A PUBLICATION OF THE ALBERTA COUNCIL FOR GLOBAL COOPERATION
SUMMER 2015
Strengthening Connections for a Stronger Sector Welcome back to the Alberta Council for Global Cooperation’s Connect newsletter! Since our last issue of the Connect, we’ve been busy strengthening how we reach out to and engage with our communities, and coming up with new plans for keeping our members up to date. Some of these changes include delivering regular quarterly updates to our membership using a webinar format, which we launched at the end of May with our first online session (you can access the recording at: https://icn.adobeconnect.com/ p727l41jhfq). We’ve also taken feedback received through our member surveys to focus the Connect on the information that is most useful to you in your work: “big picture” sector updates, as well as practical tools and resources. For that reason, this issue contains information on topics like the upcoming Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and 2015 campaigns to consider signing onto ahead of the federal election this fall. In addition to re-envisioning our communications, ACGC has continued to have a strong presence in Ottawa as the Albertan voice of our sector in recent months. While there, I have discussed our concerns with representatives from all parties, and attended launch events for the We Can Do Better 2015 campaign (led by the Canadian Council for International Cooperation), and the Inter-Council Network’s report on “Canadian Perspectives on International Development,” based on results from a poll cosponsored by Engineers Without Borders Canada. You can read more on both of those initiatives in this issue of Connect. The Inter-Council Network has also recently put forth a proposal to the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade, and Development (DFATD) for a LEAD Partnership Fund (LPF), which would see Councils from across Canada – including ACGC – administer funding to provide greater support to small and medium-sized CSOs. We are currently awaiting a response and confirmation, but expect to move ahead quickly on implementation if approved.
ACGC Executive Director Heather McPherson with her son Maclean at the National Press Gallery in Ottawa, sharing the results of the ICN poll.
We are optimistic that DFATD’s new Civil Society Partnership Policy is a great step towards enhanced collaboration DFATD has also shown strong support for the sector through the development of a new Civil Society Partnership Policy, released in February after a long period of consultation, and we are optimistic that this is a great step towards enhanced collaboration. Recent DFATD Calls for Proposal directed towards supporting improved economic opportunities in Ukraine and Honduras, in addition to their continued focus on Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health, have been welcome initiatives. DFATD also recently announced the organizations receiving renewed support for the International Youth Internship Program (IYIP), the International Aboriginal Youth Internships (IAYI) program, and the Volunteer Cooperation Program (VCP) – all programs that provide Canadians with opportunities to gain valuable international experience and make a meaningful difference. On a provincial level, you’ll know that we’ve recently experienced a significant change in government. The NDP has traditionally been supportive of international development and global citizenship work, so this is seen by many as a great opportunity to focus on forming new and strong relationships with Alberta’s new government from the start. At ACGC, we have put together a working group of Board members and other member
CONTENTS: Summer 2015 Issue
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ICN Poll Results: Canadian Perspectives on International Development 2015 Campaigns
The Sustainable Development Goals: A Summary and Timeline What’s Up at ACGC
ACGC in Pictures Current Membership
representatives who will be looking at how to develop these connections, and we are hiring a new Community Outreach and Government Relations Coordinator to provide members with support in this area. Expect to hear more on this over the coming months, and at our Annual Conference in September. Be sure to have a look at our other upcoming events in this issue, including a Patio Party at ACGC on August 13. We hope to see you there, and through other opportunities to engage this summer. By Heather McPherson, ACGC Executive Director
ICN Poll Results: Canadian Perspectives on International Development The report from a new poll cosponsored by the Inter-Council Network of Canada’s provincial and regional councils for international cooperation, including ACGC, was released in late April and gives a clear picture of what Canadians think about international development. Entitled Canadian Perspectives on International Development, the poll was conducted in January as part of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation’s Narrative Project in partnership with Engineers Without Borders Canada. The summary report shows some impressive statistics that can be used by members for their own campaigns and materials. For example, 94% of Canadians agree it is important to improve health, education and economic opportunity for the world’s poorest and a further 76% agree we have a moral obligation to help do so.
