This book includes contributions from both Canadian academics and civil society leaders. Drawing from critical international relations theory, it examines the policy and practice of the Canadian state and civil society on indigenous approaches to the emerging human rights and peacebuilding nexus. Authors address themes including foreign policy, inclusion, international justice and corporate accountability as they relate to this nexus. In so doing, the volume fills a gap in the Canadian foreign policy literature related to peacebuilding and human rights and seeks to refine and deepen the existing literature through its exploration of policy and practice. It concludes that while Canada has developed a strong capacity to address emergent human rights and peacebuilding concerns, its ambitions are inconsistent and often overshadowed by domestic political priorities, economic interests and security concerns.
Kirsten Van Houten was recently appointed as an Assistant Professor in the School of Social Justice and Global Stewardship at the University of the Fraser Valley. She edited this volume as a Postdoctoral Researcher at the Live Work Well Research Centre at the University of Guelph.
Alex Neve is currently appointed to positions at the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs, University of Ottawa, and Faculties of Law, University of Ottawa and Dalhousie University. He is the former Secretary General of Amnesty International Canada and an Officer of the Order of Canada.