The NATO Association of Canada’s Society, Culture, and Security program takes a look at the issues that impact Canadians’ every day lives while connecting them to international relations. The program covers a wide range of topics, which include: pop culture, art, film, global events, and socio-political relations. In addition, Society, Culture, and IR aims to examine and provide in-depth analyses that relate international affairs to the interests of Canadian society.

Jacqueline Hicks Society, Culture, and Security

Artificial Intelligence “Master” Defeats Top AlphaGo Players; What Does This AI Advancement Mean for Us?

Google DeepMind’s AlphaGo program takes shape as an online player named “Master” in the Ancient Chinese game of Go. Now that “Master” has defeated many of the top Go players worldwide, Jacqueline Hicks looks at the recent artificial intelligence developments.

Adena Eliasoph Society, Culture, and Security

The Politics of Personality: The (de)stabilizing Effects of Political Attitudes

Temperament plays an increasingly relevant role in the success or failure of a political office. Adena Eliasoph explores the media’s role in responsibly informing the public and the impact that ‘identity politics’ can have on global economies, civil society, and multilateralism.

Isabel Zucchero Society, Culture, and Security

Canada, Fentanyl, and Safe Injection Sites: A Closer Look at Harm Reduction

Canada’s harm reduction efforts face new challenges with the onset of the fentanyl crisis. Safe injection sites have become a topic of debate among Canadian health officials and municipal governments, with no simple answers in sight.

Society, Culture, and Security

Why Should Canadians Care about the White Helmets?

On Friday, December 9 2016, Global Affairs Canada and The British High Commission co-hosted a panel discussion at the Art Gallery of Ontario with senior members from the White Helmets. The White Helmets, also known as Syria Civil Defense, were invited to Canada to share their personal experiences from their heroic contributions in the Syrian Read More…

Africa Society, Culture, and Security Thomas Lee

South Africa: The ANC, Cronyism, and Jacob Zuma’s Nine Lives

The political battleground pitting South African President Jacob Zuma and his personal elite against opposition groups, civil society, and the state’s democratic institutions reached new heights this past year. Thomas Lee takes a look at the country’s rampant corruption, increasingly precarious political and economic backdrop, and the prospects for Zuma’s downfall in 2017.