Norman Paterson School of International Affairs at Carleton University

🥬 A lettuce gift worth remembering!

Last week, Dr. Meredith Lilly hosted a reception for students in her CUSMA course, alongside invited guests from the trade and investment world — including:

• Allison Gifford, Clear Strategy
• Adriana Vega (NPSIA alum), Canadian Venture Capital Association
• David Hutchinson, DG of Trade Strategy, Global Affairs Canada
• Dan Thomas, Australian High Commission

As a thank-you, students presented Dr. Lilly with a head of lettuce 🥬 — a nod to a real-world trade example she uses in class to explore Canadian supply chains and international trade practices. 👏

The afternoon was a fantastic opportunity for students to network with professionals and reflect on what they’ve learned in the course.

📰 Faculty Feature
NPSIA professor Dr. Michael Manulak recently published an op-ed in The Hill Times exploring the renewed relevance of the Commonwealth in Canadian foreign policy. 🇨🇦🌍

In “Rediscovering the Commonwealth,” Dr. Manulak highlights how this longstanding multilateral forum can support Canada’s diplomatic goals in an era of shifting global power and deepening polarization.

👀 Read the piece here: https://www.hilltimes.com/story/2025/04/10/rediscovering-the-commonwealth-foreign-policy/456332/
🖊️ Dr. Manulak teaches and researches international organizations, diplomacy, and Canadian foreign policy here at NPSIA.

We were thrilled to welcome Dr. Theresa Tam to our seminar room yesterday! Her inspiring talk left our NPSIA students buzzing with ideas about public health and global challenges. Thank you, Dr. Tam, for sharing your insights and making the day so memorable.

🌍📢 Trade, Security & the Future! Dr. Meredith Lilly spills the tea on Canada's evolving trade game on the Counterfactual podcast.

💡 Did you know? Trade isn’t just about economics—it’s about security, tech, and sustainability too!

🎧 Listen now - link in bio

Is Canada spending enough on defense?

With shifting U.S. foreign policy, Canada faces pressure to boost military spending. NPSIA’s Dr. Philippe Lagassé dives into the issue in The Atlantic.

📖 Read now: Link in bio

🌟 Announcing Our NPSIA Soirée Keynote Speaker: Senator Paulette Senior! 🌟

We’re honored to welcome Senator Paulette Senior as this year’s keynote speaker at the NPSIA Soirée on April 5 at the Canadian Museum of Nature.

Senator Senior has spent over three decades championing gender equality, poverty reduction, and social justice. As the former CEO of the Canadian Women’s Foundation and YWCA Canada, and a G7 Gender Equality Advisory Council member, she has shaped policies and programs that have positively impacted communities across Canada.

This elegant evening will be a chance for NPSIA MA students to connect, celebrate, and be inspired by one of Canada’s most influential leaders. We can’t wait!
There are still a few tix available: https://tr.ee/3DqZ1P

📅 Date: Saturday, April 5
📍 Location: Canadian Museum of Nature

What’s next for Canada-U.S. defense ties?

With a federal election underway and an eventful 2nd Trump presidency underway, what will happen to NORAD, NATO, and Canada’s defense commitments?
NPSIA’s Prof. Philippe Lagassé—a go-to expert in the media on parliamentary affairs—breaks it down in his latest Globe & Mail op-ed.

🔗 Read the full article: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/article-can-canada-us-defence-ties-survive-trump/

📢 Congratulations, Francis Obeso! 🎉

NPSIA’s own Francis Obeso (2nd Yr MA) has been named Graduate Co-op Student of the Year for his outstanding work at Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC).

Francis played a key role in modernizing Canada’s benefits delivery, improving risk management strategies, and helping transition a major government program to full-time public service oversight. His impact was so significant that his employer is now committed to hiring more Carleton co-op students!

👏 Join us in celebrating Francis and his incredible achievement! Read the profile at the link in our bio!

🎖️ Major Honour for Prof. Phil Lagassé! 🎖️

We’re proud to share that Prof. Phil Lagassé has been awarded the Canadian Forces Medallion for Distinguished Service, one of the highest honours granted by the Canadian Armed Forces!

His research in defence policy, military procurement, and parliamentary oversight has shaped key policy discussions in Canada, helping to inform decisions on national security. As a professor at NPSIA and the William and Jeanie Barton Chair in International Affairs, his work continues to influence and inspire.

👏 Join us in congratulating Prof. Lagassé on this incredible achievement!

🌍💡 Empowering Women, Advancing Sustainability 💡🌍

Did you know that even small financial incentives in climate finance can create big opportunities for women in renewable energy?

Dr. Yiagadeesen (Teddy) Samy co-authored an article showing how reducing loan interest rates can increase women’s employment in the construction phase of renewable energy projects. A powerful step toward gender equality & a greener future!

📖 Read more at https://tr.ee/YKEuwj

💬 What policies do you think can drive more women’s participation in green jobs?

NPSIA welcomed His Excellency Daniel Tumpal S.
Simanjuntak, Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia for the Ambassadors Speaker Series last night!