The United Nations in the Modern World: Blessing or Burden

  • October 02, 2017
  • 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
  • Aurora Cultural Centre

Adam Chapnick

Professor Chapnick is a professor of defence studies at the Royal Military College of Canada (RMC).  He also serves as the deputy director of education at the Canadian Forces College.

Professor Chapnick holds a BA (Honours) from Trent University, an MA in International Affairs from Carleton University, and a PhD in History from the University of Toronto. He joined the RMC in 2006 and currently teaches courses in Canadian government and strategic decision-making, critical thinking and writing, and Canadian international policy. 

Professor Chapnick is the author or editor of seven books, including The Middle Power Project: Canada and the Founding of the United Nations (2005), and The Harper Era in Canadian Foreign Policy (2016). 

He is also a regular commentator in the public realm. In 2013, he wrote a weekly on-line column on national politics for the Toronto Star. He has appeared as a foreign policy expert on CTV and CBC radio, and has testified as an expert witness before the Standing Senate Committee on National Security and Defence. He is currently writing a book about Canada and the United Nations Security Council.


The United Nations in the Modern World: Blessing or Burden

Ever since the United Nations was founded in 1945, critics have deemed it a disappointment.  Scandals, peacekeeping failures, and humanitarian disasters have all persisted under the UN's watch.  But there have also been successes: global deaths from diseases have fallen by almost 50% since 2005; tuberculosis infections are down 25%; polio has almost been eradicated.  This lecture considers the place of the United Nations in the modern world from a Canadian perspective.  It takes into consideration past, present, and future challenges as well as Canada's place in the world's most significant international organization.  


This event is part of the Fall 2017 Speaker series.

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