Border Issues: Chantal Blouin
Chantal Blouin is Senior Research Associate at the Centre for Trade Policy and Law, the Norman Paterson School of International Affairs, Carleton University. In her research program on trade and development, she investigates how trade agreements and the benefits of economic integration can be harnessed to contribute to poverty reduction and human development. In recent years, she has been leading an innovative research and capacity-building program on the emerging issues related to trade and health, in collaboration with the World Health Organisation. Her recent publications in this area include: International Trade in Health Services and the GATS (World Bank, 2006), Can the WTO help achieve the Health MDGs? published in the edited volume “Governing Global Health” (Ashgate/CIGI, 2007) and Trade and Health: Seeking Common Ground (McGill/Queens University Press, 2008). Dr. Blouin is a member of the WHO Scientific Resource Group on Globalization, Trade and Health as well as a board member of Equiterre. Before joining CTPL in 2007, Chantal was Senior Researcher, Trade and Development at The North-South Institute in Ottawa. She has also held a Congressional fellowship from the American Political Science Association (APSA) and the Norman Robertson Research Fellowship at the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT) in 1998-1999. She completed her PhD in Political Science at the University of Toronto and holds a M.A. and B.A. in Political Science from Université Laval.
CANADIAN FOREIGN POLICY IN THE AMERICAS: MEETING THE CHALLENGE OF KEY STRUCTURAL CHANGES IN THE GLOBAL ECONOMY
The global economy is being fundamentally altered by the emergence of China and India on the economic world stage. In this new context, Canada and its partners in the Hemisphere have to adapt their trade and investment strategies in order to harness the full benefits of participating in global value chains. Building “strong, sustainable economies through increased trade and investment linkages, as well as mutual commitment to expanding opportunity to all citizens” is a key objective for Canada’s engagement in Latin America and the Caribbean. This research project seeks to understand how to achieve these common goals and what are the potential contributions from Canadian trade and investments policies and from Canadian-owned firms and Canadian-based investors. The project will be undertaken in partnership with the CIC National Capital Branch and in dialogue with a diverse group of experts, policymakers and business people in the Hemisphere. First, we will assess what are the impacts of the emergence of China and India on the countries in the Americas which are attempting to integrate into the global economy by providing labour-intensive inputs into global value chains. Secondly, we will examine what potential for poverty reduction is offered by integrating into the global economy through the provision of primary goods. As well as, where the comparative advantage of many countries in the Americas lies. We will also examine the role of Canadian-owned firms and Canadian-based investors in the integration of these countries into global value chains.
CANADIAN FOREIGN POLICY IN THE AMERICAS: MEETING THE CHALLENGE OF KEY STRUCTURAL CHANGES IN THE GLOBAL ECONOMY
The global economy is being fundamentally altered by the emergence of China and India on the economic world stage. In this new context, Canada and its partners in the Hemisphere have to adapt their trade and investment strategies in order to harness the full benefits of participating in global value chains. Building “strong, sustainable economies through increased trade and investment linkages, as well as mutual commitment to expanding opportunity to all citizens” is a key objective for Canada’s engagement in Latin America and the Caribbean. This research project seeks to understand how to achieve these common goals and what are the potential contributions from Canadian trade and investments policies and from Canadian-owned firms and Canadian-based investors. The project will be undertaken in partnership with the CIC National Capital Branch and in dialogue with a diverse group of experts, policymakers and business people in the Hemisphere. First, we will assess what are the impacts of the emergence of China and India on the countries in the Americas which are attempting to integrate into the global economy by providing labour-intensive inputs into global value chains. Secondly, we will examine what potential for poverty reduction is offered by integrating into the global economy through the provision of primary goods. As well as, where the comparative advantage of many countries in the Americas lies. We will also examine the role of Canadian-owned firms and Canadian-based investors in the integration of these countries into global value chains.