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Louise Arbour calls for a rethink of Canada's Foreign Relations

After decades of observation and involvement, as a Supreme Court Judge, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and Chief Prosecutor at the Hague, Louise Arbour weighs in on the crises gripping so many parts of the world. She tells us where she sees Canada and other nations falling short.
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as a former Supreme Court justice, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, and Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Tribunal Louise Arbour has seen more than most how vexing the world's problems can be. She says it's time for the Canada and other Western countries to rethink international relations. (REUTERS/Vincent Kessler )
The Current25:00Louise Arbour calls for a rethink of Canada's Foreign Relations - March 5, 2015

"Maybe when we all have cars that drive themselves, we won't need traffic cops .. but for now we need peace cops. We need them more than ever. But frankly they're nowhere to be seen." - Louise Arbour on her prescription for international relations

From Libya to Syria, Iraq to ISIS, and Russia to Ukraine... not to mention the ever-present threats of terror and environmental catastrophe, ongoing global inequality and surging refugee populations and the unfulfilled promise of international justice: There are some turbulent waters enveloping the world today, and navigating can't be easy.

But if you're looking for a guiding light in the storm, you could do much worse than Louise Arbour who says that when it comes to managing all these thorny issues, the international community's progress has stalled.

The honourable Louise Arbour is well known here in Canada as a former Supreme Court justice, and known around the world as the UN's fourth-ever High Commissioner for Human Rights. She followed those postings by working as the president and CEO of the International Crisis Group, and as Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Tribunals for the former Yugoslavia and Rwanda. She has received dozens of honorary degrees, awards and medals and is a Companion of the Order of Canada.

Louise Arbour joined us in our Toronto studio. 


This segment was produced by The Current's Kristin Nelson. 


 

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