"Hopelessness is a luxury only the rich can afford ... In this place we have to have hope, because if we didn't, there would be none." - A message offered by "friends in the Global South" to Dan Wiens, MCC Food Security and Livelihoods Coordinator.
Can Canada "do development" better?
February 7-13 is International Development Week in Canada, an annual event encouraging Canadians to learn about and contribute to international development. How is Canada doing in its development work internationally?
Official Development Assistance (ODA) refers to the money that Canada provides to promote economic development and welfare, usually in developing countries. Canada's ODA level has been trending downward since 2011. It currently stands below .3 percent of Gross National Income (GNI), while the internationally accepted target is .7 percent.
The Canadian Council for International Cooperation (CCIC), of which MCC is a member, has just released two briefs addressing this downward trend and making key recommendations about increasing Canada's ODA in real and predictable ways, and doing so in line with Canada's stated commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Predictable funding is necessary for programs to be implemented effectively.
To read the CCIC's briefs on ODA please see here and here.
Government business: Bombs or bread for Syria and Iraq?
During the 2015 election campaign, Justin Trudeau promised to end Canada's involvement in coalition led airstrikes in Syria and Iraq, but the new government has yet to reveal Canada's next steps in the region. Will these include armed combat, security sector training, humanitarian aid, or a combination? We expect these to be laid out more clearly in the coming weeks and months. See MCC Canada's letter to Prime Minister Harper in April 2015 on this topic.
In the meantime, the government has extended the matching funds (initiated by the previous government) for humanitarian aid for Syria and the surrounding region until February 29, 2016.MCC is working through partners to support families and communities directly impacted by the ongoing armed conflict.
MCC has joined with the Canadian Foodgrains Bank (CFGB) in a postcard campaign. Called Good Soil, this campaign urges the federal government to increase aid for agriculture - particularly aid that will assist small-scale farmers in the developing world. Supporting small-scale farmers is critical to reducing hunger and poverty, empowering women, and creating a more world.
Order postcards for your group or community and send them to the Prime Minister postage-free.
New resource: World Refugee Day resource
World Refugee Day is marked around the world each year on June 20, the anniversary of the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees. MCC is preparing a worship resource for churches to use around the time of World Refugee Day; it will include prayers and readings, sermon nuggets, stories and a brief accompanying video. The resource should be available by late April. Plan now to use it in June!
