정태인 토론토총영사 영문 기고문

I

 In world history, great powers have something common. They are multi-national and multi-cultural. There are numerous examples: the Roman Empire and the Ottoman Empire in Europe; Chinese dynasties and Mongol Empire in Asia. In 20th century, the former Soviet Union and the United States also fall into the same category.

 Recently, Canada is attracting my attention, because it tries to learn lessons from the rise and fall of the world powers in the past. Not so long ago, Canada started to exist, following the destiny almost same as that of the United States. But unfortunately, since someday it has been on different path from its neighbor. The gap between the two countries became large in many ways. But now Canada is waking up…

II

 As well known, Canada started as a bi-national community between French and British in the land of the indigenous people. Canada apologized to the indigenous people for their atrocity in the old days and embraced them. Canada declared itself to be bi-lingual country and also embraced French minority. Later on, it opened the door to the European and Asian immigrants and recognized their culture of origin. The multi-nationalism and multi-culturalism are getting stronger in Canada. Step by step, Canada strengthens the basics to show and prove itself to the world.

 In the near future, Canada will be a country with population of 40 million, endowed with abundant natural resources. While the size of its market is growing accordingly, Canada pursues diversification of cooperation partnership from heavy dependence on its neighbour, supported by the global ethnic network from the multi-national integration. It does not stop there. Canada continues to explore promising potentials to survive and to be competitive.

 The oil and gas from the inland Canada are looking for the exit to the Pacific. The Free Trade Agreement with Korea is not enough. Other partners are on the waiting list. Canada joined the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). In the advent of the 4th industrial revolution, the development of AI and space industries is also encouraged.

III

 To make its own voice in the world, Canada does not hesitate to play its deserved and required role. It has never refused the role as an honourable member state of the NATO together with active participation in the UN peace keeping operations. For the purpose of making contribution to the peaceful settlement of the North Korean nuclear issue, the Vancouver Foreign Ministers’ Meeting was hosted in 2018. To promote the fair trade and to fight against protectionist movements in the world, it also provided a venue by hosting the Trade Ministers’ Meeting in Ottawa same year. In the area of climate change, Canada is a leading country implementing the Paris Agreement in the world.

 Though Canada is a member state of G7, it is comfortable and friendly to rest of the states in G20, further to other countries in the world. While maintaining the Canadian values, it has been fexible to others. Furthermore, Canada does not show ambition to the world, but it proves that Canada is a country of principle. Even better, Canada is a country facing Pacific as well as Atlantic Ocean under no threat from outside. Thus, it can accommodate all the philosophies and religions of the world. Canada can embrace all the countries with different ideolgies.

IV

 Suddenly, some idea strikes me. Toronto is the heart of Canada, and from there many things can be initiated for change of the world by realizing the above mentioned merits, advantages and potentials. Toronto is strong in economic, political, socio-cultural, and geographical features of Canada. Commercial and mining finances in Canada are centered in Toronto. Lots of investments are guided to the AI and IT industries in Greater Toronto Area. Many think-tanks and educational institutions are concentrated in and nearby Toronto. Many opinion leaders are working there, influencing the provincial and federal politics. Most important is that the GTA accommodates the various ethnic communities from across the world.

 The global ethnic network from Toronto makes many things possible too. Toronto has a potential to be a hub of entertainment industry or another Hollywood in Canada. The hub is possible by absorbing and processing various national stories from rest of the world, to consume the result products in the enlarged domestic market, and to disseminate them to the world through the ethnic network and diversified partnerships. As a byproduct, if redeveloped a little more, Toronto can be a widely known tourist attraction surrounded by its various ethnic communities. Furthermore, supported by upgrade of AI and IT industries, the smart economy may come true, probably leading to construction of a smart city at the waterfront, and making Toronto another mecca of the future to be followed by other countries.

V

 Many think-tanks together with opinion leaders in Toronto can guide the open, comfortable and friendly Canada to make friends as many as possible in the world, thus strengthening its global voice. They can also contribute to Canada’s global leadership in peace by suggestion of sending peace delegations to Asian regions in conflict, and in world economy as well by advocating the principle of fair trade. Or they can do that with some peace initiatives in Asia, an example of which may be organizing regional memorial events for the tragedies in the World War II, comparable to the Victory Day commemoration in Europe. There are still many other opportunities to initiate change to create better future of the world from Toronto…

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