“Other diplomacies” and the making of Canada–Asia relations

Abstract

The premise of this article is that the ways in which Asians and Canadians interact with, relate to and understand one other has as much and perhaps even more to do with societal connections and relationships than state ones in the current phase of globalization, with its inter-societal interactions of increasing diversity, intensity, frequency and complexity in economic, social and cultural realms. Research is needed to help us better understand the diverse and complex societal connections between “Canada” and “Asia” and their significance for “Canada–Asia relations”, including but not limited to state-to-state interactions.

Keywords:

• non-state actors
• diplomacy
• Canada-Asia relations
• Canadian foreign policy

Notes

Notably, the Chinese government also appears to have first promoted Rowswell on Chinese television because of his presumed other diplomatic influence. As Brady (2000, pp. 953–954) suggests, this occurred in the immediate aftermath of the 1989 Tiananmen crisis, when the government wanted to demonstrate that not all westerners were shunning China.

For example, the course ORGS 6320 Cross-Cultural Management, at York University's Schulich School of Business, is “designed to address the dilemmas and opportunities that managers face in multicultural and international work environments. The purpose of the course is to improve students' effectiveness in identifying, understanding, and managing crosscultural situations through increased cultural awareness, improved cross-cultural communication and transition skills, and enhanced knowledge of specific cultures and related business practices” (Schulich School of Business 2012a, no page). The international MBA program at Schulich expects graduates to be proficient in international business languages (e.g. Mandarin and Japanese) (Schulich School of Business 2012b).

Based on Mary Young's fieldwork observations in Indonesia in 1997–99 (see also Pari 2004, p. ii; World Rainforest Movement 2004).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Mary M. Young

York Centre for Asian Research (YCAR), Eighth Floor, York Research Tower, 4700 Keele Street, Toronto, Ontario, M3J 1P3, Canada,

Susan J. Henders

York Centre for Asian Research (YCAR), Eighth Floor, York Research Tower, 4700 Keele Street, Toronto, Ontario, M3J 1P3, Canada, [email protected]