Democracy Monument, Bangkok
In Thailand to participate in spicy noodles (and crisis communications training) with UNICEF's Southeast Asia regional office.
In Thailand to participate in spicy noodles (and crisis communications training) with UNICEF's Southeast Asia regional office.
Department of Foreign Affairs (now GAC) headquarters,
Ottawa, Canada
At the podium, speaking to about 500 participants at an international UN-themed conference that I organized. In attendance: Canadian diplomats, Global Affairs Canada personnel with the Afghanistan Task Force, academics and international and Canadian university students. My work was to add volume to the UN's efforts in shaping the conversation about the conflict - Canada's longest war.
On the dais with me: Afghanistan's Ambassador to Canada, and my boss - Kate White, Director of the UN Association of Canada).
At the podium, speaking to about 500 participants at an international UN-themed conference that I organized. In attendance: Canadian diplomats, Global Affairs Canada personnel with the Afghanistan Task Force, academics and international and Canadian university students. My work was to add volume to the UN's efforts in shaping the conversation about the conflict - Canada's longest war.
On the dais with me: Afghanistan's Ambassador to Canada, and my boss - Kate White, Director of the UN Association of Canada).
White-water rafting with family
One of my favourite days, ever. (Thank you, Sister).
I'm in the purple wetsuit, crying (mostly) from laughter.
One of my favourite days, ever. (Thank you, Sister).
I'm in the purple wetsuit, crying (mostly) from laughter.
Lviv, Ukraine - Briefing teams of short-term election observers on the political and media landscape in western Ukraine. Shortly after my presentation, my LTO partner and I teamed them up with their interpreters and drivers (and fixers) before sending them out into the field.
Ha Noi, Viet Nam
Papers piling-up (and a red "hotline" phone). Putting together a report for the Canadian International Development Agency, (dutifully/frustratingly using RBM tools to measure results), with a multi-year democracy-development and gender-equity project with the Vietnamese National Assembly.
Fun fact: The offices we worked from had previously been used by the North Viet leadership (40 years prior) for military planning against US and South Viet forces.
Canada of course didn't get involved in that war. By 'sheer unrelated coincidence', Canada was later trusted by Viet Nam to help them in developing their unique brand of democracy and market-driven economy.
(The Americans? Not so much).
Papers piling-up (and a red "hotline" phone). Putting together a report for the Canadian International Development Agency, (dutifully/frustratingly using RBM tools to measure results), with a multi-year democracy-development and gender-equity project with the Vietnamese National Assembly.
Fun fact: The offices we worked from had previously been used by the North Viet leadership (40 years prior) for military planning against US and South Viet forces.
Canada of course didn't get involved in that war. By 'sheer unrelated coincidence', Canada was later trusted by Viet Nam to help them in developing their unique brand of democracy and market-driven economy.
(The Americans? Not so much).
West Vancouver
With Ferrous, my only son (and a very good boy).
With Ferrous, my only son (and a very good boy).
Canada Day in Hanoi
I had recently arrived to begin a 12-month assignment when the Canadian embassy hosted a July 1st "Canada-Vietnam friendship” reception at the Hanoi Opera House. The friends (and work connections) I made that evening, with embassy staffers and other officials, were invaluable, and helped me to better navigate and understand the workings of the country's National Assembly, (basically my job).
Sometimes 'work' happily means shutting-off the laptop and picking-up a glass of wine.
Fun fact: I worked particularly hard during Beaujolais Nouveau season that year, (and whenever *senior Viet government officials brought out the snake rice wine). *Chiefly, Committee Chairs and other MPs - wisened old former soldiers who had fought Americans in their war against territorial aggression.
I had recently arrived to begin a 12-month assignment when the Canadian embassy hosted a July 1st "Canada-Vietnam friendship” reception at the Hanoi Opera House. The friends (and work connections) I made that evening, with embassy staffers and other officials, were invaluable, and helped me to better navigate and understand the workings of the country's National Assembly, (basically my job).
Sometimes 'work' happily means shutting-off the laptop and picking-up a glass of wine.
Fun fact: I worked particularly hard during Beaujolais Nouveau season that year, (and whenever *senior Viet government officials brought out the snake rice wine). *Chiefly, Committee Chairs and other MPs - wisened old former soldiers who had fought Americans in their war against territorial aggression.
Outside the Lviv courthouse, beside a memorial to a Ukrainian writer killed by Russian extremists.
With my very efficient Long-Term Observer partner, (always work in pairs), before attending a court-action regarding irregularities with the electoral process. Video.
(The murdered Ukrainian artist was targeted by the KGB for writing in his native language and for promoting Ukrainian culture).
