The Institute of Asian Research an d 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 Gen eral of Malaysia.
About the Talk:
The Rome St atute of the International Criminal Court\; establishing and mainstreaming freedom from fear and freedom from want\; driving the push for the Anti-Per sonnel 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 th e world stage.
Starting from the late 1980s\, Canada has managed to p unch above its weight in international relations\, building different coali tions in order to advance various agendas. Its status as a middle power hel ped it to establish like-minded groups of countries independently of the Gr eat Powers. Canada’s strength in institutional internationalism has long be en a source of its place in the world order.
This talk will chart Can ada’s success in turning concepts into global norms\, its efforts at buildi ng coalitions\, and its past role as an international powerhouse. It will a lso explore whether the Canada of today would be able to similarly replicat e its previous role\, and what needs to be done for the country to once aga in provide middlepower leadership where it matters most.
Abou t the Speaker:
Dr Shazelina Z. Abidin is a career diplomat with experiences in both the multilateral and bilateral dep artments of Malaysia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Prior to her appointmen t as the High Commissioner of Malaysia to Canada\, Dr Shazelina held the po rtfolio of the South Asia and Central Asia Division at the Ministry (Septem ber 2023 – November 2024)\, handling six Prime Ministerial visits abroad be fore relinquishing the post. Dr Shazelina also served as Director-General o f the Institute of Diplomacy and Foreign Relations (IDFR)\, the training ar m of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Malaysia\, from August 2021 to Septemb er 2023.
Her postings abroad have included Washington D.C (2001 – 200 2) and the UN in New York (2007 – 2011). Dr Shazelina was also Ambassador t o the Republic of Senegal (2018 – 2021)\, and is the only Malaysian thus fa r to be awarded the Ordre du Lion\, at the rank of Commander\, by the Presi dent of Senegal.
As part of her current trip to Canada she has engage d in diplomatic meetings with the Ambassador of Morocco\, the President of the Ottawa Muslim Association\, and other high-profile officials.
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