The Institute of Asian Research and the Centre for Southeast Asia Research are delighted to present “Turning Concepts Into Norms” a talk with Dr. Shazelina Z. Abidin (High Commissioner of Malaysia to Canada). She will share insights from her extensive experience with governance and diplomacy. This event is being generously co-sponsored by the Consulate General of Malaysia.
About the Talk:
The Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court; establishing and mainstreaming freedom from fear and freedom from want; driving the push for the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention; providing the seeds that would eventually turn into the Responsibility to Protect. All of these have one thing in common: all these international actions were largely due to Canada’s efforts on the world stage.
Starting from the late 1980s, Canada has managed to punch above its weight in international relations, building different coalitions in order to advance various agendas. Its status as a middle power helped it to establish like-minded groups of countries independently of the Great Powers. Canada’s strength in institutional internationalism has long been a source of its place in the world order.
This talk will chart Canada’s success in turning concepts into global norms, its efforts at building coalitions, and its past role as an international powerhouse. It will also explore whether the Canada of today would be able to similarly replicate its previous role, and what needs to be done for the country to once again provide middlepower leadership where it matters most.
About the Speaker:
Dr Shazelina Z. Abidin is a career diplomat with experiences in both the multilateral and bilateral departments of Malaysia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Prior to her appointment as the High Commissioner of Malaysia to Canada, Dr Shazelina held the portfolio of the South Asia and Central Asia Division at the Ministry (September 2023 – November 2024), handling six Prime Ministerial visits abroad before relinquishing the post. Dr Shazelina also served as Director-General of the Institute of Diplomacy and Foreign Relations (IDFR), the training arm of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Malaysia, from August 2021 to September 2023.
Her postings abroad have included Washington D.C (2001 – 2002) and the UN in New York (2007 – 2011). Dr Shazelina was also Ambassador to the Republic of Senegal (2018 – 2021), and is the only Malaysian thus far to be awarded the Ordre du Lion, at the rank of Commander, by the President of Senegal.
As part of her current trip to Canada she has engaged in diplomatic meetings with the Ambassador of Morocco, the President of the Ottawa Muslim Association, and other high-profile officials.
