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Issues & Experts Archive > Issues and Experts: floods, APEC, spies, and South African ‘lessons’
Issues and Experts: floods, APEC, spies, and South African ‘lessons’
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Oct 22, 2003
Following the floods…Widespread flooding caused by relentless rainfall over southwestern BC will likely continue if there is little change in weather over the coming days. SFU geologist John Clague can look at how and why floods are wreaking havoc in such communities as Pemberton and Mission. The earth sciences professor was recently awarded a Canada Research Chair in natural hazards research to focus on BC’s vulnerability to future natural disasters, including floods, in light of the province’s history of such hazards and anticipated future climate change. His chair will be the cornerstone of a new centre for natural hazards research at SFU.
Tracking the summit…The leaders of 21 countries, including Canada and the US, are in Bangkok this week attending the annual Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum. SFU political analyst Anil Hira, who specializes in such issues as the politics of trade, is following the discussions and can look at the range of issues as they unfold.
The case for spying abroad…Participants at a recent Vancouver security conference heard that Canadian spies have been carrying out covert operations in other countries as a means of gathering information about national security threats. The confirmation by Canadian Security and Intelligence Service (CSIS) officials was billed as the first public acknowledgement that such operations have been underway. SFU political scientist and security expert Stuart Farson, who attended the conference, disagrees that the acknowledgement was a first, and can comment on intelligence abroad and the mounting pressure to increase such activity to gather information on terrorist groups.
South Africa’s lessons for Middle East peace…SFU sociologist Heribert Adam, an internationally known expert on South Africa, has just published a new book examining how South Africa’s experiences can be applied to the Middle East conflict. Adam wrote Peace-making in Divided Societies: The Israeli-South Africa Analogy, which focuses on negotiating compromises in divided societies. He’ll talk about the lessons from South Africa for Israel and Palestine when he gives the Jennifer Simons Chair inaugural lecture on Thursday, Oct. 23 at 7:30 p.m. at Harbour Centre. Adam participated in the early contacts between the exiled African National Congress and the apartheid regime and teaches at the University of Cape Town. He is also available for interviews.
- John Clague, 604.291.4924; john_clague@sfu.ca
Tracking the summit…The leaders of 21 countries, including Canada and the US, are in Bangkok this week attending the annual Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum. SFU political analyst Anil Hira, who specializes in such issues as the politics of trade, is following the discussions and can look at the range of issues as they unfold.
- Anil Hira, 604.291.3286; ahira@sfu.ca
The case for spying abroad…Participants at a recent Vancouver security conference heard that Canadian spies have been carrying out covert operations in other countries as a means of gathering information about national security threats. The confirmation by Canadian Security and Intelligence Service (CSIS) officials was billed as the first public acknowledgement that such operations have been underway. SFU political scientist and security expert Stuart Farson, who attended the conference, disagrees that the acknowledgement was a first, and can comment on intelligence abroad and the mounting pressure to increase such activity to gather information on terrorist groups.
- Stuart Farson, 250.537.5137; stuart_farson@sfu.ca
South Africa’s lessons for Middle East peace…SFU sociologist Heribert Adam, an internationally known expert on South Africa, has just published a new book examining how South Africa’s experiences can be applied to the Middle East conflict. Adam wrote Peace-making in Divided Societies: The Israeli-South Africa Analogy, which focuses on negotiating compromises in divided societies. He’ll talk about the lessons from South Africa for Israel and Palestine when he gives the Jennifer Simons Chair inaugural lecture on Thursday, Oct. 23 at 7:30 p.m. at Harbour Centre. Adam participated in the early contacts between the exiled African National Congress and the apartheid regime and teaches at the University of Cape Town. He is also available for interviews.
- Heribert Adam, 604.291.3720; heribet_adam@sfu.ca