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.