May 25, Ottawa: "Afghanistan Disengagement: Balancing Security, Foreign and Domestic Policy Implications. A Transatlantic Dialogue"

It seems this event is open to the public:

You are cordially invited to join the Canadian International Council and the Friedrich Ebert Foundation in Canada for a timely event:

Expert Panel Discussion on Afghanistan Disengagement: Balancing Security, Foreign and Domestic Policy Implications. A Transatlantic Dialogue.

Panel Discussion on May 25, 2010, 4:00 to 6:00 pm
Ottawa, Fairmont Château Laurier, 1 Rideau Street, Canadian Room
Reception to follow: 6:00 pm

While Canada will end its combat mission in Afghanistan in 2011, things are less clear for other ISAF troop contributing nations, such as the United States and Germany.

U.S. Defence Secretary Robert Gates recently announced that the troop drawdown could begin earlier than July 2011, but he did not say how long it would take. Germany’s Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle, on the other hand, wants German soldiers to be back home in 2013, but refuses to give a start date for the withdrawal: “Otherwise, the terrorists would know how long they still have to hold out.”

Why are the positions amongst the transatlantic partners so different? What impact does the new U.S. strategy have on the ground? What kind of post military withdrawal activities and commitments are needed to ensure the price of engagement was not in vain?

High profile speakers from Canada, the U.S. and Germany will be able to shed some light on these questions and discuss how foreign policy has to be weighed in balance with domestic policy considerations and security concerns.

We hope that you will be able to participate in our discussion on May 25, and look forward to your response at your earliest convenience, no later than noon Thursday, May 20. You may RSVP to by email to ottawa@canadianinternationalcouncil.org or call 613-520-3916. Please be advised that the event is free, but that seating is limited.

Pia Bungarten
Representative to the U.S. and Canada, Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES)

Colin Robertson
President, National Capital Branch, Canadian International Council (CIC)

About the CIC (www.canadianinternationalcouncil.org)
The CIC is a non-partisan, nationwide research council established to strengthen Canada's foreign policy. It promotes research and dialogue on international affairs issues through a network that crosses academic disciplines, policy areas and economic sectors.

About the FES (www.fes.de / www.fesdc.org)
The Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) is Germany’s oldest and largest non profit political foundation committed to advancing social justice, promoting peace and shaping globalization in the spirit of the basic values of Social Democracy through education, research and international cooperation.

Agenda:

4:00 pm Welcome by Colin Robertson, President, National Capital Branch, CIC, and Meike Wöhlert, Canada Liaison Officer, FES

Introductory Remarks by His Excellency Dr. Georg Witschel, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Canada

4:15 – 6:00 pm Discussion, followed by Q & A

Keynote:

Hans-Ulrich Klose, Member of German Parliament, Deputy Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Coordinator of German-American Cooperation

Speakers:

Niels Annen, Former Member of German Parliament, Foreign Policy Expert, Senior Resident Fellow with the German Marshall Fund in Washington, DC

Paul Dewar, Member of Parliament for Ottawa Centre, Member of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development, Foreign Affairs Critic for the New Democratic Party

Laurie Hawn, Member of Parliament for Edmonton Centre, Member of the House of Commons Standing Committee on National Defence and of the Special Committee on the Canadian Mission in Afghanistan, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Defence (invited)

Brian Katulis, Senior Fellow, Center for American Progress in Washington, DC

Hon. Bob Rae, Member of Parliament for Toronto Centre, Member of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development and of the Special Committee on the Canadian Mission in Afghanistan, Foreign Affairs Critic for the Liberal Party

6:00 pm Reception

Update: Somewhat related:

...
The Canada-Afghanistan Solidarity Committee is holding events across Canada...

CASC Event in Halifax on May 16...

CASC Event in Montreal on May 17...

CASC Event in Winnipeg on May 18...

CASC Event in Regina on May 20...