Peter Singer

Biography:
Professor Peter A. Singer is Professor of Medicine, Sun Life Financial Chair in Bioethics and Director at the McLaughlin- Rotman Centre for Global Health, University Health Network and University of Toronto. Singer's research is on life sciences and the developing world – how technologies make the transition from "lab to village". In 2007, Singer was awarded the Michael Smith Prize by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research as Canada’s Health Research of the Year in Population Health and Health Services. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences, and the US Institute of Medicine of the National Academies. He has published over 260 research articles, received over $50 million in research grants, and trained over 70 students. Singer is a member of the Scientific Advisory Board of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Grand Challenges for Global Health Initiative, and has advised the UN Secretary General's Office, the Government of Canada, several African Governments, and Pepsico Inc on issues related to global health. He studied internal medicine at University of Toronto, medical ethics at University of Chicago, public health at Yale University, and management at Harvard Business School. He is a former chairman of Branksome Hall School.

Abstract:
"From Blue Helmets to White Lab Coats"


Canada’s significant science and technology (S&T) strengths – in health and related life sciences, information and communications technologies, and energy and environmental technologies – could be mobilized to address the pressing challenges of the developing world such as global health, food security, energy, and climate change.
Canada already has many of the necessary institutions: the International Development Research Centre, the Development Innovation Fund, and the Global Health Research Initiative. There are also important roles that could be played by Canadian universities, industry and by our diaspora scientists and engineers.
Although these innovations would be focused on the challenges of the developing world, they could also have a significant impact domestically by helping to address a range of shared threats including climate change, chronic disease, and H1N1. Some solutions could also find application in our Aboriginal communities.
While such a strategy might begin with development, it would quickly reinforce our international competitiveness and trade relations, where we have developed science and technology agreements and partnership programs with India and China. It would also strengthen our approach to diplomacy.
It has been half a century since Canada made a truly distinctive global contribution through its foreign policy. In the same way that we once led the world through peacekeeping, we now have the opportunity to become the leaders in science and foreign policy. Our distinctive new global brand would be innovation – Canada helps developing countries solve their problems using science. We could lead the way and inspire other nations to follow – beginning with the upcoming opportunities of the G8 and G20 meetings and our bid to join the UN Security Council.