Canadian Defence and Foreign Affairs Institute
Encyclopedia
The Canadian Defence & Foreign Affairs Institute was incorporated as a charitable organization
in 2001. CDFAI is an independent “research institute/think tank” based in Calgary
. It pursues new ideas to focus the national debate and understanding of Canada
’s international policies with the ultimate aim of ensuring a more globally engaged Canada. CDFAI believes that doing so enhances Canadian security and prosperity. The organization is dedicated to educating Canadians, and particularly those who have leadership roles in shaping Canadian foreign policy
, about the importance of Canada always being proactive in world affairs with tangible diplomatic
, military
and aid assets. Through its Fellows program, CDFAI has gathered a group of highly experienced and talented individuals with defence, diplomacy and development backgrounds – both academic and practitioners - who support the organization by authoring research papers and responding to media queries. CDFAI also runs conferences and courses, initiates polling
, and develops outreach and education projects.
and markets. They are largely unaware, however, of the importance of Canada engaging internationally in the ongoing struggle to maintain a world that is friendly to the free flow of goods, services, people and ideas across borders and the promotion of human rights
. Canadians are largely unaware of the connection between a prosperous and free Canada and a world of globalization
and liberal internationalism
. As a trading nation, 38% of Canada’s GDP comes from international trade
and 84% of export
s are traded with the USA. When the world economy is constrained for whatever reason, Canada feels the pinch. It is, therefore, important for Canada to strive for a world that is safe, politically stable and prosperous.
CDFAI believes that Canada is a nation with significant international potential. The world is changing quickly and not necessarily for the better; therefore, new thinking is required to face new challenges. CDFAI is an independent organization drawing on the best talent from both academia and the “real” world to provide rigorous analysis
of, and workable ideas for, Canada’s international involvement.
Canadian global engagement.
which expresses our national interests, political and social values, military capabilities, economic
strength and willingness to be engaged with action that is timely and credible.
CDFAI is making a difference and although it cannot take credit alone, it was one of the first organizations to recommend a change away from values-based international rhetoric to investing in assets to help solve international problems. Both the recent Liberal
and now the Conservative
government
are beginning to do just that.
Charitable organization
A charitable organization is a type of non-profit organization . It differs from other types of NPOs in that it centers on philanthropic goals A charitable organization is a type of non-profit organization (NPO). It differs from other types of NPOs in that it centers on philanthropic goals A...
in 2001. CDFAI is an independent “research institute/think tank” based in Calgary
Calgary
Calgary is a city in the Province of Alberta, Canada. It is located in the south of the province, in an area of foothills and prairie, approximately east of the front ranges of the Canadian Rockies...
. It pursues new ideas to focus the national debate and understanding of 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 international policies with the ultimate aim of ensuring a more globally engaged Canada. CDFAI believes that doing so enhances Canadian security and prosperity. The organization is dedicated to educating Canadians, and particularly those who have leadership roles in shaping Canadian foreign policy
Foreign relations of Canada
The foreign relations of Canada are Canada's relations with other governments and peoples. Canada's most important relationship, being the largest trading relationship in the world, is with the United States...
, about the importance of Canada always being proactive in world affairs with tangible diplomatic
Diplomacy
Diplomacy is the art and practice of conducting negotiations between representatives of groups or states...
, military
Military
A military is an organization authorized by its greater society to use lethal force, usually including use of weapons, in defending its country by combating actual or perceived threats. The military may have additional functions of use to its greater society, such as advancing a political agenda e.g...
and aid assets. Through its Fellows program, CDFAI has gathered a group of highly experienced and talented individuals with defence, diplomacy and development backgrounds – both academic and practitioners - who support the organization by authoring research papers and responding to media queries. CDFAI also runs conferences and courses, initiates polling
Opinion poll
An opinion poll, sometimes simply referred to as a poll is a survey of public opinion from a particular sample. Opinion polls are usually designed to represent the opinions of a population by conducting a series of questions and then extrapolating generalities in ratio or within confidence...
, and develops outreach and education projects.
