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Contributor: ninja
Date: 2003-02-07 21:31:13
The question of the irrelevancy should be at the core of any attempt to
review our foreign policy. The first is concerned with the protection of
Canada's security within a stable global framework. DFAIT has neither the
resource nor the mandate to do so. Canada's security is assured by the
security community (local, provincial and federal police, CSIS, CSE, PCO).
DFAIT contributes to the emancipation of world citizens by promoting and
implementing human-rights oriented programs (land-mines treaty, ICJ,
aboriginal rights, etc..) with its partners from the NGOs community and the
civil society. DFAIT is thus not the only actor but a mediator providing
security. The first pillar (and a pillar adopted by CIDA as well) should be:
The contribution to the emancipation of world citizens.
The second: promotion of prosperity and employment. For whom? Do Canadians
benefit by the attraction of foreign investment in Canadian firms? Yes. The
impact on the remaining billions of the world citizens could be seriously
questioned. The events of 9/11 have been a wake up call to many Canadians
and ami(e)s Qubcois, who have begun to question and speak out against the
increasing gap between the consumption patterns of North America and by the
unbelievable reality that 1 fifth of the world inhabitants, especially
children, are malnourished and fight everyday for survival.
The second pillar should be (and here again adopted in the future Red Book
III): the promotion of globalization with a human face: which results in the
increased utilization of immigration laws, the encouragement of good
governance in fragile countries and the recognition that a unprecedented
amount of Canadians, especially our youth, are passionately committed to the
promotion of human equity and sustainable international development. The
prosperity at home is conditional to the world countries growth.
Finally the third pillar: the promotion of values and culture that Canadians
cherish. I like this one: except DFAIT should hold much more consultation
(and not just with experts) through its Policy planning division on what
Canadians like about their culture and values and what can it bring to other
people.
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