Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary: H.E. Mrs. Alison Mary LeClaire visited UWED

On May 30^th of this year at the University of World Economy and Diplomacy, a meeting between her Excellency Alison Mary LeClaire, the vice-rector for international cooperation of UWED Saidkasimov S. S. and students of the university was organized. Mrs. Alison Mary LeClaire is a Canadian public servant with over 30 years of experience in international relations and, currently, an Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Canada to Russia, Uzbekistan and Armenia.

In his introductory remarks, the vice-rector for international cooperation Saidkasimov S. gave a brief introduction about A. LeClaire and her remarkable career as a diplomat and expressed his gratitude to her Excellency the Ambassador for taking her time and visiting the university. Mrs. LeClaire emphasized that the primary purpose of her visit to the university was to conduct an open dialogue with the students in order to connect with young generation and exchange views. First, she gave a brief outline of her diplomatic service at Global Affairs Canada for the past 30 years and recalled her overseas postings at Brazil, Sweden, Switzerland. Mrs. LeClaire noted that this year marks the 30^th anniversary since the establishment of diplomatic relations between Canada and Uzbekistan. Moreover, H.E. Mrs. LeClaire congratulated the students and the vice-rector of the university on the occasion of the 30^th anniversary of the establishment of the University of World Economy and Diplomacy, which falls on September of this year. Mrs. Alison LeClaire also noted that although issues concerning gender are significant and that there is still room for improvement, she has been observing a positive development with regard to this question recently. Diplomatic service is not an exception. She stated that both Uzbekistan and Canada are making a great progress in past few years.

Mrs. Alison LeClaire also gave a quick overview of the Canadian Ministries and talked about Canada’s response to recent global crises, including the COVID-19 pandemic. At the end of the meeting, a Questions-and-Answers session was conducted and the students got the chance to receive answers from the Ambassador. In particular, the following first- and second-year students took an active part in the session: Saydullo Fazliddinov (faculty of International economic relations, second year), Dinara Ishbayeva (faculty of International relations, first year), Jasur Sharafov (faculty of International relations, second year), Matnazarova Madina (faculty of International relation, second year).

At the end of the meeting, Mrs. Alison LeClaire once again thanked the students and the vice-rector for their participation and interest and the vice-rector Saidkasimov S. expressed a hope to see the Ambassador at the university once again.