On Friday, April 8th we welcome Jeff Nankivell, President and CEO of the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada to deliver an in person talk entitled Engaging China Today.
Engaging China Today
While Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is raising new geopolitical questions, at the same time, Canadians have decisions to make about how to engage with China – diplomatically, commercially, academically, and in other fields. China will likely continue to be the leading source of economic growth and new market opportunities globally – but on what terms, and with what risks for Canadian businesses? How can universities and research organizations properly weigh and manage the opportunities and risks of research partnerships? How should the Government of Canada approach engagement with China on pressing bilateral, regional, and global issues on which China has growing influence?
Speaker Bio
Jeff Nankivell joined APF Canada as President and CEO on September 7, 2021. Prior to this, he had a 33-year career in Canada’s Foreign Service. He held various positions at the Canadian International Development Agency between 1988 and 2008, working on programs related to China, Russia, strategic policy, and international financial institutions. A fluent Mandarin speaker, he was posted three times to Canada’s embassy in Beijing – in the development assistance section 1991-95 and 2000-04, and as Deputy Head of Mission 2008-11.
From 2011 to 2016, Jeff served in Ottawa/Gatineau as Director General responsible for Canada’s official development assistance programs across Asia, first with the Canadian International Development Agency and then with Global Affairs Canada. In 2016 he was appointed Consul General of Canada in Hong Kong and Macao, serving in Hong Kong until May 2021.
Jeff holds a master’s degree in political sociology from the London School of Economics, a BA in international relations from the University of Toronto and Université Laval, and a certificate (one-year program) in Chinese language and culture from the Chinese University of Hong Kong.
Follow @jeff_nankivell