My very deep love for Ukraine is what I feel for my own country. And, like Ukraine, Canada might be soon become 'the tip of the spear' in defending global democracy against tyranny and aggression.
With my very efficient Long-Term Observer partner, (always work in pairs), before attending a court-action regarding irregularities with the electoral process. Video.
(The murdered Ukrainian artist was targeted by the KGB for writing in his native language and for promoting Ukrainian culture).
My very deep love for Ukraine is what I feel for my own country. And, like Ukraine, Canada might be soon become 'the tip of the spear' in defending global democracy against tyranny and aggression.
Salt Lake City, Utah
As part of the official Canadian Olympic delegation, with my boss, Canada's Minister for Sport, (Hon. Paul deVillers) and Deputy Prime Minister, Hon. John Manley.
Photo was taken moments after the Canadian men's hockey team won Olympic gold*, for the first time in 50 years. An estimated one-third of all Canadians watched the game on tv.
(The "Lucky Loonie" they display on the floor at Tim Horton's...that game). Joe Sakic and Jarome Iginla each scored twice, Marty Brodeur with 33 saves. Wayne Gretzky was the team's Executive Director).
Fun (and 100% true) fact: I was the last Canadian government official to speak with Wayne, just minutes before faceoff. (*Coincidence?).
As part of the official Canadian Olympic delegation, with my boss, Canada's Minister for Sport, (Hon. Paul deVillers) and Deputy Prime Minister, Hon. John Manley.
Photo was taken moments after the Canadian men's hockey team won Olympic gold*, for the first time in 50 years. An estimated one-third of all Canadians watched the game on tv.
(The "Lucky Loonie" they display on the floor at Tim Horton's...that game). Joe Sakic and Jarome Iginla each scored twice, Marty Brodeur with 33 saves. Wayne Gretzky was the team's Executive Director).
Fun (and 100% true) fact: I was the last Canadian government official to speak with Wayne, just minutes before faceoff. (*Coincidence?).
Inspecting ballot boxes prior to presidential elections, in a small, rural schoolhouse between Kharkiv and the Russian border.
As an election observer with the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, I was assigned to a remote area in the north-eastern part of the country near the Russian border. As in Canada, voting generally takes place in schools and community centers. Here, in a small schoolhouse in February (with no heating on that chilly day), local election officials brought us steaming-hot bowls of borscht to keep us warm.
As an election observer with the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, I was assigned to a remote area in the north-eastern part of the country near the Russian border. As in Canada, voting generally takes place in schools and community centers. Here, in a small schoolhouse in February (with no heating on that chilly day), local election officials brought us steaming-hot bowls of borscht to keep us warm.
HUFFPOST
habseyesontheprize.com
aljazeera.com
persuasion.community
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thegrayzone.com
theintellectualist.com
habseyesontheprize.com
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persuasion.community
habseyesontheprize.com
thegrayzone.com
theintellectualist.com
thedailybeast.com
wonkette.com
Radio Free Europe
Christian Scirence Monior
democracydocket
apnews.com/
wonkette.com
Radio Free Europe
Christian Scirence Monior
democracydocket
apnews.com/
The Intercept
laprensa.com
laprogressive
worldstarhiphop.com
worldstarhiphop.com
Civil Discourse Project
thecipherbrief.com
Montreal Gazette
What the Puck Habs
Off the Cuff
fivethirtyeight.com
VICE
politico
Intelligencer
tsn habs hockey
https://speakola.com/
thecipherbrief.com
Montreal Gazette
What the Puck Habs
Off the Cuff
fivethirtyeight.com
VICE
politico
Intelligencer
tsn habs hockey
https://speakola.com/
Tibilisi, Georgia - With staff from the Presidential Press Office
Following the historic Rose Revolution, I was contracted by the United Nations Development Programme to evaluate the newly-elected President's media operations, and to make (and implement) recommendations towards improving transparency, accountability and deepening independence from foreign influence. The Russians invaded just a few months later.
Following the historic Rose Revolution, I was contracted by the United Nations Development Programme to evaluate the newly-elected President's media operations, and to make (and implement) recommendations towards improving transparency, accountability and deepening independence from foreign influence. The Russians invaded just a few months later.
Kharkiv, Ukraine
Photos taken before modern Russian tanks returned to attack the country. It's regretful that I'm smiling like a foolish tourist here, not knowing what was to come only two years later.
Photos taken before modern Russian tanks returned to attack the country. It's regretful that I'm smiling like a foolish tourist here, not knowing what was to come only two years later.
