John McNee
Encyclopedia
John McNee is a Canadian
career diplomat. McNee was Canada's Ambassador to the United Nations
from 2006 to July 2011.
McNee earned a Bachelor of Arts in History from York University
in Canada in 1973 and a Master of Arts in History from Cambridge University in 1975.
He joined the Department of External Affairs in 1978 and has served in Spain, the United Kingdom and Israel.
In the 1980s he was on then Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau
's Task Force on International Peace and Security and also served in the Privy Council Office
.
He was Canadian Ambassador to Syria
from 1993 to 1997 and concurrently served as envoy to Lebanon
until 1995.
Returning to Ottawa he served in the Policy Development Secretariat of the Department of Foreign Affairs and as Director General, Middle East, North Africa and Gulf States Bureau.
From 2004 until 2006 McNee was Canada's Ambassador to Belgium
and Luxembourg
. His appointment to the United Nations was announced in February 2006 and he succeeded Allan Rock
in the position at the beginning of July. McNee was succeeded by Guillermo E. Rishchynski.
In June 2011, McNee was appointed the first Secretary-General of the Global Centre for Pluralism
. Based in Ottawa, the Centre for Pluralism is an initiative of His Highness the Aga Khan
in partnership with the Government of Canada
. As Secretary-General, McNee is responsible for building the Centre’s institutional and intellectual capacities as a global knowledge hub working with its international Board of Directors.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
career diplomat. McNee was Canada's Ambassador to the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
from 2006 to July 2011.
McNee earned a Bachelor of Arts in History from York University
York University
York University is a public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is Canada's third-largest university, Ontario's second-largest graduate school, and Canada's leading interdisciplinary university....
in Canada in 1973 and a Master of Arts in History from Cambridge University in 1975.
He joined the Department of External Affairs in 1978 and has served in Spain, the United Kingdom and Israel.
In the 1980s he was on then Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau
Pierre Trudeau
Joseph Philippe Pierre Yves Elliott Trudeau, , usually known as Pierre Trudeau or Pierre Elliott Trudeau, was the 15th Prime Minister of Canada from April 20, 1968 to June 4, 1979, and again from March 3, 1980 to June 30, 1984.Trudeau began his political career campaigning for socialist ideals,...
's Task Force on International Peace and Security and also served in the Privy Council Office
Privy Council Office
Privy Council Office may refer to:*Privy Council Office *Privy Council Office...
.
He was Canadian Ambassador to Syria
Syria
Syria , officially the Syrian Arab Republic , is a country in Western Asia, bordering Lebanon and the Mediterranean Sea to the West, Turkey to the north, Iraq to the east, Jordan to the south, and Israel to the southwest....
from 1993 to 1997 and concurrently served as envoy to Lebanon
Lebanon
Lebanon , officially the Republic of LebanonRepublic of Lebanon is the most common term used by Lebanese government agencies. The term Lebanese Republic, a literal translation of the official Arabic and French names that is not used in today's world. Arabic is the most common language spoken among...
until 1995.
Returning to Ottawa he served in the Policy Development Secretariat of the Department of Foreign Affairs and as Director General, Middle East, North Africa and Gulf States Bureau.
From 2004 until 2006 McNee was Canada's Ambassador to Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
and Luxembourg
Luxembourg
Luxembourg , officially the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg , is a landlocked country in western Europe, bordered by Belgium, France, and Germany. It has two principal regions: the Oesling in the North as part of the Ardennes massif, and the Gutland in the south...
. His appointment to the United Nations was announced in February 2006 and he succeeded Allan Rock
Allan Rock
Allan Michael Rock, PC is a lawyer, former Canadian politician, diplomat and now the President of University of Ottawa. He was Canada's ambassador to the United Nations and had previously served in the Cabinet of Jean Chrétien, most notably as Justice Minister and Health Minister .Rock was...
in the position at the beginning of July. McNee was succeeded by Guillermo E. Rishchynski.
In June 2011, McNee was appointed the first Secretary-General of the Global Centre for Pluralism
Global Centre for Pluralism
The Global Centre for Pluralism is an international centre for research, education and exchange about the values, practices and policies that underpin pluralist societies...
. Based in Ottawa, the Centre for Pluralism is an initiative of His Highness the Aga Khan
Aga Khan IV
Prince Karim, Aga Khan IV, NPk, NI, KBE, CC, GCC, GCIH, GCM is the 49th and current Imam of the Shia Imami Nizari Ismaili Muslims. He has held this position under the title of Aga Khan since July 11, 1957, when, at the age of 20, he succeeded his grandfather, Sultan Mahomed Shah Aga Khan...
in partnership with the Government of Canada
Government of Canada
The Government of Canada, formally Her Majesty's Government, is the system whereby the federation of Canada is administered by a common authority; in Canadian English, the term can mean either the collective set of institutions or specifically the Queen-in-Council...
. As Secretary-General, McNee is responsible for building the Centre’s institutional and intellectual capacities as a global knowledge hub working with its international Board of Directors.