MINISTERS CONGRATULATE 2002 FOREIGN SERVICE AWARD WINNERS
June 19, 2002 (10:40 a.m. EDT) No. 71
MINISTERS CONGRATULATE 2002 FOREIGN SERVICE
AWARD WINNERS
Bill Graham, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Pierre Pettigrew, Minister for International Trade, and Denis Coderre, Minister of
Citizenship and Immigration, today congratulated the four winners of the 2002 awards of the Professional Association of
Foreign Service Officers (PAFSO). The winners, Steve Brereton, Ross Glasgow, Diane Harper and Andrée Vary, were
honoured at a ceremony held recently at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa.
The Canadian Foreign Service Officer Awards were instituted in 1990 by PAFSO to acknowledge exceptional
achievements by career foreign service officers.
Judges for this year's awards were: John L. Baker, a private and public sector consultant now retired from the immigration
foreign service; Donald W. Campbell, Group President, Military Simulation and Training, CAE; Manon Globensky, a
journalist for CBC's French Services; Lieutenant-General George Macdonald, Vice Chief of the Defence Staff, Department
of National Defence; and David Winfield, Executive Director of the Toronto International Leadership Centre for Financial
Sector Supervision.
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Citations for the recipients are attached.
For further information, media representatives may contact:
Isabelle Savard
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs
(613) 995-1851
Sébastien Théberge
Office of the Minister for International Trade
(613) 992-7332
Media Relations Office
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
(613) 995-1874
Danielle Sarazin
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
(613) 952-0740
This document is also available on the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade's Internet site:
http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca
CITATIONS
Steve Brereton, Director of the Investment Trade Policy Division, received an award in recognition of his outstanding
leadership and management, both of issues and people. As director of the division responsible for managing issues
stemming from Chapter 11 of NAFTA, he has played a crucial part in meeting government objectives, as well as a pivotal
role in advancing policy on corporate social responsibility. He is also recognized as a superbly effective manager, praised
for his leadership and commitment, his flexibility and dedication to the task and his ability to marshal the talents of a
diverse team to meet ongoing challenges. His commitment to public service and to teamwork distinguish him as an
outstanding representative of the Foreign Service.
Ross Glasgow, Counsellor at the Canadian Joint Delegation to the North Atlantic Council in Brussels, is being honoured
for his outstanding work at NATO, where he has worked tirelessly and diligently toward a vision of the organization that
encompasses larger humanitarian concerns, in keeping with Canada's human security focus. He is being recognized
specifically for the innovative leadership he has shown in working with the countries of the Euro-Atlantic Partnership
Council to reduce stockpiles of landmines, small arms and light weapons. Through his efforts, a voluntary NATO trust fund
was turned into a vehicle for international action in landmine stockpile destruction. The result has been not only a reduction
in landmines and small arms stockpiling, but also a new perspective in what has traditionally been an environment resistant
to change.
Diane Harper, First Secretary and Consul at the Office of the Canadian Embassy in El Salvador, received a PAFSO award
for her outstanding management ability during the earthquakes in El Salvador in January and February 2001, as well as for
the leadership skills she continues to display in a challenging micro-mission environment. In January 2001, El Salvador
experienced a severe earthquake, which killed over 800 people. Despite the dangers and personal risks, she met every
challenge with aplomb, ensuring the safety of her staff and of Canadians in El Salvador. She exemplifies the versatility and
flexibility, as well as the ability to perform under pressure, that are hallmarks of the Foreign Service. She also enjoys the
loyalty and affection of all who work with her. Her personal and professional contribution in a time of crisis are recognized
in the award she has received.
Andrée Vary, Counsellor (Commercial) at the Canadian High Commission in Barbados, received an award for her
exceptional contribution as the Regional Trade Commissioner in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire. She is known for her work in
identifying and counselling on sources of trade financing for Canadian businesses in developing countries and is considered
to be the Department's key expert in this area. Her work in Abidjan posed unusual challenges, not the least of which was the
coup d'état in 1999. She has been praised by public and private sector officials alike for her energetic pursuit of
opportunities for Canadian businesses, her knowledge of the African market, and the sound and enduring relationships she
established with the African Development Bank. Exemplifying the best in the Trade Commissioner tradition, her energy,
creativity and dedication have played a significant role in advancing Canadian trade interests in West Africa.