Event Archive

On behalf of the National Coalition of Canadians Against Anti-Asian Racism (NCCAAR) and the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada (APF Canada), we would like to invite you to join us online for our Asian Heritage Month Celebration: Inspiring Next GenerAsian Leaders, on May 6, 2022, from 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. ET (3:30 p.m – 4:30 p.m. PT). The online event will stream the in-person event taking place in Toronto.
 

Agenda

The APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) will hold its second meeting for 2022 in Vancouver 25-28 April 2022 to deliver some of the major outcomes for the year, including the Ministers Responsible for Trade (MRT) Letter and the ABAC Statement on the World Trade Organization and preparations for the MRT-ABAC Public Private Dialogue in Bangkok, Thailand on 21-22 May 2022.

ABAC is a private sector arm of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), comprising 21 member economies. ABAC’s primary mission is to advise APEC officials on business sector priorities and concerns, and present annual recommendations to APEC leaders. ABAC’s members include CEOs, presidents, and senior executives from APEC economies.

Canada’s ABAC Member representatives are Timothy D. Dattels, Chairman of TPG Asia; Janet De Silva, President and CEO of the Toronto Region Board of Trade; and Joseph S. Fung, Managing Partner, Saltagen Ventures.

The Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada serves as the secretariat for Canada's ABAC members, providing research, analysis, and administrative support.

This meeting is closed to the public.

Visit ABAC’s official website to learn more about ABAC and its activities.

APF Canada would like to thank the Business Council of British Columbia and DiliTrust Canada for their generous support of ABAC II 2022.

The Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong and Hong Kong-Canada Business Association (HKCBA) are proud to present The 8th Transpacific Entrepreneurial Virtual Conference. This 2-day conference will showcase “the roadmaps” to using Hong Kong as a platform for entrepreneurial ventures “from seed to exit” while discussing current opportunities for companies looking to expand into Canada, Hong Kong, or Greater China.

APF Canada's President and CEO, Jeff Nankivell will be speaking at this conference. 

Rotman School of Management in collaboration with the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada is pleased to host Sam Pitroda's book launch, Redesign the World. 

Book Synopsis: The world was last designed 75 years ago, about the same time that Sam Pitroda was born. This design has outlived its utility. Hyperconnectivity and the COVID-19 pandemic offer a unique opportunity to redesign the world to take humanity to the next level. Redesigning the world is not about looking at it from the point of view of liberal or conservative; left or right; capitalism or socialism; public or private; democracy, dictatorship or monarchy; open or closed systems; rich or poor; urban or rural; East or West; white, brown, black, or yellow. This proposed redesign of the world has the planet and its people at the centre; it is built on the foundations of sustainability, inclusion, equality, equity and justice so that everyone on earth can enjoy peace and prosperity. It is not an idealist or Utopian vision, but one with humanity at its core. This book is about reshaping the world to meet the future challenges of our planet and our people.

About Our Speaker:  Mr. Sam Pitroda is an internationally respected development thinker, policymaker,  inventor, and entrepreneur who has spent more than 55 years in Telecom & IT

Credited with laying the foundation of India's technology revolution in the 1980s, he was advisor to Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi  in 1980s and Dr. Singh in the 2010s with a cabinet minister’s rank. Mr. Pitroda invented the electronic diary in 1974, mobile wallet in 1996, and set up C-SAM Inc., acquired by Master Card in 2013. He was Chairman of the National Knowledge Commission, National Innovation Council, Smart Grid Task, railway modernization, and public broadcast reforms.

Mr. Pitroda holds over 100 patents, 20 Hon. Ph.D.s, and has published and lectured extensively globally. He is a member of the American Academy of Engineers. His biography was published in 1992, autobiography Dreaming Big in 2015, and Redesign the World in 2021.

INDIGI-X is pleased to invite the public to attend the final presentations of the third cohort of its virtual exchange program.

