The Right Honourable Kim Campbell » Prime minister

Canada: A Remarkable Country

kim — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 17:59:01 +0000

Earlier this year, I spoke to the Mark News about the role of the prime minister in Canada. This is additional video from that original interview. There’s a bit of crossover, but it’s got some things that you haven’t seen before as well.

(video)

Is there something about Canada that you think is remarkable? Let me know in the comments below.

Canadian Leaders, Look to John A Macdonald!

kim — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 18:43:47 +0000

Image via CrunchBase

Recently, the Mark News hosted an interesting conversation about the direction of Canada, what it should look like at 150, and how to get there. One theme that emerged was the need for strong leadership at this particular moment in Canada’s history.

Challenges include defining a role for Canada in the rapidly changing global context and reengaging a public that seems increasingly disinterested in the political process. This will require bold leadership. But what does that look like?

The Mark News asked me to further the conversation by identifying one political leader, either past or present, who could serve as a role model for Canadian politicians and what could be learned from that leader today. I suggested that Canadian leaders look to Canada’s first Prime Minister, Sir John A. Macdonald for inspiration.

(video)

See what nine other prominent Canadians had to say about this as well in the Leaders on Leaders series on the Mark News.

Is there a leader from the past that you think would have solutions for the current challenges of your country today? Who would that be and why?

Welcome to BiteSizeChunks!

kim — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 19:07:22 +0000

Welcome to “BiteSizeChunks”, my blog. There’s an old African proverb that says: “How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.”

Many of today’s challenges – Climate Change, Poverty, Hunger, Illiteracy, Oppression of Women – seem beyond the ability of any single person to influence. I’ve created this blog to provide food for thought on the day’s most important issues, and to invite you to share suggestions of concrete things that we as individuals can do to make a difference in some of the big issues of our time.

Sharing stories and ideas is the way that ordinary people can have an impact on the big issues. The goal of exchanging these ideas is to foster a feeling of empowerment that will encourage us to act.

When I helped to create the Club of Madrid – made up of 72 members who have been either President or Prime Minister of their countries, I explained that this group did not assume that we alone could change the world. We know better than anyone what it means to be “former” leaders. But we also know that we can leverage our experience and access to promote democratic values. To explain the role we play, I coined the term, “a tile in the mosaic of progress,” which is what the ideas of this blog shall be as well.

Please join me in building a new mosaic of positive change, one bite size chunk at a time.

Sincerely,

Kim Campbell

I say to all women: “Go for it!”

sheila — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 19:42:18 +0000

Oftentimes leadership roles are gendered masculine and women are seen as not belonging in political office, even by other women. For many women and girls, Kim Campbell represented a serious step forward when she became Canada’s first and thus far only, female prime minister.

In this clip from Gretchen Kelbaugh’s independent film, Menocracy, Former Canadian Prime Minister Kim Campbell talks about why women should “Go for it.”

Here’s a challenge for you: If you have been inspired by an extraordinary woman, do something about it! It could be something as simple as thanking them and letting them know how they’ve influenced you, or perhaps there’s some way that you can pass it on by supporting or inspiring someone else.

Let us know who inspired you and what you’re doing about it.

-Sheila