B.C.’s International Relations in a Turbulent World

Join us for CIC Vancouver's first event of 2025: "B.C.’s International Relations in a Turbulent World" with guest speaker Ken Macartney, former Canadian diplomat and international relations advisor in the B.C. government.

The event will feature a presentation by Ken, followed by a fireside chat with Randolph Mank, former Canadian diplomat and global business executive. Light dinner and snacks will be provided throughout the evening.

Date: Thursday, February 6th, 2024
Time: 5:00 - 7:00 PM
Location: YWCA Hotel Vancouver (733 Beatty St, Vancouver, BC V6B 2M4)

NOTE TO CIC MEMBERS: A promo code for discounted tickets will be included in an email invite to come shortly.

Event Synopsis

In an era of geopolitical instability and increasing Canadian foreign policy challenges, how can British Columbia pursue its distinct international interests? As a former Canadian diplomat and international relations advisor in the B.C. government, Ken Macartney will highlight the province’s role in influencing Canadian foreign and trade policy and how B.C. pursues its own global opportunities and relationships, particularly in the Indo-Pacific and with the USA and Europe.

About the Speakers

Ken Macartney served as a former Canadian Ambassador to Sweden, Deputy High Commissioner to India, and political officer at Canadian embassies in Oslo, Tokyo, and Stockholm.

He joined Canada’s foreign service in 1982 after graduating from the University of Victoria. At headquarters in Ottawa, his various assignments included Canada’s anti-apartheid efforts, negotiating global environmental treaties, and managing Canada’s relations with South and Southeast Asia.

Following his 36-year career in Global Affairs Canada, he joined UVic’s Centre for Global Studies and subsequently worked in the B.C. government providing international relations advice before retiring in October 2024.

Randolph Mank is a global business executive and diplomat with over 30 years of international experience, including serving as Canada’s Ambassador to Indonesia, Pakistan, and Malaysia. He is also a former President Asia-Pacific for SICPA of Switzerland, and a Vice President Asia for BlackBerry.

Randolph also served as Director-General for Asia at Canada's Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, and as Canada's Senior Official for ASEAN. His other international assignments included Greece, Sweden, and Japan. He headed the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Secretariat for Canada from 1999-2003 while serving as Director for Policy Planning in Ottawa.

In addition to heading MankGlobal consulting, a proud sponsor of CIC Vancouver events, he sits on boards and is a Fellow of both the Canadian Global Affairs Institute and the Balsillie School of International Affairs.

Event Agenda

5:00 - 5:15: Door opens

5:15 - 5:20: Introduction and land acknowledgment by Luthfi

5:20 - 5:40: Talk by Ken Macartney

5:40 - 6:10: Fireside chat hosted by Randolph Mank with Ken Macartney

6:10 - 6:40: Q&A with audience

6:40: Closing remarks

6:40 - 7:00pm: Networking with CIC members and guests

About CIC Vancouver:

Established in 1928 as one of the first CIC branches in Canada, CIC Vancouver is a grassroots non-profit organization with a mandate to provide professionals, academics, students, and community members in the Greater Vancouver Area with a platform to stay engaged in international and foreign policy issues. We also aim to help create a vibrant community of international affairs practitioners and enthusiasts within the Greater Vancouver Area. We seek to achieve our goals by hosting regular seminars and networking events with leaders in international affairs and by running various educational and capacity-building programs. We have hosted speaker events with elected officials, foreign Canadian diplomats, high-ranking military officers, scholars, and more.

If you're interested in joining our vibrant community and enjoying benefits like discounted event pricing, please consider becoming a member. For more information and to sign up, visit https://thecic.org/become-a-member/.