12th Annual Donner Prize Shortlist Announced

    
                  International Issues - Canadian Solutions

         Canada/U.S. Relations, Soft Diplomacy, Vancouver's Eastside,
              and the Arctic compete for attention of Canadians
    

TORONTO, April 6 /CNW/ - The four finalists competing for the 2009/2010 Donner Prize, the award for best book on Canadian public policy, were announced today by Allan Gotlieb, Chairman of the Donner Canadian Foundation.

"The Donner Prize annually rewards excellence and innovation in Canadian public policy writing. Last year's shortlisted books generated a great deal of discussion on a number of topical, provocative and controversial subjects. We hope that the 2009/2010 selection resonates with Canadians and facilitates another informed, open exchange of ideas. In bestowing this award, the Donner Canadian Foundation seeks to broaden policy debates, increase general awareness of the importance of policy decision making, and make an original and meaningful contribution to policy discourse," said Mr. Gotlieb.

The Donner Prize was established in 1998 to recognize and reward the best public policy thinking, writing and research in Canada. The 2009/2010 Shortlist books were chosen from 71 submissions. The winner of this year's Donner Prize will be announced at an awards ceremony in Toronto on Wednesday, April 28th 2010. The winner will receive $35,000, with $5,000 awarded to the other finalists.

    
    The 2009/2010 Donner Prize Finalists are:
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The Politics of Linkage: Power, Interdependence and Ideas in Canada-US Relations by Brian Bow (UBC Press)

Who Owns the Arctic?: Understanding Sovereignty Disputes in the North by Michael Byers (Douglas & McIntyre)

A Thousand Dreams: Vancouver's Downtown Eastside and the Fight for Its Future by Larry Campbell, Neil Boyd & Lori Culbert (Greystone Books)

Branding Canada: Projecting Canada's Soft Power through Public Diplomacy by Evan H. Potter (McGill-Queen's University Press)

    
                     The 2009/2010 Donner Prize Shortlist
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The Politics of Linkage: Power, Interdependence and Ideas in Canada-US Relations by Brian Bow (UBC Press)

Do Canada and the United States share a special relationship, or is this just a face-saving myth? Offering detailed accounts of four major bilateral disputes, The Politics of Linkage traces a history of US/Canadian relations and the post-war diplomatic culture.

"A well organized and accessible analysis based on the bargaining theory of the history of the Canada-US relationship. The underlying research is sound, exhaustive and of exceptional quality." - Donner Jury

Brian Bow is an associate professor of political science at Dalhousie University and co-editor of An Independent Foreign Policy for Canada? Challenges and Choices for the Future.

Who Owns the Arctic?: Understanding Sovereignty Disputes in the North by Michael Byers (Douglas & McIntyre)

In Who Owns the Arctic?, a leading Arctic expert and international lawyer explains the sometimes contradictory rules governing the Arctic and the disputes that still need to be resolved.

"An excellent contribution to our understanding of the so-called sovereignty issues of Canada's Arctic. Byers gives us a rich historical context, a keen policy analysis and boldly articulates a policy stance for consideration." - Donner Jury

Michael Byers holds the Canada Research Chair in Global Politics and International Law at the University of British Columbia. He has led two projects for Arcticnet, a Canadian government-funded research consortium.

A Thousand Dreams: Vancouver's Downtown Eastside and the Fight for Its Future by Larry Campbell, Neil Boyd & Lori Culbert (Greystone Books)

A Thousand Dreams raises provocative questions about the challenges confronting not only Vancouver's Downtown Eastside, but most of North America's major cities and offers concrete, albeit controversial solutions that are needed urgently.

"In a clear and compelling fashion, a case for governments and communities to work together, to think 'outside the box' and to achieve longer lasting solutions for complex social problems. Reflects the passion of the major actors in the evolution of policy towards Vancouver's Eastside" - Donner Jury

Larry Campbell was mayor of Vancouver from 2002 to 2005 and oversaw the establishment of North America's first legal injection site. He was appointed a Canadian Senator in 2005.

Neil Boyd is a professor and associate director of the School of Criminology at Simon Fraser University.

Lori Culbert is an award-winning journalist with the Vancouver Sun.

Branding Canada: Projecting Canada's Soft Power through Public Diplomacy by Evan H. Potter (McGill-Queen's University Press)

In offering the first comprehensive overview of the origins, development and implementation of the country's public diplomacy, Branding Canada offers policy advice on Canada's approach, and advances the thinking on public diplomacy.

"A useful reference to Canada's historic use of 'public diplomacy' to support our foreign policy objectives and a compelling case that the strategic exercise of these tools of diplomacy can influence other players in the game of international politics. Clearly written, and thoroughly researched". - Donner Jury

Evan H. Potter is assistant professor in the Department of Communication, University of Ottawa.

For further information: Debby de Groot, MDG & Associates, Phone: [phone], E-mail: [email protected], www.donnerbookprize.com