Chairman of China Western Returned Scholars Association , the largest Chinese overseas returned scholars’ organization in China with over 50,000 members...
and Hank Bull.
The current Distinguished Fellows for the Foundation are Stockwell Day
Stockwell Day
Stockwell Burt Day, Jr., PC, MP is a former Canadian politician, and a member of the Conservative Party of Canada. He is a former cabinet minister in Alberta, and a former leader of the Canadian Alliance. Day was MP for the riding of Okanagan—Coquihalla in British Columbia and the president of...
, Len Edwards, Joseph Caron
Joseph Caron
Joseph Caron is a former Canadian High Commissioner to India and former Canadian Ambassador to China and Japan. Born and raised in the small francophone agricultural village of Pain Court in South-western Ontario , Caron attended the University of Ottawa Joseph Caron (born 1947) is a former...
and Donald W. Campbell.
In April 2011 the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada launched a new project entitled the National Conversation on Asia (NCA). The NCA is an initiative to get Canadians thinking, talking and acting on Canada-Asia issues. The project features a series of youth bloggers, community events, speaker series, and other outreach and engagement activities.
Through a program of stakeholder consultations, research and public communications, the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada is seeking to advance dialogue on Canada's Asia Pacific Gateway, identifying policy priorities for governments and measures to strengthen the competitiveness of Canadian businesses and contribute to sustainable gateway communities.
The Canadians Abroad Project consists of a policy research consortium initiated by the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada with the support of Citizenship and Immigration Canada
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
Citizenship and Immigration Canada is the department of the government of Canada with responsibility for issues dealing with immigration and citizenship...
, Western Economic Diversification Canada
Western Economic Diversification Canada
Western Economic Diversification Canada is a Canadian federal department that works towards building strong, competitive and innovative businesses and communities in Western Canada...
, the Government of British Columbia and the Walter & Duncan Gordon Foundation. The three-year (2008–2010) joint research project analyzes the causes and consequences of the Canadian citizens by birth or naturalization living abroad. The project profiles Canadians that live in other countries. Some of its work includes qualitative research that estimates there are bout 2.8 million Canadians (about 8% of Canada's population) living abroad. The Foundation recently released an interactive map of the distribution of Canadians abroad http://www.asiapacific.ca/distribution-of-canadians-abroad.
Surveys and opinion polls are important tools in gaining information and insight into the views or intentions of various groups. APF Canada undertakes several such surveys each year. Among these are the Asian Investment Intentions Survey and, every second year, a nationwide opinion poll, testing attitudes toward a number of issues involving Asia.