NATO’s definition of security goes well
beyond military defence. Although it is pri-
marily a defence organization, Article 2 of
NATO’s constitution emphasizes econom-
ic security — each member and partner
country will aid one another in the devel-
opment of democratic institutions, pro-
mote good economic well-being and re-
frain from interference in regards to each
country’s policy in those areas.
EMPOWERMENT THROUGH
KNOWLEDGE
Most Canadians don’t need to think about
security on a day-to-day basis. “But when
you do bring it to mind, either through an
article that we publish or one of our events,
suddenly they realize how lucky they are.
That’s one of the things that we always do
at our events, to show Canadians the val-
ue of what they have,” Robert Baines said.
Baines has been a part of Team NAOC for
six years, serving a double-barreled role as
the association’s development officer and
executive director for the Canada-Albania
Business Council.
NAOC brings forth opportunities for Cana-
dians to see beyond newspaper headlines.
Every year, NAOCorganizes twoconferenc-
es in Toronto and Ottawa featuring promi-
nent speakers, including representatives
from the Department of Global Affairs and
the Department of National Defence, who
lead discussions on current issues in se-
curity and foreign policy. Past conferences
have centred on themes such as conflict
zones like Ukraine and Afghanistan. Last
year’s theme was on the increasing role of
women in security as outlined by Resolu-
tion 1325 of the UN Security Council. The
Hon. David Pratt presenting Rt. Hon. Brian Mulroney with an award for a lifetime
achievement at the NAOC 50th Anniversary Gala.
32 business elite canada
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SEPTEMBER 2016
