Category: Global Affairs

Canada’s defeat in bid for UN Security Council seat also reveals Ottawa’s lingering problems at home

Originally published in the Hill Times After Canada lost its bid for the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) seat on June 17, experts quickly blamed Ottawa’s lack of global engagement as the key reason. But Canada’s defeat tells of more than just its foreign policy failure. On many domestic issues, such as the environment and Indigenous rights, Canada’s… Read More Canada’s defeat in bid for UN Security Council seat also reveals Ottawa’s lingering problems at home

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Canada must honour its commitment to protecting refugees

Originally published on the Hamilton Spectator, co-authored with Elmer Dysalvador. Canada is considered a global leader in refugee protection. As a signatory of the 1951 Refugee Convention, Canada has the obligation to respect the rights of refugees and not turn them away from its border. Since Justin Trudeau became prime minister in October 2015, Canada… Read More Canada must honour its commitment to protecting refugees

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World Refugee Day 2020: Is It Time for a New Refugee Convention?

Originally published on The Globe Post. Op-ed written by Luthfi Dhofier, MPPGA and Dr. Ross Michael Pink. World Refugee Day is celebrated annually on June 20 to raise awareness of the challenges that refugees face around the world. There are some 26 million refugees worldwide, roughly the same as the population of Australia. Studies found that… Read More World Refugee Day 2020: Is It Time for a New Refugee Convention?

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How Indonesia Lost the Battle Against the Coronavirus

Image courtesy of Marketwatch Indonesian President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s response to the pandemic or lack thereof has sparked criticisms within and beyond Indonesia. The hashtag #lockdownordie is currently trending in Indonesia’s social media as Jokowi continues to resist experts’ advice to implement a nationwide lockdown. As of April 28, The Indonesian government has reported more… Read More How Indonesia Lost the Battle Against the Coronavirus

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COVID-19: What Indonesia Can Learn From South Korea and Taiwan

Originally published on Fair Observer For Indonesia, a total lockdown could have cataclysmic social and economic consequences. A different approach is needed. As the coronavirus spreads fast in Indonesia, experts believe that the country will become Asia’s new epicenter. President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has been criticized for not implementing a nationwide lockdown. Yet such measures would not… Read More COVID-19: What Indonesia Can Learn From South Korea and Taiwan

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Why Canada Should Help Developing Countries Fighting to Flatten the Curve

Originally published on the Hamilton Spectator The spread of COVID-19 in developing countries will have catastrophic global consequences. Ottawa’s current $50-million commitment to help developing countries deal with the pandemic is a step in the right direction. However, Canada must do more to assist developing countries to contain the spread of the virus. To date, advanced economies… Read More Why Canada Should Help Developing Countries Fighting to Flatten the Curve

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Why Indonesia Needs More Than Just A Tougher Anti Terror Law

In the wake of terror attacks that rocked the city of Surabaya in May 2018, Indonesia’s parliament has unanimously passed an amendment to its antiterrorism law. Initially proposed in 2016, the law was put on hold after the parliament members could not agree on what constitutes terrorism. President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) had threatened to issue… Read More Why Indonesia Needs More Than Just A Tougher Anti Terror Law

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Reflection on Fukuyama: the Unravelling of the Liberal World Order and the Rise of Populism

On January 24, 2018, Francis Fukuyama, a world-renowned political scientist, spoke to some few hundred students, faculty and public audience at the University of British Columbia (UBC). The talk was part of the Liu Institute’s Phil Lind Initiative. I had the opportunity to attend the event and here are highlights from the event. What is… Read More Reflection on Fukuyama: the Unravelling of the Liberal World Order and the Rise of Populism

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The Underwhelming Canada-Indonesia Relationship

(Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met today with Indonesian President Joko Widodo on the margins of the G20 Summit in Turkey – source: Prime Minister’s Office of Canada archive) Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s visit to China is an important foreign policy move, but there is one country in the Asia Pacific that Canada should not ignore.… Read More The Underwhelming Canada-Indonesia Relationship

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