Background
CDFAI was created to address the ongoing discrepancy between what Canadians need to know about Canadian international activities and what they do know. Historically, Canadians tend to think of foreign policy – if they think of it at all – as a matter of tradeTrade
Trade is the transfer of ownership of goods and services from one person or entity to another. Trade is sometimes loosely called commerce or financial transaction or barter. A network that allows trade is called a market. The original form of trade was barter, the direct exchange of goods and...
and markets. They are largely unaware, however, of the importance of Canada engaging internationally in the ongoing struggle to maintain a world that is friendly to the free flow of goods, services, people and ideas across borders and the promotion of human rights
Human rights
Human rights are "commonly understood as inalienable fundamental rights to which a person is inherently entitled simply because she or he is a human being." Human rights are thus conceived as universal and egalitarian . These rights may exist as natural rights or as legal rights, in both national...
. Canadians are largely unaware of the connection between a prosperous and free Canada and a world of globalization
Globalization
Globalization refers to the increasingly global relationships of culture, people and economic activity. Most often, it refers to economics: the global distribution of the production of goods and services, through reduction of barriers to international trade such as tariffs, export fees, and import...
and liberal internationalism
Liberal internationalism
Liberal internationalism is a foreign policy doctrine that argues that liberal states should intervene in other sovereign states in order to pursue liberal objectives. Such intervention can include both military invasion and humanitarian aid. This view is contrasted to isolationist, realist, or...
. As a trading nation, 38% of Canada’s GDP comes from international trade
International trade
International trade is the exchange of capital, goods, and services across international borders or territories. In most countries, such trade represents a significant share of gross domestic product...
and 84% of export
Export
The term export is derived from the conceptual meaning as to ship the goods and services out of the port of a country. The seller of such goods and services is referred to as an "exporter" who is based in the country of export whereas the overseas based buyer is referred to as an "importer"...
s are traded with the USA. When the world economy is constrained for whatever reason, Canada feels the pinch. It is, therefore, important for Canada to strive for a world that is safe, politically stable and prosperous.
CDFAI believes that Canada is a nation with significant international potential. The world is changing quickly and not necessarily for the better; therefore, new thinking is required to face new challenges. CDFAI is an independent organization drawing on the best talent from both academia and the “real” world to provide rigorous analysis
Analysis
Analysis is the process of breaking a complex topic or substance into smaller parts to gain a better understanding of it. The technique has been applied in the study of mathematics and logic since before Aristotle , though analysis as a formal concept is a relatively recent development.The word is...
of, and workable ideas for, Canada’s international involvement.
Mission Statement
CDFAI is dedicated to be a catalyst for innovativeInnovation
Innovation is the creation of better or more effective products, processes, technologies, or ideas that are accepted by markets, governments, and society...
Canadian global engagement.
Vision
Canada has a respected, influential voice in the international arena based on a comprehensive foreign policyForeign policy
A country's foreign policy, also called the foreign relations policy, consists of self-interest strategies chosen by the state to safeguard its national interests and to achieve its goals within international relations milieu. The approaches are strategically employed to interact with other countries...
which expresses our national interests, political and social values, military capabilities, economic
Economy
An economy consists of the economic system of a country or other area; the labor, capital and land resources; and the manufacturing, trade, distribution, and consumption of goods and services of that area...
strength and willingness to be engaged with action that is timely and credible.
Assumptions
- CDFAI will focus on authoritative research as its core area of expertise.
- CDFAI can make a real difference in educating Canadians.
- CDFAI will collaborate with other organizations.
- CDFAI’s products will be objective and credible.
Values & Beliefs
- A nation’s international influence governs its ability to defend and advance its national interests, be they cultural, economic, social, or political.
- International status is determined by a combination of cultural influence, diplomatic leadership, economic powerEconomic powerThere is no agreed-upon definition of power in economics. At least five definitions of power have been used:*Purchasing power, i.e., the ability of any amount of money to buy goods and services. Those with more assets, or, more correctly, net worth, have more power of this sort...
