Retired Teacher Urges CIDA to Support CCIC
A letter from Marian Dodds, Retired Teacher, to Bev Oda, Minister for International Cooperation
Bev Oda
Minister for International Cooperation
Government of Canada
Dear Ms Oda
I am writing to urge you to expedite CIDA funding for the Canadian Council for International Cooperation (CCIC). CCIC is absolutely a necessary voice in Canada for NGO’s working in international development and I was very upset to learn that their funding is in jeopardy.
Over the past few years it seems Canada’s foreign policy has been modified and fragmented in ways that I believe are antithetical to what most Canadians believe to be our role in the world. When I worked for CIDA as a communications consultant on a part time basis in the late 80’s and early 90’s I was well aware of the surveys that were done on Canadians’ attitudes toward development and felt very proud of our compassion for and commitment to the world at large. While I expect there have been some shifts over the past decade, I do recall the Environics survey that was done a few years back that showed that young Canadians were just as passionate and concerned about the world as my generation. Most recently, I have overseen the implementation of several CIDA funded Global Classroom Initiatives across British Columbia and I can say without reservation that teachers and students care deeply about the inequities in this world and are working very hard, using educationally sound, fair-minded practice to engage youth in reasoned critical thinking about the complexities of global problems and actions that support solutions. I cannot imagine that the actions of the current government in cutting funding to a wealth of Canadian expertise through the de-funding of NGOs is reflective of what the average Canadian citizen expects of his or her government on the international development front. NGOs working in international development should be seen by government as a welcome contributor to policy discussions.
In 1985 I attended the United Nations Decade for Women NGO Forum in Nairobi, Kenya and learned first hand about participatory democracy as women from around the globe talked policy on equality, development and peace. On the ground I have been involved in development projects involving teachers in Sierra Leone and Belize and home economists Tanzania. For several years in the 90’s I served as Vice-President for International Development for the Canadian Home Economics Association where we oversaw a budget from CIDA’s professional partnership branch. I can assure you that our volunteer efforts resulted in successful and sustainable projects in over 12 countries and that we were accountable for every penny spent. In evaluating projects and developing new proposals we often relied on the excellent support of CCIC background materials and research. Working at the grassroots level to build capacity in partnerships with host country NGOs and unions I saw results in environmental sustainability and gender equity as well as educational improvements and nutrition/health improvements. During those experiences, I felt very proud to be a Canadian and to speak well of my government’s priorities and objectives. In those days Canada was well respected by our development partners.
In any situation where a Canadian works voluntarily overseas there are opportunities to learn and grow fro experience and naturally this may result in reflections that identify flaws and suggest improvements to policy and practice. I do not believe that one can have such experiences without seeing the bigger picture and the interconnectedness of government policies and priorities with the actions that occur around the world through funded programs and aid. The voices of those with actual development experience cannot be undervalued; rather they should be welcomed as thoughtful and informed contributions toward discussion and debate on the future of Canada’s development assistance. I believe that until recently, national NGOs and, in particular CCIC as an umbrella group, have been able to provide reasoned and proactive suggestions to inform debate and to assist in the development of solid policy that is reflective of Canadian values, in particular those related to equality, justice, rights and peace within a democratic model. The current global situation is shifting and complex and we need a cohesive and comprehensive development strategy that will deliver results while reflecting Canadian values. I am very concerned to learn that your government has politicized the situation to such a degree that these valuable voices are being silenced and in some cases punished with funding cuts because they have made suggestions and advocated for positions and policies that may not please the current government. To me this is an example of immaturity in government. I find it very ironic that CIDA proclaims we are working toward "good governance" and democratic process abroad but do not practice them at home with our own citizens.
We live in a world mired in serious problems and we need all of our best thinkers at the table to work toward a consensus on how we, as Canadians, can contribute to a better world. I suggest that for good policy to be formulated it is absolutely crucial that we put our heads together, debate, discuss and listen with respect to those who have experience doing the actual work in the developing world as well as to those with the political power and the academic analyses to inform decisions. We also need to be pragmatic about what we can do, be prudent with the funds we have and be open to learning from those with positions different from our own. This is how good policy gets made in a democracy. To silence people who have valuable knowledge and skills in the field can only lead to a narrow and self serving position that in the long run will be a failure. It would make me very sad to see Canada’s contribution to international development watered down to simply reacting to crises with headline grabbing announcements of humanitarian aid and a patchwork of projects that merely serve to further Canada’s political goals and economic welfare, rather than to take a long term, pro-active approach to global poverty reduction and peacebuilding.
I urge you to immediately restore full funding to the CCIC and other Canadian NGOs working in international development and to invite them to the table to engage in critical deliberations about how best our country can serve the developing world through effective long-term policy and adequate sustainable funding.
I look forward to a reply from you that is beyond a form letter.
Marian Dodds
Retired Teacher and soon to be a CUSO-VSO volunteer in Africa