I was taught from a young age that a rising tide can lift all boats, (provided that they're not irrevocably anchored-down in the first place). My (mostly) privileged life, my actions, my words, my manner of being and my work are all governed by the same ideals of equality, dignity, discretion and privacy - and at its core, basic fairness and justice for those who can't speak-up or protect themselves.
“A person of good intelligence and sensitivity cannot exist in this society very long without having some anger about the inequality - and it's not just a bleeding-heart, knee-jerk, liberal kind of a thing - it is just a normal human reaction to a nonsensical set of values where we have cinnamon flavored dental floss and there are people sleeping in the street.”
- George Carlin
- George Carlin
From 1999 to 2006, I served the Canadian government as a political, communications and parliamentary affairs advisor to three cabinet ministers in the advancement of federal legislation, programs and policies deigned to improve people's lives, working to create a fairer, more balanced playing field for the more vulnerable among us.
I'm listed on the United Nations Field Personnel Division's 'quick-deployment roster' as a pre-cleared spokesperson for service in public information and special political missions with the Department of Peacekeeping Operations. I've completed two levels of the UN's "Advanced Security in the Field" requirements, and participated in emergency communications training with UNICEF's Southeast Asia regional office in Bangkok. I've authored UNDP-commissioned reports on media management and the restructuring of operations of a presidential press office in a former Soviet republic.
Since 2006, I've performed SSA Specialized Service Agreement contracts within the United Nations system and with overseas projects funded by the Canadian International Development Agency, Canada's Department of Foreign/Global Affairs, and for the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).
____________
I've advised on parliamentary development projects, gender-equity programs, electoral-fairness, and democratic-strengthening missions in post-conflict zones and emerging democracies (in South East Asia and in Eastern Europe). I've performed several assignments for Canadian-based NGOs, involving advocacy and government relations.
Always (and only) for programs and policies that advance basic social equities and the rule of law.
____________
I've advised on parliamentary development projects, gender-equity programs, electoral-fairness, and democratic-strengthening missions in post-conflict zones and emerging democracies (in South East Asia and in Eastern Europe). I've performed several assignments for Canadian-based NGOs, involving advocacy and government relations.
Always (and only) for programs and policies that advance basic social equities and the rule of law.
I've also certainly been involved in some less-than-serious, sometimes frivolous (or even foolish?) jobs, projects and endeavours, (none of which I'll shrink away from, either). I don't want this page to simply be vanity window dressing...
If you want to know more about who I am, and what I'm really like as a semi-sentient humanoid life form on this planet, (at times reporting from the Malabar Front or as an occasional fry cook at/on Venus), please continue, knowing that I list dozens of personal and professional references - former colleagues and bosses - including Members of Parliament, federal ministers, directors and staff of national associations, senior officials and communications personnel with the United Nations, the OSCE and with the Canadian government.
If you want to know more about who I am, and what I'm really like as a semi-sentient humanoid life form on this planet, (at times reporting from the Malabar Front or as an occasional fry cook at/on Venus), please continue, knowing that I list dozens of personal and professional references - former colleagues and bosses - including Members of Parliament, federal ministers, directors and staff of national associations, senior officials and communications personnel with the United Nations, the OSCE and with the Canadian government.
Communications
for development in democracy (C4DiD)
for development in democracy (C4DiD)
Brian Karem
is the former senior White House correspondent for Playboy. He has sued Donald Trump three times successfully to keep his press pass, spent time in jail to protect a confidential source, covered wars in the Middle East and is the author of seven books. His latest is "Free the Press."
is the former senior White House correspondent for Playboy. He has sued Donald Trump three times successfully to keep his press pass, spent time in jail to protect a confidential source, covered wars in the Middle East and is the author of seven books. His latest is "Free the Press."
Rachel Bitecofer
Political analyst, election guru and political strategist, reveres democracy and promotes its fundamentals with analytical honesty using populist methods.
Political analyst, election guru and political strategist, reveres democracy and promotes its fundamentals with analytical honesty using populist methods.
In more recent years, I represented a small, private consulting firm in Central America, striving to find (and discreetly deliver) the big solutions to some very complex problems. My role chiefly dealt with bridging gaps and bringing stakeholders together under common purpose within three major infrastructure projects - one on the water, one on land, and the last, completely underground.
MY DAILY NEWSPEAK FIX
Heather Cox Richardson
Letters from an American
Letters from an American
Robert Reich American professor, author, lawyer, and political commentator.
Only in Panama: From the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic in 17 minutes.
In a small turbo-prop plane (video) with the world's foremost experts on the Panama Canal, getting a bird's-eye-view from ocean to ocean. A modern 'Wonder of the World', the Canal is running out of water. On contract with a Panamanian-based consulting firm and representing a large Canadian engineering company, I worked to package and present our client's innovative solutions, (diversion of water and building a dam on a large river), to the Panama Canal Authority and to select government officials.
