As a fly on
the wall, or as my badge has it, a volunteer, at the Annual Forum of the
Canadian Council for International Cooperation (CCIC) I’ve gotten to listen in
on discussions and debates on the most pressing issues to Canada’s development
CSO (Civil Society Organization) community. It is clear that Canada’s foreign
development sector is entering some interesting times, and I do mean interesting
in the most attention-grabbing form. Not only is CIDA amalgamating with DFAIT,
but also the global development landscape is changing in front of our very
eyes. The economic ascension of developing countries is rearranging the
traditional relationship between providers and receivers of aid. With this in
mind, I have witnessed discussions with an atmosphere of urgency, but also with
a lining of optimism. As this forum goes on I hope this urgency will lead to a
sense of a common purpose.
One of the
more grand ideas behind this year’s gathering is the idea of shared
responsibilities, or as Mathias Fiedler (whose paper provides a fundament for
some of the discussions) puts it, the “One world approach”. Keynote speaker
Michael Edward describes this concept as a bridge. This bridge rests on
foundations that are equal at both ends and people are able to cross over in
both directions. Development needs to happen in both hemispheres with a global
participation and sense of responsibility. This week, over 150 leaders and
participants gather here in Ottawa to discuss where Canadian organizations can
fit into this picture.
This concept
of shared responsibilities got me thinking. How would I feel as a citizen of
Canada, if a group from for example China came to Ottawa to influence the
development of my surroundings? Obviously, the answer to this question depends
on the approach, methods, and area of interest (among many other factors) of
the organization in question. If the bridge allows passage both ways,
“developing” countries should be allowed to make what might at first be
unwelcome demands of “developed” countries. The first of these should probably
be to ask developed countries to stop referring to themselves as developed and
recognize their own need for change. As Kathy Vandergrift proposed to the
forum’s emerging leaders, maybe Canada is at a point where instead of sending
aid workers abroad, we need to ask other countries to come here to help us
reinvigorate the public discourse on for example sustainable consumption.
Canadians
should not be afraid to challenge themselves, particularly in handling some of
the more uncomfortable discussions. This means that aid should be an important
topic at all levels of society, and also that us in the CSO environment should
be open to discussing new development methods. As these ideas are being
discussed here at the forum, I hope they do not get caught up in too much
idealism (and perhaps a fear of offending), but that they also remain well
planted in the reality of things. As Mr. Fiedler warns, the development
discussion has a tendency to foster sycophants and self-congratulation. The
CCIC has done a good job in seeking to avoid this, particularly through Wednesday’s
debate.
A particular
point of contention has been Canada’s role in the changing aid landscape. Our
government is shaping its policies to try to keep up (or withdraw as some will
have it) with these external changes. How can the new combination of strategic
interests, trade, and aid be successful? Wednesday’s debate participants seemed
to share the opinion that the new structure is functional, but depends on the
actors inserted into it (think passionate leaders). Lucien Bradet ceded that
the current personnel did not make his job of arguing for the new policy
easier. Across the table, John Mckay to some extent in agreement, accepted that
a cross party commitment, as seen in Britain, would make the new policy more
persuasive.
In agreement
or not, the situation remains that the Canadian CSO community will imminently
find itself working within this framework. After hearing some of the ideas
discussed today, I am left with the image of a turning of the ages. As the
extinction of the dinosaurs brought on the ascension of the mammals, I am sure
that the restructuring of the Canadian aid policies will see the fall of some
outdated ideas, but I am also hopeful that it will see the rise of new
innovative methods that will strengthen the plethora of Canadian aid
organizations.
After taking
in the impressions from the first day of the Annual Forum, I am left, after an
influx of ideas, at a point of reserved optimism. Yes Canada’s CSO community is
entering uncharted waters, however, from the signs of today’s discussion, it is
not doing so without a will to adapt and prepare for a thorough exploration of
these new territories.
Peder Soeraas
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