Citizens must become leaders in order to combat populism, says former diplomat

"[Populism is] an ideology, which means that it is an argument for gaining power," said Rowswell, president of the Canadian International Council.

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Rowswell served as a diplomat in Somalia, Iraq and Afghanistan, and was Canada's Ambassador to Venezuela from 2014 to 2017. He is also co-founder of Betterplace, an app aimed at mobilising citizens for civic action.

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"If ever there was a time that we need Canadian citizens to pay attention to what's happening in the world and to get engaged, it is now," he said.

"The best inoculation we have as a society is an active and engaged citizenry."

Rowswelltalked withThe Current's Anna MariaTremonti abouthis time as a diplomat andwitnessing therise of populism in recent years.

Listen to their full conversation at the top of this page.

Produced byThe Current'sIdellaSturino.