Not-so-fun fact: We didn't get the contract, (it went to the US Army Corps of Engineers).
In a small turbo-prop plane (video) with the world's foremost experts on the Panama Canal, getting a bird's-eye-view from ocean to ocean. A modern 'Wonder of the World', the Canal is running out of water. On contract with a Panamanian-based consulting firm and representing a large Canadian engineering company, I worked to package and present our client's innovative solutions, (diversion of water and building a dam on a large river), to the Panama Canal Authority and to select government officials.
Not-so-fun fact: We didn't get the contract, (it went to the US Army Corps of Engineers).
My work has chiefly focused on strategic and results-driven public affairs, diplomacy (multi-track, "1.5+", cultural), the formation and delivery of core messaging, stakeholder engagement and media management.
_________________
_________________
The very long version:
Please keep scrolling for descriptions of my work/life experiences, with photos, links and stories (short humble-brags) from the field, where we tried to make a difference.
Please keep scrolling for descriptions of my work/life experiences, with photos, links and stories (short humble-brags) from the field, where we tried to make a difference.
The short version:
(Please jump straight to my CV)
(Please jump straight to my CV)
My professional (and personal) interests extend only to projects with the potential to improve people's lives in significant, impactful ways.
With experience in media management, advocacy and good-governance, I found opportunities to make contributions to some interesting (and personally fulfilling) international development projects in Eastern Europe, Southeast Asia and Latin America.
In western Ukraine (Hodorok), speaking with Russian-aligned protesters during a pro-democracy march supporting the jailed national opposition leader
I'm lucky to have received crisis-communications training and media-relations advice from some real pros within the Canadian government, UNICEF, UNDP and the OSCE.
In work, as with day-to-day life, I've learned that true, meaningful communication requires listening, observing, understanding, and above all else - caring about - the human condition and the people struggling to live in what is often a harsh and unbalanced world.
Lviv Press Club, Ukraine
Participating in a roundtable forum on the media landscape and voting irregularities prior to parliamentary elections. Video.
Many electoral shenanigans were cooked-up legislatively (and legally) by the pro-Russian ruling Party of Nations, later overthrown in the Maidan Revolution).
Participating in a roundtable forum on the media landscape and voting irregularities prior to parliamentary elections. Video.
Many electoral shenanigans were cooked-up legislatively (and legally) by the pro-Russian ruling Party of Nations, later overthrown in the Maidan Revolution).
Paul Wells
Politics and culture as though they mattered.
Kremlin Ships Ukrainian Children to North Korea for Indoctrination
Cuban Soldiers Fighting for Russia in Ukraine
GOOD MORNING REVOLUTION:
What’s next: radical reform or socialist revolution?
(A very frustrating esoteric discussion between well-meaning leftists on what comes after MAGA. Mostly just talky talk talk (about extremely important yet theoretical societal issues, all while tic toc talk talk - Rome/US/our World burns). Everything they say is 100% relevant).
Cuban Soldiers Fighting for Russia in Ukraine
GOOD MORNING REVOLUTION:
What’s next: radical reform or socialist revolution?
(A very frustrating esoteric discussion between well-meaning leftists on what comes after MAGA. Mostly just talky talk talk (about extremely important yet theoretical societal issues, all while tic toc talk talk - Rome/US/our World burns). Everything they say is 100% relevant).
Below, you can see my daily news and reading list, and get a view of what interests, concerns, saddens, amuses and alarms me.
Thanks for joining me here. Peace and good health to you. To connect with me, please click here.
- Sean
Scott Galloway
Professor of Marketing at NYU Stern School of Business and host of the Prof G and Pivot Podcasts.
Professor of Marketing at NYU Stern School of Business and host of the Prof G and Pivot Podcasts.
“We must, indeed, all hang together or, most assuredly,
we shall all hang separately.”
-B. Franklin
we shall all hang separately.”
-B. Franklin
“Just once I'd like someone to call me 'Sir' without adding 'You're making a scene.'”
- H. Simpson
- H. Simpson
Pivotal season for Kirby Dach as centre seeks long-term stay with Canadiens
High on the Habs — Fans aren’t alone as Canadiens buzz builds for coming season
Michael Bociurkiw
Senior Fellow - Atlantic Council. Host, Global Impact. Connecting the geopolitical dots, bridging breaking news with human interest, Michael is a journalist, humanitarian aid worker, and global affairs analyst. (And a personal mentor/hero and former colleague).
"The news is disquieting and extreme. I've been worrying about it all day".
- George Orwell
- George Orwell
But, most importantly...