94% of Canadians agree it is important to improve health, education and economic opportunity for the world’s poorest
The report was presented at a Parliamentary Reception co-hosted by Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Development, MP Lois Brown, Official Opposition Critic for International Development, MP Hélène Laverdière, and Liberal Critic for International Development, MP Kirsty Duncan on Thursday, April 23, 2015. ACGC’s Executive Director Heather McPherson was in attendance.
This poll builds on similar polls conducted in Canada, such as the 2012 Canadian Engagement in Global Poverty Issues poll by the ICN, and those conducted in other G7 countries through the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation’s Narrative Project. The report can be accessed from the ACGC website under “Publications.” The full dataset is also available to members by request; contact communications@acgc.ca if you would like to obtain a copy.
2015 Campaigns Our upcoming federal election is an opportunity to bring issues around these significant global events to the table
2015 is a key year for civil society globally, in terms of climate change negotiations on the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in Paris in December, and the finalizing of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) this September (see more about the SDGs on the next page). In Canada, this year carries significant importance also because of our upcoming federal election in October, which is an opportunity to bring issues around these significant global events to the table, and also raise awareness on how they relate to and affect us here at home. Here are a few important campaigns initiated by our members and partners that you or your organization might consider signing onto:
WE CAN DO BETTER This campaign, initiated by the Canadian Council for International Co-operation (CCIC) in partnership with Beyond 2015, insists on stronger leadership toward a more sustainable & peaceful world, emphasizing Canadian leadership around three pillars: inequality and human rights, climate change and the environment, and women’s rights and gender equality. ACGC has officially endorsed the campaign, and is encouraging its members to follow suit. You can follow and promote the campaign through the hashtag #DoBetter2015 and handle @DoBetter2015. For more information and resources, check out the WCDB website at http://wecandobetter2015.ca, or find the campaign on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/WeCanDoBetter2015) and Twitter (@DoBetter2015).
UP FOR DATE / EVEN IT UP ACGC member Oxfam Canada has a leading role in the Up for Debate campaign, bringing together women’s organizations and their allies from across the country to make gender an issue in the 2015 federal election. This campaign covers issues from violence against women and girls, to economic inequality and the gender gap. The Even It Up campaign is spearheaded by Oxfam International, and focuses on the growth of extreme inequality across the planet. Learn more about Up for Debate at http://oxfam.ca/get-involved/ campaigns/debate or http://upfordebate.ca, and about Event It Up at http://www.oxfam.ca/get-involved/campaigns/even-it.
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POLITICS ASIDE ACGC member Engineers Without Borders Canada has initiated the Politics Aside campaign, which asks voters to demand that federal political candidates support increased Canadian international aid and a united movement towards the end of global poverty. Follow the campaign with the hashtag #PoliticsAside, or learn more and sign up through their Take Action website at http:// takeaction.ewb.ca.
RESULTS CANADA RESULTS Canada is running a “Putting Poverty in the Platform” Election 2015 campaign, that includes, among its asks, the prioritization of international development by committing to increasing aid spending, increased support for fighting diseases of poverty, and a focus on issues of water and sanitation, education and nutrition in order to improve the lives of women and girls worldwide. Learn more at http:// www.results-resultats.ca.
LEADNOW Leadnow is an independent advocacy organization that runs “peoplepowered” campaigns on various issues, particularly those focused on strengthening Canada’s democracy, addressing climate change, and building a fair economy that reverses the trend of growing inequality. They organize in communities across Canada and engage people in participatory decisionmaking. Find out more from their website at http://www. leadnow.ca.
VOICES-VOIX Voices-Voix is a non-partisan coalition of Canadians and more than 200 Canadian organizations committed to defending the right to dissent, advocacy and democratic space. The coalition, which ACGC has joined, believes that both citizens and governments have positive roles to play in supporting civil society. Sign the Declaration at http://voices-voix.ca.
