THE world has changed since the birth of Nato in 1949, and although Cold War connotations may remain for some, Nato’s challenges now include antiterrorism naval operations in the Mediterranean, a training mission in Iraq and a substantial troop presence in Afghanistan and Kosovo.

From inside the Public Diplomacy Division of Nato, Megan Minnion, 32, the information officer for Canada and Iraq, works to raise the Alliance’s public profile and explain its political agenda. With six years as a reservist in the Canadian Army and an MBA focusing on strategic defence management under her belt, she is well equipped for the job. “Nato’s aim is to provide immediate protection for its members while attempting to shape the strategic environment in a way that is conducive to their interests,” she says. “It deals with defence issues, whether operations, training or destroying stock-piles of landmines.”

With Canada’s significant military presence in Afghanistan, part of her job is to handle her country’s perception of the conflict there, as well as analysing political, public and media environments. “I do my best to explain what Nato does. I host visits from student groups and academics, handle requests from the Canadian media as well as getting involved with communication projects. We set up model situations where students get together from all over the country and simulate some of Nato’s activities. It gives some idea of how the system works here at HQ.”

Beyond the confines of her Brussels office, Minnion gets the chance to work in the field and recently took a group of academics to Afghanistan. “People tend to see the country through the lens of Kandahar [where most of Nato’s Canadian troops are based] and we want to give a much bigger picture of the progress being made there. We showed them hospitals and schools – the areas where security is better – and they met locals as well as people in the government ministries.” She sees public diplomacy as trying to promote intellectual debate. “We want to create different perspectives and get people to discuss security challenges.

“The hardest thing about what I do is trying to desensitise yourself to the realities on the ground, particularly when folks that you work with in the Canadian Forces know soldiers who have been seriously injured or killed in action.”

With all Nato decisions taken jointly by its 26 member countries, coming to an agreement is a difficult diplomatic process, but, just back from giving a presummit lecture in Bucharest, Minnion is enthusiastic. “It’s a fast-paced job and very exciting. I love working in an international environment that is always intellectually stimulating. I love the travel, meeting people and discussing security issues with people from all over the world, and it’s rewarding when you finally see consensus on paper.”

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