Quotation of the monthStaff 
Parliamentary

In light of a unilateral ceasefire in Colombia and the beginning of the end of more than 50 years of armed conflict, MCCer Anna Vogt shares this thought:

"Today, we remember that change is possible and say yes to peace, for today and for tomorrow."
 
MCC says peacebuilding should be at the centre of Canada's international assistance
 
This summer Global Affairs Canada (GAC) launched a comprehensive International Assistance Policy Review, inviting input on Canada's aid and development policies. This is the first review of its kind in almost 20 years and MCC was eager to participate.

In our written submission, we urged that Canada put peacebuilding at the centre of its international assistance program - specifically through more investments in conflict prevention, greater support for interreligious peacebuilding and psychosocial interventions, and leadership on the agenda of women, peace and security. We also outlined the necessity of incorporating a peace lens into all humanitarian and development programming, to ensure government, NGO and private sector actions do not exacerbate conflict dynamics.
 
Our submission also encouraged greater attention to reducing disaster risk reduction, a commitment and a timetable for attaining the official development assistance target of 0.7% of GNI, greater support for agriculture and small-holder farmers, and ensuring that Canadian commercial interests do not undermine human rights or genuine community development.
 
In addition to the International Assistance Policy Review, MCC staff from across Canada have participated in public consultations reviewing the work of a variety of governmental departments. Through our coalition involvements, we are also contributing to a submission to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRRC).
Colombia ceasefire
Government business: Human rights in Colombia

Parliamentary
Last week the government released its annual required Human Rights Impact Assessment on Canada's Free Trade Agreement with Colombia.
 
Early analysis suggests that, while the report describes the urgency of the human rights concerns and it incorporates more consultation than past reports, it still claims it is impossible to link Canadian trading and investment interests with human rights violations in Colombia. Moreover, it offers little to no mention of significant Canadian investment in the mining sector. Several months ago, members of Colombian civil society organizations released a shadow report (in Spanish) which included significant analysis on the mining sector.
 
All of this comes a month after a unilateral ceasefire between the FARC and the Government, the closest Colombia has come to ending more than 50 years of armed conflict so far in this peace process.
Take action: Sign petition to open Gaza!
OpenGaza campaign

Exactly two years after the last war, the situation in Gaza remains desperate. Only 10 percent of 11,000 homes destroyed have been rebuilt and 75,000 people are without a home. Eighty percent of the population depends on humanitarian assistance. Key obstacles to recovery are the Israeli-imposed blockade on Gaza and the restrictions on essential building materials allowed to enter Gaza.
 
Together with a consortium of other international aid agencies, MCC is calling for an end to the blockade and, specifically, the lifting of restrictions on wood, steel bars, cement and other essential building materials. Please view the video #OpenGaza and sign the petition which urges world leaders to press for action. Help us reach the target of 700,000 signatures.
On World Refugee Day, June 20, 2016, United Nation High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) released its latest Global Trends report on forced displacement. As of the end 2015, 65.3 million people are forcefully displaced, including 21.3 million refugees, 40.8 million internally displaced peoples and 3.2 million asylum seekers.
 
On September 19, 2016, the United Nations General Assembly will host U.S. a high level summit: Addressing Large Movements of Refugees and Migrants. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and U.S. President Barack Obama will play a prominent role. In anticipation, UN General Secretary Ban Ki Moon released this report, outlining the current global crisis and recommendations for member states.
Staff update

Staff
Parliamentary
June 7-11, Jenn, Bekah and Esther participated in the Global Mennonite Peacebuilding Conference and Festival hosted by Conrad Grebel University College. This special event brought together 200 peace practitioners, pastors, theologians, students and other interested folks from 20 countries to celebrate and reflect upon Mennonite peacebuilding around the world. Read a reflection on our blog.
Mennonite Central Committee | [email protected] |808-63 Sparks St. Ottawa ON K1P 5A6 | 613-238-7224 | mccottawa.ca
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