This group of 24 Indigenous Professionals from across Aotearoa and Turtle Island has been working together for six weeks on a series of topics that are important to them and their communities.

By connecting virtually, engaging in ceremony, networking and working together on common themes, this collective of community builders and change-makers has come up with interesting insights in the areas of building relationships, fostering creativity, and empowering women and Indigenous youth.

Agenda:

Canada: 31 March 2022 18:00 - 20:00 ET / 15:00 - 17:30 PT

New Zealand: 1 April 2022, 11:00 - 13:30 NZDT

• Opening Ceremony / Karakia
• Session Introduction
• Ministerial Statements (Canada and New Zealand)
• Presentations from each Group (10 mins each)
• Discussion and Feedback
• Closing Thoughts
• Closing Ceremony / Karakia

INDIGI-X, an institutional partner of APF Canada, welcomes you to join this celebration of what this dynamic group of Māori, First Nation, and Métis leaders was able to accomplish during the exchange.

Want to learn more? INDIGI-X is a global exchange for Indigenous Professionals around the world. Visit www.INDIGI-X.com.

Presented by the Japan International Cooperation Center (JICE), with strong support from leading printing company Toppan Inc. and the Aya Irodori Studio, traditional Japanese tie-dye studio.

Kakehashi participants from Canada and the U.S. are invited to an exclusive visit to an Arimatsu Narumi Shibori workshop in Japan’s Aichi Prefecture producing some of the finest traditional tie-dye crafts in the world. Japan’s shibori tie-dye tradition dates as far back as the 8th century. Refined over centuries, the 300-year-old techniques and elegant designs of Arimatsu Narumi Shibori are recognized for their distinctive shading, texture and patterns. 

The event includes a virtual studio tour plus a presentation and workshop demonstration led by celebrated Japanese tie-dye artist Osuka Aya. There will also be opportunities for Q&A, networking, and group discussion.
 

The Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada invites you to the official launch of our five-part research report series, Translating Asia Pacific COVID-19 Experiences for Canada, with funding support from the Public Health Agency of Canada.

To better prepare for health crises in the future, it is crucial that Canada evaluate its own COVID-19 challenges and shortcomings and that it learns from the experience, knowledge, and preparation in pandemic responses from other countries.

This virtual public event, Pandemic X: Are We Ready for ‘The Next Time’?, draws from the findings of our comprehensive research project examining the diverse COVID-19 experiences of multiple economies in the Asia Pacific and features researchers and special expert guests in public health, policy, and pandemic responses.

Our APF Canada and partner analysts provide policy recommendations for Canada through this project, including valuable structural recommendations to help the federal government reform Canada’s pandemic preparedness and build comprehensive response strategies to health crises in the future.

Join us for an overview of our project findings and a moderated discussion on Canada’s level of preparedness for ‘the next time.’

Guest Speakers:

• Dr. Kelley Lee, PhD
  Professor of Health Sciences, Canada Research Chair Tier 1, Simon Fraser University
• Dr. Peter Berman, PhD
  Professor, School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia

Kakehashi participants from Canada, the US and Japan are invited to an exclusive glimpse into one of Japan’s most fascinating and unique traditional festivals—Toyama Prefecture’s Owara Kaze no Bon. With almost 400 years of history, the Owara draws more than 200,000 people to the town of Yatsuo every September who come to enjoy a unique musical and dance experience unavailable anywhere else in Japan. 

The event is in English with live interpretation and subtitles, and will include:

• Presentations on the festival’s background, music, costumes, and dances
• An interactive dance workshop
• Live music and dance performances
• Q&A, networking, and group discussion
• Remarks from Deputy Head of Mission & Minister Furuya Tokuro, Embassy of Japan to Canada, and Mr. Fujii Hirohisa, Mayor of Toyama City, Japan

Hear from four of our fellow Kakehashi alums who are currently living in Japan — whether they be ‘old-hands’ who have been there for years or ‘newbies’ who arrived after the pandemic — and learn about their stories of making the move, adjusting to a new culture, and their lives in Japan today. The event will feature presentations and moderated discussions, as well as Q&A and opportunities for breakout discussions and networking. Opening remarks will be delivered by H.E. Kawamura Yasuhisa, Ambassador of Japan to Canada. All Canadian and Japanese Kakehashi participants are welcome.

