Global Issues

[close] The Canadian International Council (CIC) is Canada’s foreign relations council. It is an independent, member-based council established to strengthen Canada’s role in international affairs. The CIC reflects the ideas and interests of a broad constituency of Canadians who believe that a country’s foreign policy is not an esoteric concern of experts but directly affects the lives and prosperity of its citizens. The CIC uses its deep historical roots, its cross-country network, and its active research program to advance debate on international issues across academic disciplines, policy areas, and economic sectors. The CIC’s digital media platform, OpenCanada.org, is Canada’s hub for international affairs. The CIC’s research program is managed by the national office in Toronto. Its 16 branches across Canada offer CIC members speakers’ programs, study groups, conferences, and seminars. This online book club is an initiative of the Vancouver CIC Branch. It will serve as a creative and informal platform for dialogue on international relations and foreign affairs amoung CIC members. We aim to bring this book club alive by linking discussions and books with author speaker events and by hosting club get-togethers at pubs and cafes to discuss the books and issues face-to-face. It is a collaborative forum for CIC members where critical thought is encouraged and every contribution is valued. We read and discuss one book approximately every month (see the line up in on the bookshelf). The week following, the club moderator/s will provide initial discussion prompts to facilitate the online conversation but topics are of course open to whatever interests readers. Book-specific discussions will be held in the folder with the corresponding author name. If you have any suggestions, comments or non-book specific queries regarding the club, please post in the General Discussion forum. The moderator/s will keep you posted on related events and ongoings around Vancouver. Happy Reading!!

[close] Global Concerns Classroom (GCC) is an innovative global education program that seeks to raise awareness of current international humanitarian issues in U.S. youth and to empower them to take meaningful action. Through dynamic resources, student engagement programs, and professional development for educators, GCC prepares youth to gain the knowledge and skills needed to be globally competent for the 21st century. This reading list is to further the passion and intrigue for students through both fictional and non-fictional literature and engage in discussions about how the readings relate to current global issues. We will be reading one book a month and you are welcome to engage in the book discussion threads as soon as you have finished the book. This group is open to students, teachers, and parents!