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By CIPS
CIPS Conference Report, March 2018

• Disorder, Disruptions, Directions – a 10th anniversary celebration might seem to call for a more light-hearted theme! But we live in uncertain and turbulent times: From the rise of right-wing populism and anti-immigration sentiments in Europe to turmoil in the Middle East; from Russia’s display of power to China’s rise and the United States’ withdrawal from multilateralism, much of the familiar liberal world order is under threat or in transformation.
• Since its formation, CIPS has engaged with the most urgent issues in global affairs. The Centre was launched with a conference on Afghanistan at the end of a year when violence between Western forces and Taliban reached record levels. It is therefore fitting that we mark our tenth anniversary by tackling today’s most pressing questions head on.
• Building on the University of Ottawa’s world-class professors, our excellent graduate students and renowned visiting scholars, CIPS acts as a forum for ideas, research and public engagement. Through its publications, research networks, public lectures, conferences, workshops, and internationally-acclaimed Blog, the Center is a dynamic meeting place for intellectuals, civil society and policymakers, promoting debate and encouraging innovative thinking about international affairs and Canada’s place in the world.
• With ‘Disorder, Disruptions, Directions’ we embark on our next 10 years – not only by asking the difficult questions, but equally importantly, by exploring possible solutions and new directions for international affairs and Canada’s role in the world.

See photos from the event here.