This appreciation of the role of science in forging strong connections between nations was undoubtedly influenced by Anne-Marie Slaughter (@SlaughterAM), a professor of politics and international affairs at Princeton and senior policy advisor to Secretary Clinton. Slaughter has argued for the importance of global connectivity and the centrality of connections to global leadership. “In this world,” she said, “the state with the most connections will be the central player … If power is derived from connectivity, then the focus of leadership should be on making connections to solve shared problems.”

In a world in which knowledge, and the technologies that flow from knowledge, has become a major driver of economic well-being, Canadian trade and foreign policies should reflect that new reality. As a nation that aspires to lead as a knowledge economy, Canada must ensure that its embassies and high commissions emphasize science as a way of building relationships and opening doors between local players and t…

‘The torch which illuminates the world’: Canada, science and democracy