The Indo-Pacific is a critical region, containing over half the world’s population, almost two-thirds of global GDP, and seven of the world’s largest military forces. In recent years, major actors have formulated Indo-Pacific strategies to serve as guiding principles for their regional engagement.

From an early stage, Japan has articulated a vision for a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific,” emphasizing principles such as the rule of law, quality infrastructure investment, and maritime stability. In September 2021, the European Union adopted a strategy for cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, emphasizing stepped up engagement in priority areas such as sustainable and inclusive prosperity and a green transition. In the United States, the Biden administration released its Indo-Pacific Strategy in February 2022, emphasizing both the importance of the region and mounting challenges, particularly China’s pursuit of a “sphere of influence” as it seeks “to become the world’s most influential power.” Canada is also actively developing an Indo-Pacific strategy to diversify trade and investment, strengthen security cooperation, and boost international assistance.

How should we understand these Indo-Pacific strategies? Are the strategies likely to contribute to tangible changes in foreign policy? What are the common themes, and what are significant areas of disagreement or divergence? How can global institutions complement the national strategies to facilitate cooperation and reduce systemic risks? What are the implications of the war in Ukraine for the Indo-Pacific? A panel of distinguished experts from Canada, Japan, the United States, and Europe will share their insights.

The Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy is hosting this event.

Our APF Canada Distinguished Fellows Jonathan T. Fried, Deanna Horton, and Yves Tiberghien will be speaking at this partner event. 

On behalf of the Japan International Cooperation Center (JICE), APF Canada is pleased to invite all Kakehashi Project alumni and participants to explore the regional charms of Japan over three evenings with a three-city virtual tour. Third stop: Nagoya, where participants will virtually stroll through the bustling streets of the Osu shopping district and take in the Osu Kannon Buddhist temple. 

On behalf of the Japan International Cooperation Center (JICE), APF Canada is pleased to invite all Kakehashi Project alumni and participants to explore the regional charms of Japan over three evenings with a three-city virtual tour. Second stop: Japan's second largest city, Osaka, where participants will enjoy the sights and sounds of Japan’s second largest city—from gourmet delicacies to pop culture to its historic castle. 

Kakehashi Project Japanese Language Learner cohort nominees are invited to join a virtual language and culture exchange event, which will provide opportunities to practice Japanese, and learn more about Japanese culture and what is going on in Japan today. The event will be held mainly in Japanese and will provide conversation and networking opportunities for participants from Canada and the US, and students from Kanagawa University and the Inter-University Centre for Japanese Language Studies in Japan.

In honour and celebration of this year’s International Women’s Day, Casa Foundation for International Development and its partners will host Women Inspire 2022: A Celebration of Women in Business and Leadership. The forum will focus on women who have advanced Canada’s trade and economic development landscape and also celebrate inspiring women in Canada who have distinguished themselves in business and trade.

The forum includes a business roundtable, a case study of leading women pioneers in their respective trades, keynote opening statements from senior government officials, as well as speakers from various industry sectors who have impacted lives or who have helped in fast-tracking innovation and growth in the trade, education, and entrepreneurship sectors.

The forum is expected to welcome more than 600 women-owned businesses and startups. The event also targets women in technology, entrepreneurs, practitioners, women leaders, influencers, and startups. Additional participants include creative collaborators, partners, youth in established businesses and those looking to start a product or service, and pioneers with women businesses.

Our Vice President, Toronto Office, Christine Nakamura is a guest speaker.

