It is widely acknowledged that over a long period of deep interest and commitment, Mr. Peter Walker has made an outstanding contribution to the development of Canadian Studies at the international level, particularly in his positions held as Ambassador to Austria and as Canadian High Commissioner in India.

An extremely capable Foreign Service officer holding high positions with the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade in Ottawa, and a number of assignments including Assistant Deputy Minister (Personnel) and Director General for Western Europe, the U.S.S.R. and the Eastern Europe, Mr. Peter Walker was the first to initiate the Canadian Studies program in Vienna. He gave it a high priority and instilled enthusiasm amongst the budding Canadianists who worked hard to strengthen Canadian Studies in Austria and established the first Canadian Studies Centre at the University of Innsbruck.

Mr. Peter Walker’s dream to witness the full blossoming of Canadian Studies came true during his assignment as High Commissioner of Canada in India (1993-1997). He played a key role in the consolidation of Canadian Studies development in the country by working in close collaboration with the three leading institutions, namely Shastri Indo-Canadian Institute, Indian Association for Canadian Studies and the University Grants Commission of India. Despite his busy schedule, Peter took a keen interest and actively participated and addressed the IACS international conferences, national seminars and workshops and presided over the prestigious Lester Pearson Lecture held at the University of Delhi Centre for Canadian Studies annually. If Indian Canadianists share with the fellow international members the pride and pleasure in the setting up of four Canadian Area Study centres in Indian universities (Delhi, Mumbai, Baroda and Trivandrum) which will be financially supported by the University Grants Commission of India, the credit for this magnificent achievement in the annals of Canadian Studies development in India, also goes to Mr. Peter Walker for taking the initiative and pursuing the matter with perseverance along with the representatives from other bodies. Currently working as the Coordinator for the Peace Operation Summer Institute (POSI) at Acadia University, Peter has continuously sustained his interest in Canadian Studies development programs and he has been rightly invited to be a member of Canadian Pugwash and the Canadian Advisory Council of the Shastri Indo-Canadian Institute.

Accordingly, it is a just and befitting honor that the ICCS has selected Mr. Peter Walker for the award of Certificate of Merit.