Mongolian foreign minister presenting the Friendship Medal in Ottawa
SPPGA Prof. Julian Dierkes was awarded the prestigious Mongolian Friendship Medal on November 27th, 2023. Described as Mongolia’s “highest state honor” this award commemorates the long-standing academic and policy-engaged research on Mongolia which Prof. Dierkes has undertaken over the past decade.
His prolific scholarship includes an edited volume on Change in Democratic Mongolia as well as an array of book chapters, journal articles, and public-facing newsletters which engage with democratic growth, social change, and mining related issues in the country. This research is also deeply connected to his work as a practitioner as part of which he carries out assessments of risks to investments and democracy created by contemporary political events. Prof. Dierkes continues to regularly author posts on his Mongolia Focus blog, including the “Mongolia Scorecard” which uses global indices to offer a comparative perspective on socio-economic changes in the country. Mongolia Focus has established itself as a highly respected source of analysis for issues relating to contemporary Mongolia and has garnered over half of a million page views in the twelve years it has been running.
The Friendship Medal was presented by Mongolian foreign minister B Battsetseg in Ottawa as part of a ceremony celebrating the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Canada and Mongolia. This ceremony also included the exciting announcement that the bilateral relationship between the two countries has been upgraded to a “Comprehensive Partnership”. The reception was attended by several distinguished diplomats and ambassadors. Moreover, many of Prof. Dierkes’ former students were also in attendance to mark this commendable achievement. Reflecting on the event, Professor Dierkes wrote: “I was actually quite touched and felt that recognition for ‘friendship’ suits my relationship with Mongolia and Mongolians very well.”
Congratulations, Julian!
Read Julian Dierkes’ post about the event on his blog, Mongolia Focus.
Learn more about his research and teaching here