On behalf of the Japan International Cooperation Center (JICE), APF Canada is pleased to invite all Kakehashi Project alumni and participants to explore the regional charms of Japan over three evenings with a three-city virtual tour. First stop: the northern-most prefecture on Japan's main island, Aomori, where participants will get a glimpse of mindful Japan with a visit to a Buddhist temple and Zen meditation experience. 

Students from Moscrop Secondary School in Burnaby and Miyazaki Gakuen in Japan will meet virtually to learn about each others' lives and cultures through presentations and discussion.  

APF Canada, in partnership with the Canada-India Business Council (C-IBC) and with strong support from the public and private sectors, will lead the First Canadian Women-only Virtual Business Mission to India, March 7-8, 2022.

This mission is themed ‘Growing Smarter’ and will focus on education, green solutions, agri-tech, and health tech to spotlight the innovations Canadian women entrepreneurs bring to these sectors. The fifth mission in APF Canada’s Women’s Business Missions to Asia series, this unique event will bring together Canadian women entrepreneurs with businesses in India to promote gender inclusive trade, support SMEs, and catalyze international partnerships between Canadian companies and foreign markets.

Le 7 et 8 mars, 2022, la FAP Canada, en partenariat avec le Conseil de commerce Canada-Inde (C-IBC) et avec un fort appui des secteurs public et privé, dirigera la Première mission commerciale virtuelle exclusivement féminine du Canada en Inde. 

Cette mission aura pour thème « croître plus intelligemment » et sera axée sur l’éducation, les solutions écologiques, les technologies agricoles et les technologies du domaine de la santé, pour mettre en valeur les innovations qu’apportent les entrepreneures canadiennes dans ces secteurs. Cinquième étape de la série de missions commerciales exclusivement féminines en Asie de FAP Canada, cet événement sans pareil réunira des entrepreneures canadiennes et des entreprises établies en Inde dans le but de favoriser le commerce inclusif pour les femmes, de soutenir les petites et moyennes entreprises et de catalyser la formation de partenariats internationaux entre les entreprises canadiennes et les marchés étrangers.  

Join us virtually to explore a new book by Ambassador Jorge Heine, Research Professor at the Frederick S. Pardee School of Global Studies at Boston University, titled El No Alineamiento Activo y América Latina: una doctrina para el nuevo siglo (Active Non-Alignment and Latin America: A Doctrine for the New Century). The discussants will address the topic from American and Canadian interests and potential reactions.

Welcome Remarks: Clara Renault, Student, Master of Public Policy and Global Affairs

Speaker: Ambassador Jorge Heine, Research Professor, Pardee School of Global Studies, Boston University

Discussant: Jeff Reeves, Vice-President, Research & Strategy, Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada

Discussant: Paul Evans, Professor, School of Public Policy and Global Affairs

Moderator: Grace Jaramillo, Sessional Instructor, School of Public Policy and Global Affairs

Speaker Bios: Ambassador Jorge Heine is a research professor at the Pardee School of Global Studies, Boston University, and a Wilson Center global fellow. He was previously ambassador of Chile to China ( 2014-2017), to India ( 2003-2007) and to South Africa ( 1994-1999), and a Cabinet minister in the Chilean government. A past VP of the International Political Science Association (IPSA), he was CIGI Professor of Global Governance at Wilfrid Laurier University ( 2007-2017), and a distinguished fellow at the Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI). He has held visiting appointments at the universities of Konstanz, Oxford, Paris and Tsinghua, and has published 16 books, including The Oxford Handbook of Modern Diplomacy  (OUP, 2013,2015).

