On 6 November, the Canadian Association of Commonwealth Scholars and Fellows (CACSF) hosted a CSC 65th Anniversary Reception at the British High Commission in Ottawa.
The event brought together over 30 Commonwealth Alumni living in Ottawa, Kingston and Montreal to celebrate the role of Commonwealth Scholarships in transforming lives across generations. As well as bringing together Canadian Commonwealth Alumni who had studied in the UK through a CSC funded scholarship, the event celebrated the wider Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan (CSFP) through the attendance of alumni from other Commonwealth countries who had received a Commonwealth Scholarship funded by the Canadian government to study in Canada.
Kevin Goheen (1983 Commonwealth Scholar, PhD Naval Architecture, University College London), CACSAF Co-ordinator, opened the event with introductions, followed by a welcome address from Alex Partridge, Interim Deputy British High Commissioner. In his address, Alex recounted the support of the British High Commission to Commonwealth Scholars and Alumni.
The role of governance in a changing world
Acknowledging that the event took place the day after the 2024 US general election, the event comprised an expert panel discussion on the topic, ‘How will yesterday’s US election effect Canada and the UK?’.
Expert speakers were Emma Richardson (2002 Commonwealth Scholar, MSc Development Studies, London School of Economics and Political Science) Senior Advisor, UN Division at GAC. Emma ran for the Liberal nomination in Toronto-St. Paul’s 2024 federal by-election. She was joined by Victoria Lennox (2007 Commonwealth Scholar, MSc Global Governance & Diplomacy, University of Oxford), President Emeritus of Startup Canada, which connects Canada’s entrepreneurs with the tools, community, and support they need to start and build their businesses. Victoria has announced that she is seeking the Federal Conservative Nomination in Ottawa Centre. The panel was moderated by Jacques Frémont (1978 Commonwealth Scholar, PhD Law, London School of Economics and Political Science), President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ottawa.
As Chair, Jacques skilfully led the panellists through questions about the potential impact of the US election results and moderated questions from attendees. At the end of the discussion, panellists and attendees agreed that the aspects of life in Canada which may change the most and/or fastest as a result of the election would be trade and defence.
Following the discussion, Kevin thanked the panellists and Chair for their thoughtful and expert contributions, as well as the BHC for hosting the event.
The event ended with a networking session during which alumni reflected on their scholarship experience and the importance of continued provision of Commonwealth Scholarships in Canada.
