Eighteen students from the first and second years of Glendon’s Master’s program in Public and International Affairs spent four days in Ottawa from April 13 to 16, taking part in an intensive study tour designed to connect academic learning with real-world policymaking. Conducted under the Chatham House Rule, the program fostered open and candid dialogue with senior officials, diplomats, and policy experts across Canada’s capital.
From the outset, the schedule emphasized breadth and depth, exposing students to a wide range of pressing policy issues. The tour kicked off with a discussion on Arctic sovereignty and security, featuring Natan Obed, President of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, Danish Ambassador Nikolaj Harris, and Yukon M.P. Brendan Hanley. The conversation highlighted the geopolitical importance of the Arctic, Indigenous leadership, and the evolving strategic interests of global actors in the region. This was followed by a presentation on U.S. strategic security by Andrew Rasiulis, from the Canadian Global Affairs Institute, which unpacked the implications of American defense policy for Canada and its allies.
A visit to the Supreme Court of Canada offered students a hands-on understanding of the judiciary, including a trial simulation and a meeting with Justice Mahmud Jamal. The day continued with a reflective session on public service led by Senator Peter Harder, followed by a policy discussion with Rachel Bendayan, M.P. and Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister, examining the consequences of the Prime Minister Carney’s Davos speech on Canada’s foreign and economic policy.
On Wednesday, attention turned to global conflict and environmental challenges. A session on the war in Iraq with Alan Kessel and Joe Varner from the Macdonald-Laurier Institute explored the long-term implications of military intervention and regional instability. Later, at the U.S. Embassy, students examined American security strategy and Canada–U.S. relations, gaining insight into a critical bilateral partnership, on the eve of a round of negotiations of the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement.
Environmental policy came into focus during a meeting with M.P. Steven Guilbeault, who discussed Canada’s climate commitments and the complexities of implementing them. The day concluded with Mona Fortier, M.P. and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, who spoke about Canada’s foreign policy priorities and the role of La Francophonie in international engagement.
Thursday’s program brought students into direct contact with diplomatic missions. At the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China, discussions centered on Canada–China cooperation and the challenges of navigating a complex bilateral relationship. At the Embassy of Ukraine, Ambassador Andrii Plakhotniuk provided a compelling account of managing foreign policy during wartime, offering students a nuanced understanding of the ongoing conflict. The final visit, to the Embassy of Mexico, explored economic and political relations between Canada and Mexico, underscoring the historical importance of North American cooperation.
For students, the experience was both academically enriching and personally transformative. As tour participant Woelher Zidor reflected:
“The Ottawa study tour significantly deepened my understanding of international affairs and the complexity of global relations. I found all of the meetings highly valuable, particularly the discussions at the U.S. Embassy and those focused on China, which offered important insight into the evolving relationship between these two countries. In addition, the presentation on Ukraine was especially impactful, as it provided a clearer and more nuanced understanding of the realities surrounding the Russian invasion. Overall, this experience strengthened my interest in international issues and enhanced my ability to think critically about global dynamics.”
By the time the group returned to Toronto, students had gained not only a richer understanding of public and international affairs but also a clearer sense of how theory and practice intersect. The study tour reinforced the value of dialogue, critical inquiry, and direct engagement—key elements in preparing the next generation of policy professionals, diplomats and changemakers.
Susan Pond, Director of the School of Public and International Affairs, emphasized the importance of experiential learning in the program:
“Bringing students to Ottawa to meet directly with policymakers, diplomats, and public servants adds an essential dimension to their education. These face-to-face conversations allow students to engage with the people shaping policy in real time, deepening their understanding in ways that simply cannot be replicated in the classroom.”
We extend our sincere gratitude to all those who generously devoted their time to meet with our students. We are also deeply appreciative of the office of Robert Oliphant, M.P. and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, for their invaluable assistance in facilitating these meetings.
In the words of Natan Obed: “In our society, one the most cherished parts, one of the most guarded parts is to respect knowledge and to not pretend to have knowledge that you don’t. And I know that’s it really helped me in my career to know the things that I know, but also really recognize the things that I don’t. (…) In the way in which you do your business, know that you will always be respected, by having knowledge and being truthful, not necessarily by being first in the space. Good luck!”
