Since completing the MPPGA program in 2019, Luthfi Dhofier founded Meridian Gate Advisory, a strategy firm focused on advancing trade and investment between Canada and Southeast Asia. Prior to that, he worked across both federal and provincial governments as well as a Toronto-based policy think tank. He currently serves as President of the Canadian International Council (CIC) Vancouver and as a board member of the Canada–Indonesia Chamber of Commerce. Additionally, he has co-authored and edited two books that examine the intersections of climate change, human security, and human rights.
How MPPGA Shaped His Career
“Beyond its strong practical training, the MPPGA program’s interdisciplinary foundation profoundly shaped how I approach complex problems,” Dhofier reflects. “It trained me to think in systems, connecting insights across economics, politics, and security, and to design solutions that respond to global challenges like climate change, trade, and emerging technologies.”
“The MPPGA instilled in me the discipline to approach every issue with structured, solutions-based thinking. That mindset—seeing interconnections, rather than silos—continues to guide both my professional and scholarly work.”
Reframing Climate Through Human Security
What inspired him to co-author Understanding Human Security and Climate Change? “Climate change is often analyzed through economic, environmental, or national security lenses. Yet, these perspectives alone overlook the lived realities of the people most affected. For example, the economic framework tends to reduce climate change as a ‘market failure’ issue, while the environmental framework often views climate change as a pure ecological problem. The human security framework places individuals at the center, offering a holistic way to understand and address the human consequences of a changing climate.”
“I hope to broaden how we understand climate change, especially through the experiences of marginalized communities: racialized groups, Indigenous peoples, women, children, and seniors. My goal is to help reframe climate discourse around justice, dignity, and inclusion.”
Leading the Canadian International Council, Vancouver
“The CIC is Canada’s oldest foreign policy think tank, dating back to 1928. In Vancouver, we’ve revitalized our chapter by hosting federal ministers, senior military leaders, and foreign diplomats,” Dhofier explains. “My goal is to make global affairs more accessible to communities in Greater Vancouver and to cultivate a vibrant network of thinkers, practitioners, and citizens engaged with international issues that shape our everyday lives.”
Climate Policy and International Affairs
On how these fields influence each other: “Climate stability is a global public good that underpins both economic and geopolitical security. Effective climate policy requires an understanding of cross-border dynamics, encompassing trade, finance, migration, and technology. The two fields are inseparable in shaping the future of global governance.”
What Motivates Him
“Growing up in Indonesia during the Asian financial crisis and political transition left a deep impression on me. It showed how global forces can profoundly affect local realities. I’ve carried that sense of interconnectedness ever since. As an internationalist, I believe every person deserves a dignified life, regardless of geography, language, or background.”
Looking Ahead
“I’m focused on expanding Meridian Gate Advisory and helping Canadian and Southeast Asian partners build stronger trade and investment bridges. With Canada’s new Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement with Indonesia and ongoing FTA negotiations with ASEAN, this is a pivotal moment. I’m also looking forward to the release of my forthcoming edited volume, The Human Rights of Climate Change, with Palgrave Macmillan.”
Advice for Incoming Students
“Hold on to the conviction that brought you into this field. The work of public policy is demanding, but purpose is your anchor. Don’t let professional success make you forget why you chose to serve in the first place.”
Staying Connected
“I’m deeply grateful to remain part of the MPPGA community. I continue to collaborate with professors like Kai Ostwald and Paul Evans and mentor current students. I hope these connections continue to grow and strengthen our shared commitment to public service and global engagement.”
