Young Canadians prepare to take on world Delegates tackle global issues Canada seen as 'idea incubator' MARY GORDON SPECIAL TO THE TORONTO STAR Think young Canadians don't care about public policy? You might think again if you'd been hanging around the Toronto offices of the McKinsey & Company consulting firm last weekend, when about 50 young people were dreaming up visions for Canada's role in the world. The Canada25 event was part of Canada And The World: Moving From Middle To Model Power — a program of round-table discussions that has drawn hundreds of young Canadians age 20 to 35 in cities across Canada and abroad. "We certainly care if there's a threat to our trading relationship with the U.S.," Jonathan Bays, 33, told a subgroup of delegates examining Canada's approach to security. "But do we care if Australia and New Zealand are engaging in reciprocal trade practices that are likely to undermine the global consensus on fair trade?" In another discussion down the hall, Sev Palvetzian, 28, thought that Canada ("a place with so many great things going on, health care, unbelievable education, the most open and diverse society on Earth") could be an "idea incubator." Beside her, Nicole Dobinson, 27, who has worked for the United Nations Energy Program in Mexico City, said understanding other countries' cultures helps improve relationships at negotiating tables. Canada25 is a non-profit, non-partisan organization that aims at engaging young Canadians in the country's public policy debates. Founded in 2000 by six university graduates, it now has more than 1,000 members, most of whom have experience ranging from the financial sector to public policy, international relations and non-governmental organizations. Many delegates to last weekend's session, who were selected based on applications in which they wrote their vision of Canada's role in the world, have studied politics or international relations. In March, 25 delegates will meet in Gatineau, Que., and produce a report that will be read in decision-making circles, where Canada25's ideas have been welcomed. Author and Columbia University urban planner Richard Florida lauded "Building Up," the group's report on cities. Another report, "A New Magnetic North," was used in the writing of the 2002 throne speech. Largely corporately financed with a budget of around $500,000 (McKinsey is a major partner, as is RBC Financial Group), Canada25 has worked with the Privy Council Office and Industry Canada. This new project is already attracting foreign policy thinkers. On Saturday afternoon, former foreign affairs minister Lloyd Axworthy, a Liberal leadership convention tag around his neck, dropped in for a surprise visit. Pulling up a chair at the security round table, he listened as delegates categorized a list of threats on a white board. Suggested Axworthy: "You might want to look at it in terms of human security versus national security. That's a pretty classic debate that's going on right now." During a coffee break, Axworthy spoke about the complexity of nation-states handling global problems and cited the 1997 Indonesia jungle fires that sent thousands of people in neighbouring countries to hospital. "How do you deal with an action in one state that has a huge impact on people's health thousands of miles away? Who's responsible for dealing with it? At what point does the responsibility to protect principle apply to, say, something like the Congo? "At what point do we, as members of the international community, move in?" On Friday night, former external affairs minister Barbara McDougall told the group that Canada's foreign policy must take its relationship with the United States into account. "I have sat in meetings with heads of government and watched Canadian leaders play not just an interpretive role in terms of language, but of policy, between France and the U.S.," she said. "I've seen it happen between Germany and the U.S ... because we stand tall in our own right and we put forward our positions. We deal with the U.S. as partners and we manage the relationship well." Foreign Affairs Minister Bill Graham, who has been known to address groups of young people, was extended an informal invitation but did not attend. Over the last decade, many Canadians have criticized the Jean Chrétien government for lacking leadership — citing everything from its decision not to join the war on Iraq to its role in the decline of Canada's military and the foreign-aid cuts of the mid-1990s. There is also a sense that Canada has slipped from its former status as a peacekeeping nation. "Bangladesh now sends more peacekeepers into the field than Canada," Palvetzian said in a group discussion. "That's absurd." Canada's next prime minister, Paul Martin, has indicated in a general way that Canada's foreign policy could soon change. In a document released this month, he mentions the creation of a cabinet committee on U.S. relations, as well as the need for Canada to have an independent voice and to be a strong global influence. The Canada25 delegates came up with hundreds of ideas on Canada's role in the world, all of which were scrawled on large sheets of paper and presented in a Sunday wrap-up discussion. Many spoke about the need for Canada to re-examine its domestic policy in order to lend weight to its efforts abroad. "Internationally, Canada's reputation on environmental issues has faltered in the last 10 years or so," said Chad Park, 28. "If we can become really good at many things, such as developing new technologies, then we're in a much more credible position." One subgroup suggested an institute for civil service reform, so Canada could better pass effective practices on to other nations — particularly emerging democracies, an arena in which many delegates see Canada as a key player. Several delegates mentioned the need for greater accountability in international issues. One recommendation called for a federally appointed ombud to investigate global concerns raised by citizens. Another suggested a permanent commission on global affairs. Surprisingly, few delegates mentioned the United States. "It's not that people don't realize the relationship exists," noted Nisha Shah, 25. "But they really want our foreign policy efforts to be Canada-based."