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Visitors from the DRC Democratic Republic of the Congo
There aren't many world contexts as complex as the DRC. Poverty, sexual violence, civil unrest, armed factions, and a legacy of deadly struggle over its vast mineral wealth plague the country.
Yet, last month, we experienced hope in the form of two visitors from the DRC - MCC partners who reminded us that while the Congolese state may be in critical condition, the heart of its civil society still beats strongly.
Passionate, resilient, and dynamic people are dedicated to navigating their way through the complex maze of issues in search of sustainable solutions to cure what ails their country.
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Parliamentary Business
Bill C-31: Refugee / Immigration
On April 23, Bill C-31, known as the Protecting Canada's Immigration System Act, passed second reading in the House of Commons.
As with most bills, it was then referred to a Parliamentary committee for further study - in this case the House of Commons Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration. Members of the committee began hearing testimony from witnesses on April 30.
Although strong criticism is being expressed by refugee advocates - including MCC - it is anticipated that the government will push the bill through in time to take effect by the end of June, just before previously approved refugee system reform legislation would take effect.
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Get Involved
World Fair Trade Day, May 12
Men and women around the world have a simple dream - to earn an honest living, to provide for their children and to be gainfully employed in a job that brings dignity and joy.
Ten Thousand Villages partners with thousands of talented artisans in healthy and fair business relationships.
Have you recently purchased a Fair Trade product or switched to a Fair Trade brand? If so, let the world know about it.
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New Resources
This is a good and important read, speaking clearly about the complicated reality faced by NGOs. Its basic premises are:
- Governmental policy along with those of the World Bank and the IMF determine aid priorities. At times, when the IMF and WB call for (or insist on) austerity programs in Southern countries, NGOs are called in to fill in the gaps.
- In addition, government priority countries and themes determine NGO practice. For example, if CIDA highlights 20 countries of focus and 3 areas of involvement, there will be a predominance of proposals submitted reflecting those countries and those priorities.
- The higher the dependency of a NGO on governmental funding (the authors state the average NGO in Canada is 60% or more dependent) the greater the responsiveness to government and the less their autonomy.
- When NGOs speak critically of the government, they only go so far, for fear that their aid will be cut.
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Quotation of the Month
"Ladies and gentlemen, resource development has vast power to change the way a nation lives.
It is also something which is tremendously responsive to the actions of government.
Today I want to talk to you briefly about how to maximize the value of this great industry for a country and its people."
-- Prime Minister Harper, addressing the Business Summit in Cartagena, Colombia, prior to the start of the Summit of the Americas, 14 April 2012 |
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Staff Update
Paul Heidebrecht, Director of Ottawa Office
One of the joys and
challenges of working for the Ottawa Office is the abundance of opportunities to learn from and contribute to interesting events.
Paul was in Toronto from April 27-28 to attend a
conference of academics and practitioners on "Human Rights and Social Justice" organized by the ICS Centre for Philosophy, Religion and Social Ethics in partnership with Emmanuel College.
On May 1 he joined Parliamentarians and several hundred other people of faith at the 47th annual National Prayer Breakfast in Ottawa.
On May 7 he will be back in Toronto to join fellow board members and supporters of KAIROS in an ecumenical service celebrating the ministry of Jennifer Henry, the new Executive Director of KAIROS.
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