“We often don’t learn people skills; we learn knowledge, critical thinking, international relations theory, but we don’t necessarily learn the interpersonal skills which are an essential skill working in diplomacy.”

 

 

MARY PIERRE-WADE is a Canadian Foreign Service Officer posted to the Joint Delegation of Canada to NATO. Previously, she was posted to the Canadian Mission to the UN in Geneva, where she represented Canada at the UN Human Rights Council. She has a Master’s degree in Diplomacy and International Studies from the School of Oriental and African Studies in London, and an undergraduate degree in French literature and music from Queen’s University, Canada.

Women’s rights have been a common thread throughout her career, from UN internships prior to joining the Foreign Service, to representing Canada and co-chairing the negotiations for the resolution on Violence Against Women at the UN Human Rights Council, to being actively engaged on Women, Peace and Security at NATO.