Conference - Celebrating Pearson's Nobel Prize

After the ignominy of Harper's performance at the Commonwealth summit, it's nice to look back to the days when Canadians could hold their heads high in international circles.

This announcement of the Pearson conference to be held at U of T in December reminds me of a couple of families I know who immigrated to Canada from Scotland and Northern Ireland specifically because they were impressed by Pearson's role in resolving the Suez crisis.

Liberal Leader Stéphane Dion to Honour Prime Minister Pearson’s Achievements in Foreign Policy

November 26, 2007

OTTAWA – Liberal Leader Stéphane Dion announced today that he will be hosting a full day conference on December 11, 2007 in Toronto to mark the 50th anniversary of former Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson’s Nobel Prize winning achievements in foreign policy.

Entitled “Celebrating Pearson’s Nobel Prize,” the conference will bring together foreign policy experts, academics and politicians, including former Prime Ministers Paul Martin, Jean Chrétien, and John Turner, to discuss Mr. Pearson’s legacy and to examine how and in what areas Canada can lead internationally today.

“I am extremely pleased to be honouring Prime Minister Pearson in this way,” said Mr. Dion. “Sharing ideas on international affairs is a fitting tribute to such a great Canadian. Mr. Pearson’s legacy defined us in the eyes of the world for decades, and in light of the recent lack of Canadian leadership on the international stage, I feel it is more important than ever to reaffirm our proud tradition of peacekeeping and discuss Canada’s role in the world.”

The “Celebrating Pearson’s Nobel Prize” conference will be held at the University of Toronto’s Elizabeth Bader Theatre (Victoria University) and will feature panel discussions, speeches and a film montage of Lester B. Pearson’s career.

As Prime Minister, Minister of External Affairs, High Commissioner for Canada in London, Undersecretary of State at External Affairs at Ottawa, and Ambassador, Lester B. Pearson’s exemplary career of public service assures his place among the most influential Canadians in history. Though we also owe our flag, old age pensions and public healthcare to Mr. Pearson, he will forever be remembered for his contribution to Canadian foreign policy. Following a philosophy of internationalism, he worked tirelessly to secure national support for an active and constructive Canadian participation in world affairs. His role in moderating the Suez Crisis, for which he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1957, is but one of his remarkable contributions to peace throughout the world.

“Fifty years ago, the Nobel Foundation thought it fitting to bestow the Nobel Peace Prize on a great Canadian,” concluded Mr. Dion. “On December 11, we will be inspired by these accomplishments as international experts join us to discuss the role Canada can and must play on the international stage in the interest of peace and stability. I look forward to lively and passionate discussions.”