Multilateralism — Canada’s role in the world

Part of the series Pluralism & Global Citizenship — valuing & creating value from difference in our local and global communities.

Join Jean Charest and Dru Marshall

When leaders regard difference as an asset rather than a threat, they reveal the opportunity to learn from one another and enrich our lives and communities with new perspectives and ideas.

Former Premier of Quebec and recognized multilateralist Jean Charest joins Provost and Vice-President (Academic) Dru Marshall to explore the power and importance of embracing pluralism in large organizations in order to secure peace and prosperity for future generations.

Watch the recording

About the speakers

Jean Charest  

As Deputy Prime Minister of Canada and Premier of Québec, Jean Charest is one of Canada’s best known political figures. His government initiated an unprecedented labour mobility agreement between France and Québec and was best known for a major initiative for the sustainable development of Northern Québec called “Plan Nord”. He is notably the initiator of the negotiation for the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement (CETA).  He is today a Partner at Canadian law firm McCarthy Tétrault.  

Dr. Dru Marshall

As UCalgary’s Provost and Vice-President (Academic) since 2011, Dr. Dru Marshall serves a dual role as the Chief Operating Officer and Chief Academic Officer. UCalgary’s Indigenous Strategy, Mental Health Strategy, Global Engagement Plan and focus on EDI are hallmarks of her tenure at UCalgary.  Named one of Canada’s most Influential Women in Sport and Physical Activity and as a WXN TOP 100 Most Powerful Women in Canada, she holds a BPE with distinction from the University of Manitoba, and an MSc and PhD in Exercise Physiology from the University of Alberta. 

About the moderators

Deborah Yedlin  

Community leader and Calgary journalist Deborah Yedlin was elected the 14th chancellor of the University of Calgary, effective July 1, 2018. She has been observing, commenting and writing about business and politics for more than two decades, as a journalist for the Financial Post, Globe and Mail and Calgary Herald. In addition to her writing, she has been a regular commentator for CBC Radio and Television, and CTV since 1996. 

Dr. Aleem Bharwani, MD  

Dr. Aleem Bharwani is a physician, Clinical Associate Professor, and Director of Public Policy and Partnerships for the Indigenous, Local, and Global Health Office in the Cumming School of Medicine and O'Brien Institute for Public Health. He has been recognized nationally and internationally for his leadership and education. He chairs the UCalgary Pluralism Initiative's Research, Social Innovation, and Engagement Committee and curated the UCalgary Pluralism and Global Citizenship webinar series. He is a graduate of the Harvard Kennedy School of Government, and an active community citizen serving on a variety of community and corporate boards. Follow @AleemBharwani on Twitter. 


Pluralism & Global Citizenship webinar series

Valuing and creating value from difference in our local and global communities

The University of Calgary is proud to present the Pluralism and Global Citizenship webinar series. Co-hosted by University of Calgary Chancellor, Deborah Yedlin and Dr. Aleem Bharwani, Director for Public Policy and Strategic Partnerships at the Cumming School of Medicine, the series will explore the many dimensions of pluralism: the active process of inclusion – recognizing, respecting and valuing difference.

Register for our first webinar on Oct. 27 to receive an invitation for all series events.  

  • Oct. 27: Multilateralism – Canada’s role in the world 
    Guests: Jean Charest, former Premier of Quebec and recognized multilateralist; and Dru Marshall, Provost and Vice-President (Academic)
  • Nov. 10: Integrative Thinking in Business
    Guests: Roger Martin, former Dean of the Rotman School of Business; and Dr. Justin Weinhardt of the Haskayne School of Business
  • Dec. 1: Nurturing Empathy in Children
    Guests: Mary Gordon, Canadian educator, social entrepreneur, child advocate and parenting expert; and Dr. Diane Gereluk, Dean of the Werklund School of Education
  • Feb. 9: Truth vs Civility Online: Fact, Fiction, and Funny
    Guests: Tim Caufield, Canada Research Chair in Health Law and Policy, Professor in the Faculty of Law and the School of Public Health and Research Director of the Health Law Institute at the University of Alberta; Andrew Phung award-winning actor, improv comedian, emcee, and writer from Calgary.
  • April 13: The Power of Stories To Shape a COVID Recovery
    Guests: Meredith Preston McGhie, Secretary General, Global Centre for Pluralism; and Dr. Malinda Smith, Professor and Vice Provost (Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion)

Our partners

UCalgary’s Pluralism & Global Citizenship webinar series is presented with support from the Global Centre for Pluralism.