, military powerArmed forcesThe armed forces of a country are its government-sponsored defense, fighting forces, and organizations. They exist to further the foreign and domestic policies of their governing body, and to defend that body and the nation it represents from external aggressors. In some countries paramilitary...
or moral authority. As a nation small in population, Canada’s place in the world can only be maintained by a judicious balancing of these five factors since the prospect of Canada acting as a dominant global power in any one of these areas is rather slim. - Canada’s quality of lifeQuality of lifeThe term quality of life is used to evaluate the general well-being of individuals and societies. The term is used in a wide range of contexts, including the fields of international development, healthcare, and politics. Quality of life should not be confused with the concept of standard of...
and standard of livingStandard of livingStandard of living is generally measured by standards such as real income per person and poverty rate. Other measures such as access and quality of health care, income growth inequality and educational standards are also used. Examples are access to certain goods , or measures of health such as...
depends on international trade and the free flow of people and ideas across international boundaries. Thus Canada has a vested interestVested interestVested interest is a communication theory that seeks to explain how influences impact behaviors. As defined by William Crano, vested interest refers to the amount that an attitude object is deemed hedonically relevant by the attitude holder...
in a peaceful, democratic world wherein human rights and freedoms are sacrosanct. - Canada’s global requirements ought to determine its spending on defence, security, foreign affairs and international aid.
- Canada has the economic potential and political and social values to make a significant contribution to international peace and securityPeacekeepingPeacekeeping is an activity that aims to create the conditions for lasting peace. It is distinguished from both peacebuilding and peacemaking....
. - If Canada were participating in international affairsInternational relationsInternational relations is the study of relationships between countries, including the roles of states, inter-governmental organizations , international nongovernmental organizations , non-governmental organizations and multinational corporations...
at or near its potential, the world would be a more secure place and there would be less suffering as a consequence. - Understanding Canada’s place in the world and knowing its interests and the conjunction of Canadian interests with Canadian values is a prerequisite to acting responsibly as a nation.
- Authoritative analysis and researchResearchResearch can be defined as the scientific search for knowledge, or as any systematic investigation, to establish novel facts, solve new or existing problems, prove new ideas, or develop new theories, usually using a scientific method...
is necessary to develop logical arguments and create innovative ideas that persuade Canadians to support an active global presence.
Corporate Structure
- Board of directorsBoard of directorsA 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...
– Six directors focus on governance, stewardship and external relationsPublic relationsPublic relations is the actions of a corporation, store, government, individual, etc., in promoting goodwill between itself and the public, the community, employees, customers, etc....
. - Advisory Council – Ten advisors provide feedback on current and future programs.
- Staff – Four - PresidentPresidentA president is a leader of an organization, company, trade union, university, or country.Etymologically, a president is one who presides, who sits in leadership...
manages business and external relations, Director of Programs manages programs, Program Coordinator and Administrative Assistant. - Fellows and Consultants–35 Fellows (and retained consultants where necessary) prepare all research papers, courses, editorial review, and do mediaMass mediaMass media refers collectively to all media technologies which are intended to reach a large audience via mass communication. Broadcast media transmit their information electronically and comprise of television, film and radio, movies, CDs, DVDs and some other gadgets like cameras or video consoles...
contact.
Evaluation
Each of CDFAI’s projects is developed to bring attention to pressing defence and foreign policy issues With the ultimate aim of strengthening Canada’s international role. These projects not only analyze the issues but also offer solutions. By publishing the results of these research projects, CDFAI provides policymakers information to carry out policy formulation and administration in a more informed manner. It also allows interested Canadians to become more knowledgeable.CDFAI is making a difference and although it cannot take credit alone, it was one of the first organizations to recommend a change away from values-based international rhetoric to investing in assets to help solve international problems. Both the recent Liberal
Left-wing politics
In politics, Left, left-wing and leftist generally refer to support for social change to create a more egalitarian society...
and now the Conservative
Right-wing politics
In politics, Right, right-wing and rightist generally refer to support for a hierarchical society justified on the basis of an appeal to natural law or tradition. To varying degrees, the Right rejects the egalitarian objectives of left-wing politics, claiming that the imposition of equality is...
government
Government
Government refers to the legislators, administrators, and arbitrators in the administrative bureaucracy who control a state at a given time, and to the system of government by which they are organized...
are beginning to do just that.