The Sustainable Development Goals: A Summary and Timeline One of the reasons 2015 is such an important year for civil society is because this is the year the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) will take over from the previous Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Because international development goals have been following the course of the MDGs since 2000, this is the first opportunity for United Nations member states to reassess these targets in 15 years. The soon to expire MDGs focused to a large extent on ending extreme poverty, preventable disease and hunger. While the SDGs – decided to be a replacement for the MDGs at a UN Conference on Sustainable in 2012 (Rio+20) – will call on nations to continue fighting extreme poverty, they will also challenge nations to address issues of climate change and the environment more adequately and to make clear links between environmental, social and economic goals. Of key importance also to the SDGs is the theme of universality, meaning that all goals and targets are applicable to all people in all countries. The latest “zero draft” outcome document of the SDGs was released in early June, and is available at https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org. It contains 17 draft goals - an increase from the previous 8 MDGs. ACGC has been involved in providing feedback on the post 2015 agenda as a member of the Canadian Council for International Cooperation (CCIC), the organization that is the national lead agency for Canada of Beyond 2015, a global civil society campaign that seeks a strong and legitimate successor framework to the MDGs. Learn more about Beyond 2015 at www.beyond2015.org. You can keep up-to-date on SDG progress and updates by following the UN Sustainable Development Knowledge Platform on social media at @SustDev on Twitter, and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/UNSDKP.
Photo by Jay Mantri
The following are a few milestone events in the coming months that will be key to shaping the final SDGs: JUNE 2015 The President of the General Assembly will convene a high-level event on climate change on June 29, 2015 in New York, to keep an ambitious climate agreement high on the agenda and to showcase climate action and initiatives in the lead up to the United Nations Conference on Climate Change (COP21) in Paris in December.
The SDGs challenge nations to make clear links between environmental, social and economic goals
JUNE – JULY 2015 There will be a series of post-2015 intergovernmental negotiations on the outcome document. SEPTEMBER 2015 The United Nations summit for the adoption of the post-2015 development agenda will take place September 25-27, 2015 in New York, and will be convened as a high-level plenary meeting of the General Assembly. The theme will be “Transforming the world: realizing the post-2015 development agenda.”
What’s Up at ACGC GLOBAL CITIZENSHIP SUMMER INSTITUTE August 10-14, 2015
ANNUAL CONFERENCE September 19-20, 2015
The Alberta Council for Global Cooperation invites all ACGC members to attend the 2nd Global Citizenship Summer Institute from August 10 -14, 2015. In 2014, ACGC held the first Global Citizenship Summer Institute (GCSI) in partnership with the Center for Global Citizenship Education and Research and the Aga Khan Foundation Canada. This was a huge success, drawing in 35 participants representing 33 different educational organizations from across Canada and the world. The second GCSI is a joint partnership between CGCER and ACGC, and will be held at the University of Alberta. GCSI is a great opportunity for anybody working with youth, in education or in the field of global citizenship to convene, network and share ideas and resources. Participants will learn about the foundations of global citizenship and how to effectively integrate it in their classrooms, schools, organizations and learning environments. See www.acgc.ca for more information and to register.
The ACGC Board of Directors and staff are excited to announce that we will be hosting the AGM and Annual Conference in Canmore, Alberta from September 19, 2015 to September 20, 2015. The theme of this event will be “What Works? Making Transformative Change Happen,” and we will be focusing on the changing environment in which civil society organizations in Alberta work. We will examine the new Sustainable Development Goals replacing the soon to expire Millennium Development Goals, and look at how the universality of these goals will impact our work both in Alberta and abroad. In addition, we will be discussing ways to further engage Albertans in our work, and how to leverage this exciting new time in Alberta to increase our effectiveness in the province and abroad. Please check our website for more information as we will be posting registration instructions in the coming weeks.
ACGC PATIO PARTY August 13, 2015 ACGC will be hosting an evening “Patio Party” on Thursday, August 13 from 4-6 pm at our office, located at #205, 10816A-82 (Whyte) Ave in Edmonton. Come by to relax on our patio with a beverage and get to know ACGC staff and other members. We would also love to show you our new office space and boardroom!