The book, Active Non-Alignment and Latin America: A Doctrine for the New Century, edited by Carlos Fortin, Jorge Heine and Carlos Ominami , and published by Catalonia in Santiago, Chile, puts forth an ambitious proposal to deal with Latin America’s current crisis–the deepest in 120 years, according to the UN’s ECLAC. It takes a page from the original non-alignment doctrine, but adapts it to the new century, and what is emerging as a post-Western world.  It argues that, rather than letting themselves be pressured to side either with Washington or with Beijing in a nascent Second Cold War, Latin American countries should focus on their own interests. To break out of the region’s current diplomatic eclipse , the strengthening of regional entities, a renewed commitment to multilateralism, diplomatic coordination on matters of global economic governance, and a reorientation of foreign policies, are some of the urgent steps needed. Contributors to the book include leading Latin American IR specialists and Latin Americanists from seven countries, as well as five former foreign ministers ( from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Mexico and Peru). At a time of major political changes in Latin America, the book has already triggered quite a debate, with launches in Santiago, Sao Paulo, Buenos Aires and Lima, and write-ups in journals as different as Pensamiento Propio and Foreign Policy.

Grace Jaramillo teaches Public Policy at the UBC Master of Public Policy and Global Affairs program at the School of Public Policy and Global Affairs and currently member of the Board of Directors of the Canadian Latin American Studies Association, CALACS. She earned her PhD from Queen’s University in 2016. Immediately after, she won a SSHRC Postdoctoral Fellowship to study institutional spillovers of Free Trade Agreements in the Americas, spending the first year at the Balsillie School of International Affairs at University of Waterloo, and then moving this research project to UBC to complete her research studying the CPTPP negotiations. Before moving to Canada, she was an accomplished International Relations expert and head of the Department of International Relations at FLACSO-Ecuador.

Paul Evans is Professor and HSBC Chair in Asian Research at the School of Public Policy and Global Affairs at the University of British Columbia.  His research and teaching focus on Asian and trans-Pacific international relations and Canadian policy choices in the Asia Pacific region.

Dr. Jeff Reeves is Vice-President, Research and Strategy for the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada. Prior to joining APF Canada, Dr. Reeves was the Director of Asian Studies at the United States Army War College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. Dr. Reeves has over 15 years direct experience living and working in Asia, including as an Associate Professor with the Daniel K. Inouye Asia Pacific Center for Security Studies in the United States, as a Research Fellow with Griffith University in Australia, and as a University Instructor at Peking University in the People’s Republic of China. Dr. Reeves has worked with the United Nations Development Program and World Wildlife Foundation in Beijing and as a Research Assistant with the London School of Economics and Political Science’s (LSE) Asia Research Centre in London. Dr. Reeves served in the United States Peace Corps from 2001 to 2003 in Khovd, Mongolia.

Co-hosted by: The Institute of Asian Research, the School of Public Policy and Global Affairs, UBC; Canadian Association for Latin American and Caribbean Studies (CALACS).

The Japan International Cooperation Center (JICE) and APF Canada, with strong support from Japan’s leading printing company Toppan Inc. and the Takahashi Kobo Studio, a producer of ukiyo-e for over 160 years, invite Kakehashi Project alumni to an exclusive online event about one of Japan’s most spectacular traditional arts: ukiyo-e woodblock prints.

Flourishing in the 17th through the 19th centuries, ukiyo-e provides images that are not only decorative, but also chronicle the trends, tastes, and events of this critical period of Japanese history. Ukiyo-e remains a vital art form and this event will feature a master artist who will provide a talk, answer participant questions, and a give a virtual tour of an active ukiyo-e studio.  

On March 11, 2011, the most powerful earthquake recorded in Japan hit the Tohoku region. The devastating magnitude 9.1 earthquake and subsequent tsunami caused massive damage and tragically took over 19,000 lives.

In the past 11 years, much has been done to try to rebuild towns, industries, and lives. The Japan International Cooperation Center (JICE) and APF Canada invite Kakehashi alumni to an exclusive online event featuring conversations with 3.11 survivors from Minamisanriku, one of the region’s hardest hit towns.

The event will also feature alumni networking opportunities.