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Question 13: ConclusionPlease respond to the paper as a whole. |
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| Contributor: | RoyalCommonwealthSociety |
| Date: |
2003-05-01 12:46:39 |
| Answer: |
Dear Minister Graham,
A BRIEF FOR THE DIALOGUE ON FOREIGN POLICY FROM THE ROYAL COMMONWEALTH SOCIETY OF CANADA
April 2003
Founded in 1868, the Royal Commonwealth Society is an international organization with some 10,000 members in 37 countries, 6500 in the UK and over 2000 in eleven Branches across Canada. In addition to promoting the Commonwealth, its values and celebrating its diversity, the RCS is a forum for debate on the major issues of the day.
The RCS of Canada welcomes this opportunity to urge the Government of Canada to increase its support for the Commonwealth and the that play such a key role in this unique multilateral organization and to explore a few of the ways this could be done.
The Commonwealth is a voluntary Association of 54 independent countries ranging in size from Tuvalu (10,000) to India (over a billion). About half of the total population of 1.7 billion is younger than 25. This rich diversity is woven together by a common working language and similar systems of law, public administration and education. The Commonwealth is dedicated to promoting democracy and good governance, human rights and the rule of law and sustainable social and economic development. This provides a unique opportunity for dialogue and bridge_building in a number of areas.
Canada should devote even more effort to working with the Commonwealth to develop and improve "soft power" techniques for conflict prevention and resolution and sharing these experiences with other multilateral organizations. There is a real need to educate the public and the media about these techniques.
The Commonwealth helps developing countries, but it also helps Canada too. Ties between Commonwealth countries help Canada to promote its views within larger organisations such as the United Nations. With the enlargement of the European Union in 2004, Canada will have three Commonwealth members (UK, Cyprus and Malta) to represent its interests on issues such as high_sea fishing and agrifood. Commonwealth countries represent a substantial vote in organizations such as the WTO.
The Commonwealth and La Francophonie are unique, well placed and organizations to influence and help coordinate the delivery of programs to Africa which is one of Canada's global priorities. (18 of the Commonwealth's 54 member countries are from the region).
However, Canada's support for the Commonwealth appears to be declining. Canada used to be the largest contributor to the Commonwealth Fund for Technical Co_operation (CFTC), the development fund for the Commonwealth. It is now second to the United Kingdom. Canada's aid budget increased this year but not its contributions to the Commonwealth. Canada's contributions to Commonwealth development assistance is C$12.0 m __ the same level it has been for three years. Following the New Zealand summit in 1995, both Australia and New Zealand have managed to restore the level of their contributions in their national currencies to the level that prevailed in 1991/92 (the target level). Canada should follow the lead of Australia and New Zealand and return its contribution to its 1991/92 level (C$17.2 m).
While Canada is a vocal proponent of multilateralism on political issues, this does not appear to be the case when it comes to development dollars which it prefers to spend unilaterally. Multilateral aid is the only "un_tied" way to deliver assistance. Assistance from other less developed Commonwealth Countries should be encouraged. Africa could get help from India etc.
Trade liberalization is another area Canada should explore perhaps first with developing Commonwealth countries.
The developing countries of the Commonwealth, especially small states, have always strongly expressed their appreciation for Canada's role in the association. These include countries in Canada's own backyard: the Caribbean. Small states benefit from more than 60% of the Commonwealth's assistance.
Financial contributions are not the only way the Government can show support for the Commonwealth. A recent editorial in the Ottawa Citizen pointed out the sharp contrast between the press release and ceremony marking Canada's membership in La Francophonie and the lack of any fanfare or press release for Commonwealth Day. More public support such as that given by the Queen and Prime Minister of the UK would help raise the profile of the Commonwealth and attract more and younger members to the RCS and other Commonwealth organizations. The organizational structure and staffing of the International Organizations Bureau which has one division for Francophonie and one for the Commonwealth and the UN together does not reflect the priorities that should be given to these multilateral organizations. Members of Commonwealth NGO's such as the RCS in Canada are deeply concerned when their governments at all levels do not demonstrate in various ways that the Commonwealth is a high enough priority.
In spite of this lack of priority, the RCS in Canada continues to try to promote the Commonwealth in a variety of ways. Although support for some direct costs such as travel and communications is provided by various government departments, the vast majority of the support in Canada comes from volunteers. See the web site rcscanada.org for more complete information.
Local Branches organize talks and events to inform the public about the Commonwealth and the issues of the Day The Ottawa Branch recently held a forum on Poverty and Malnutrition in Africa _ A Challenge to Canada and the Commonwealth.
The RCS of Canada maintains a mailing list which is used to mail some 2300 copies of Commonwealth Currents to individuals and organizations four times a year. We would very much like to expand this list to include every school, college and university library but funding is not available.
The RCS organizes the annual Commonwealth Essay competition which attracts over 600 entries from over 5500 schools around the world. Of the 19 winners in 2002, there were 2 from BC 1 from Ontario and 2 from Quebec. Branches organize local competitions in BC, Ontario Quebec and PEI. Some local Branches run their own contests and offer prizes as part of the overall process.
The RCS in Canada runs the Commonwealth Youth Service Awards for Canadian Heritage to recognize initiatives by youth under 30 who see a problem and do something to help. The Government of Canada should encourage the continuance and expansion of this important program.
The National Student Commonwealth Forum brings high school students from across Canada to a week of discussion, brainstorming and learning about different cultures, countries institutions and issues. Commonwealth countries are represented by students
who obtain first_hand insights from the High Commissions in Ottawa and briefing and workshops. They then participate in a model CHOGM where they try to reach on resolutions drafted by the delegates. There are similar events in BC and PEI. The NSCF is planned and organized by students with one adult facilitator.
One of the major activities throughout the Commonwealth each year is the Celebration of
Commonwealth Day . Special multi_faith observances are held in Vancouver, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Halifax Charlottetown, and St. John's.
In each of the celebrations around the world, everyone will join in the reading of the affirmations which embody the core values of the Commonwealth.
1. We affirm that every person _ of whatever colour, race or creed or age _ possesses unique worth and dignity.
2.We affirm our respect for nature and that we will be stewards of the earth by caring for every part of it and for it as a whole.
3. We affirm our belief in justice for everyone and peace between peoples and nations.
4.We affirm love as the foundation of all human relationships.
5. We affirm that we each belong to our own nation and to the whole human family: to the service of both we pledge ourselves
We would like to get more publicity for all these events and local politicians could help a great deal.
There are many other things we would like to do such as establish Commonwealth Clubs in more universities and colleges, promote commonwealth trade, help establish RCS branches in countries which do not have any, help in the recruitment of students from Commonwealth countries, develop exchange progammes and involve more young people. We would like to develop more resource materials to support teaching about the
Commonwealth at all levels and are very encourage by the success of the web based material on demining.
There is much more we would like to say but time does not permit. Members of the RCS would be pleased to discuss these matters with DFAIT at any time.
Peter Meincke
National Co-Chai
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