This fifth workshop focus on the Canadian Armed Forces under COVID-19. International capacity-building activities became an increasingly large part of what the Canadian Armed Forces does in the world. They allow Canada to make a difference internationally and particularly to contribute to multilateral efforts, while recognizing the limits to Canada’s capacity to deploy large missions for long periods in violent contexts, as in Afghanistan. But the pandemic has posed considerable challenges to these missions. Some missions were suspended, others drawn down, and rotations disrupted, all while the CAF laboured to keep its members healthy and respond to increased demands at home. What has COVID-19 indicated about Canada’s defense and security priorities in capacity-building? What lessons can the CAF learn about overseas military operations under the risk of future pandemics? How have the disparate effects of the pandemic along gender and ethnic lines affected the CAF and its ability to conduct capacity-building activities abroad?
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