To keep informed of all upcoming ACGC events, as well as the events and activities of our members, subscribe to our biweekly e-Bulletin newsletter from the top of our homepage: www.acgc.ca.
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ACGC in Pictures At ACGC, we’re always on the move! Here are some photos of our activities over the past few months. If you would like us to join you at a future activity or event, please let us know at membership@acgc.ca. Left: 2015 Top 30 Under 30s recognized by Edmonton City Council. Right: Launch of the We Can Do Better campaign on Parliament Hill (photo by Canadian Council for International Cooperation).
Left: Interactive workshop and NGO Fair at Jasper Place High School. Right: Bike-a-thon fundraiser at Ross Sheppard High School in support of Sombrilla International Development Society.
Left: ACGC Development Drinks event in Edmonton. Centre: Mennonite Central Committee Alberta’s “Planting Peace” program. Right: International Youth Leadership Summit, presented by the Calgary Board of Education.
All photos by ACGC staff, unless otherwise noted.
ACGC Connect is published by the Alberta Council for Global Cooperation with the financial assistance of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada (DFATD). The Alberta Council for Global Cooperation (ACGC) is a coalition of voluntary sector organizations located in Alberta, working locally and globally to achieve sustainable human development. We are committed to international cooperation that is people-centred, democratic, just, inclusive, and respectful of the environment and indigenous cultures.
Suite 205, 10816A - 82 Avenue Edmonton, AB T6E 2B3 Tel: 780.988.0200 | Fax: 780.988.0211 Email: admin@acgc.ca Visit our website: www.acgc.ca @ACGCNow facebook.com/ACGCNow youtube.com/ACGCNow Program undertaken with the financial support of the Government of Canada provided through Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada (DFATD) Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada
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Affaires étrangères, Commerce et Développement Canada
ACGC CURRENT MEMBERSHIP JUNE 2015 Action International Ministries • Ainembabazi Children’s Project • Alberta Teachers’ Association • Altamas for Peace and Development Association • Bridges of Hope International Network of Development Agencies • Calgary Board of Education Global Learning Program • Canada World Youth • Canadian Association for Participatory Development • Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace • Canadian Department of Peace Initiative • Canadian Humanitarian Organization for International Relief • Canadian Moravian Mission Society • Canadian Peacemakers International • Canadian Women for Women in Afghanistan • Caro-Canadians Reaching Out to the World’s Children Foundation • CAUSE Canada • CEIBA Association • Centre for Affordable Water and Sanitation Technology • Centre for Global Citizenship Education and Research • Change for Children Association • Crossroads International • Cuso International • energy4everyone Foundation • Engineers Without Borders - Canada • Ghost River Rediscovery • Global Education Program, University of Alberta International • Human Development Foundation • International Centre for Development Learning • John Humphrey Centre for Peace and Human Rights • Keiskamma Canada Foundation • Light Up the World • Maharashtra Seva Samiti Organization • Mahatma Gandhi Canadian Foundation for World Peace • Marda Loop Justice Film Festival • Mennonite Central Committee Alberta • Micah Centre (King’s University College) • Minkha Knitters Cooperative • Mission of Mercy • Nafasi Opportunity Society • One Child’s Village • One! International Poverty Relief • Operation Eyesight Canada • Optometry Giving Sight • Oxfam Canada • Rainbow for the Future • Rainbow of Hope for Children • ReadAfrica • Rotary Club of Edmonton • Sahakarini InterWorld Education & Development Association • Samaritan’s Purse Canada • Sinkunia Community Development Organization • Somali - Canadian Education & Rural Development Organization • Sombrilla International Development Society • STOP TB Canada • Tools for Schools Africa Foundation • Trebi Kuma Ollennu Foundation for Community Development • True Vision Ghana • United Nations Association in Canada • Women’s Empowerment International Foundation • World Fit for Children - Alberta Chapter