FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
18 November 2017
Halifax, Nova Scotia — Halifax International Security Forum, North America’s leading foreign affairs and defence conference, today established a new prize honouring outstanding courage and leadership in public service.
“The Forum has always stood for the values of strong and courageous leadership in defence of freedom and democracy,” said Peter Van Praagh, President of the Halifax International Security Forum. “Nobody epitomizes courage in defending those values more than Senator McCain.”
“It is hard to overestimate the importance of John McCain’s extraordinary work over many decades, and in creating this award we aim both to honour his service and inspire others to follow his example,” Van Praagh added.
The John McCain Prize for Courage in Public Service will first be awarded at the Halifax International Security Forum’s 10th anniversary conference in November 2018.
Speaking at the Halifax Forum on Saturday morning, Ambassador Kurt Volker, Executive director at Arizona State University’s McCain Institute said:
“No matter where I travel in the world people come up to me and send best wishes to Senator McCain, and usually tell some story about how he touched their lives personally.”
“That is an incredible impact for one man to have. Now more than ever it is important to recognize and promote leaders who demonstrate the courage and integrity to stand for core values, as Senator McCain has done throughout his life.”
Halifax International Security Forum is an independent, non-profit, non-partisan organization based in Washington, DC. The Forum is made possible by the generous support from its partners, including the Government of Canada, and the Halifax Canada Club.
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Robin MacLachlan, Communications Manager, Halifax International Security Forum – (613) 294-6128
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