Posted on September 21, 2012

Michael Kennedy

The official ribbon-cutting took place for the Munk School of Global Affairs’ newly renovated and restored heritage building at 315 Bloor Street West. The opening celebrates an exciting period of growth for the Munk School as it moves into a new fall semester in the University of Toronto. Expanding from its existing site at Trinity College, the additional building provides a home for the flagship Master of Global Affairs program, as well as doubles the amount of space for students, faculty, and staff, and is home to the new Canada Centre for Global Security Studies.

The expansion was made possible due to the significant contributions from the federal and provincial government and generous support from Peter and Melanie Munk. After a complete restoration and renovation, the building is now equipped with a state-of-the-art boardroom, four new meeting spaces, a library and reception space, and dedicated teaching and study spaces for Master of Global Affairs students.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony was attended by Munk School students and faculty, as well as a number of special guests, including: Dr. Leonel A. Fernández Reyna, Former President of the Dominican Republic, John Baird, Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Ms. Judy Goldring, Vice-Chair of the University`s Governing Council, and Peter and Melanie Munk.

“Our government is working on all fronts to create the conditions necessary for jobs, growth and long-term prosperity,” said Minister John Baird, speaking on behalf of the Honourable Gary Goodyear, Minister of State for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario) “This new Centre – led by Janice Gross-Stein – will not only help focus academic attention on areas where it needs to be now, but ten years from now, to help contribute to our shared understanding of the links between security and prosperity in Canadian foreign affairs and international relations generally.”

University of Toronto President David Naylor said, “Canada is well positioned to reassert its place on the world stage as an interlocutor between the existing and emerging global powers. Only with outstanding intellectual leadership can the advantages of globalization be maximized, and the threats, constrained. Thanks to the prescience and generosity of Peter and Melanie Munk, Canada’s leadership capacity has been significantly enhanced.”

“By nurturing leaders and thinkers who will thrive in this new globalized landscape, we can continue to build on Canada’s achievements and strengths — as a peacemaker, as an innovator and as a champion of multiculturalism — and further secure our place as a leader in the international community. On behalf of the Government of Ontario, I am honoured to extend congratulations to the executives, faculty, staff and students as you celebrate the opening of the Munk School of Global Affairs,” said Premier Dalton McGuinty in a letter read during the ceremony.

The new site will serve as a home for the Munk School of Global Affairs and a gateway to the University for visiting delegations, heads of state and experts from around the world.