Emphasizes the importance of civil society organizations in international development and humanitarian assistance.
February 5, 2015 – Ottawa, Ontario – Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada
Today, the Honourable Christian Paradis, Minister of International Development and La Francophonie, at the Canadian Council for International Cooperation Leaders’ Forum, announced the launch of Canada’s International Development and Humanitarian Assistance Civil Society Partnership Policy.
This policy demonstrates Canada’s commitment to collaborate effectively with civil society to increase development results, reduce poverty and advance democracy and human rights.
It incorporates the feedback of more than 400 Canadian civil society organizations from an extensive external consultation process, and outlines the guiding principles for cooperation and the overall objectives of Canada’s development engagement with civil society organizations. Key objectives of the policy include facilitating an enabling environment for civil society in developing countries and fostering Canadian leadership in international development and innovation.
“Millions of lives have been saved through effective partnerships with Canadian civil society organizations. Canadians can be proud of those results,” said Minister Paradis.
“Canada is committed to protecting and promoting an enabling environment for civil society so that together we can continue to save lives. That is why we are adopting a formal policy that recognizes the contributions of Canadian and international development civil society organizations.”
“As part of our efforts to build multi-stakeholder dialogue, we will also form a ministerial advisory council with representatives from civil society, the private sector and academia,” added Minister Paradis.
Canada is committed to working with a wide range of stakeholders, including the private sector and other governments, to find innovative solutions to pressing development challenges and to deliver concrete results for those most in need, especially in the area of maternal, newborn and child health, Canada’s top development priority.
Maxime Robert
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of International Development and La Francophonie
343-203-6238
maxime.robert@international.gc.ca
Media Relations Office
Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada
343-203-7700
media@international.gc.ca
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