Africa's Renaissance - Seminar at Carleton University, October 31, 1 - 2:30PM

The Africa-Canada Forum (Canadian Council for International Cooperation), the Halifax Initiative & the Institute of African Studies present a critical discussion regarding economic growth, aid and sustainable development in Africa. Speakers include Tetteh Hormeku-Ajei (Third World Network), James Henry (formerly McKinsey & Co.) and Vitalice Meja (Reality of Aid).

Bridge to South Korea: Global civil society meeting on the G20

Bridge to South Korea

Held in Toronto, on Monday and Tuesday, June 21-22, 2010, just ahead of the G8 Summit in Huntsville and the G20 Summit in Toronto, this meeting was intended as a strategy session for civil society organizations, platforms and networks from many G20 countries (and beyond) to discuss diverse perspectives on both the G20 as an institution and priorities with respect to its agenda.

As the outcome of an initial G20 strategy meeting in Washington DC in April of 2010 among various groups, the intention of this broader meeting of national, regional and international networks was three-fold:

  • To develop a greater understanding of the key issues on the G20 agenda as well as alternative agendas seeking to influence the G20;
  • To strengthen and solidify strategic connections among G20 and non-G20 countries in the lead up to the South Korean and French G20 meetings and strengthen the capacities of networks to develop their own analysis and strategies for confronting the G20;
  • To develop concrete ideas and proposals for collaboration with South Korean colleagues for the November Summit.

MEETING DETAILS

Bridge to South Korea

Held in Toronto, on Monday and Tuesday, June 21-22, 2010, just ahead of the G8 Summit in Huntsville and the G20 Summit in Toronto, this meeting was intended as a strategy session for civil society organizations, platforms and networks from many G20 countries (and beyond) to discuss diverse perspectives on both the G20 as an institution and priorities with respect to its agenda.

As the outcome of an initial G20 strategy meeting in Washington DC in April of 2010 among various groups, the intention of this broader meeting of national, regional and international networks was three-fold:

  • To develop a greater understanding of the key issues on the G20 agenda as well as alternative agendas seeking to influence the G20;
  • To strengthen and solidify strategic connections among G20 and non-G20 countries in the lead up to the South Korean and French G20 meetings and strengthen the capacities of networks to develop their own analysis and strategies for confronting the G20;
  • To develop concrete ideas and proposals for collaboration with South Korean colleagues for the November Summit.

MEETING DETAILS

Event: Climate Change and Poverty at G8/G20 - April 28, 2010

Climate Change and Poverty: Off the Table?

In the wake of the financial crisis, countries around the world have cut back on their commitments to combat climate change and poverty. As the G8/G20 leaders prepare to gather in June, what are the challenges and opportunities for getting these issues back on the table?

Presenters:
Charles Abugre, Director of Campaigns for the Millennium Development Goals, United Nations Development Program
Gauri Sreenivasan, Policy Coordinator, Canadian Council for International Co-operation

Wednesday, April 28th 7:00pm - 9:00pm
The University of Ottawa - Pavillion Desmarais
55 Laurier East, Room 1120 (First Floor)

For more information please contact Caroline Foster at cfoster@kairoscanada.org

Co-sponsored by:
Canadian Council for International Co-operation - Africa Canada Forum
Halifax Initiative
KAIROS: Canadian Ecumenical Justice Initiatives
School of International Development and Global Studies

Event: Parliamentary roundtables on the G8/G20 Agendas - April 20, 26 and 27, 2010

Parliamentary Roundtables on the G8/G20 Agendas

2010 is an important and unique moment for Parliamentarians to engage with Canadians on some of the most important global issues facing our planet and our future.  On June 25th, 2010, Canada will play host to leaders from the Group of Eight countries in Muskoka, followed by a meeting of G20 leaders in Toronto on June 26-27.

To date, there has been little discussion among parliamentarians about the themes leading up to the 2010 summits, and Canadian civil society is looking to engage members from all parties in a discussion around some of the issues highlighted in our civil society platform, An Agenda for Global Development: G8/G20 Civil Society Coalition Platform, endorsed by over 60 organizations across the country.  The platform discusses specific, measurable, realistic recommendations to put poverty eradication, economic recovery for all and environmental justice at the centre of the international agenda.

To facilitate the conversation, Canadian civil society is organizing three parliamentary roundtables to discuss party perspectives on climate change, the financial crisis and the millennium development goals (MDGs). The Roundtables will occur as the G20 Finance Ministers meet in Washington, as G8 Development Ministers meet in Halifax and as Canada hosts the Africa Partnership Forum in Toronto.

Roundtable 1: Climate change
When:     Tuesday, April 20th, 2010 - 9:00 am –11:00 am
Where:    Room 2-2, Booth Building, 165 Sparks Street, Ottawa

Roundtable 2: Global financial crisis
When:     Monday, April 26th, 2010 - 5:00 pm –7:00 pm
Where:    Room 2-2, Booth Building, 165 Sparks Street, Ottawa

Roundtable 3: Millennium Development Goals
When:     Tuesday, April 27th, 2010 - 9:00am –11:00am
Where:    Room 2-2, Booth Building, 165 Sparks Street, Ottawa

ROUNDTABLE DETAILS

Canadian G8 G20 Civil Society Platform

Roundtable Agendas

Moderator, MP and Expert Bios 

Podcasts

Event: Conference on Corporate Accountability in Canada’s Extractive Industries Operating Abroad - November 3, 2009

Up to the Challenge: a Multi-Stakeholder Conference on Corporate Accountability in Canada’s Extractive Industries Operating Abroad

One-day, Multi-stakeholder Conference on Corporate Accountability in Canada’s Extractive Industries Operating Abroad, co-sponsored by the Canadian Network on Corporate Accountability and the Mining Association of Canada.


When: Tuesday November 3, 2009, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM
Where: Holiday Inn, Plaza la Chaudière, 2 rue Montcalm, Gatineau, Québec
Who should attend: Federal Government officials, civil society and industry representatives, academics and students, Members of Parliament and media
Simultaneous interpretation will be available for the morning plenary and for one afternoon panel / discussion group.
Lunch will be provided on site.
To register: Conference Registration is closed. Pre-registration is required.
For further information: contact Jean Christie

Event: Conference on What's missing in the response to the global financial crisis? - October 29-20, 2009

Since September 2008, when the financial crisis took on global dimensions, the Group of Twenty has met three times at the level of Heads of State, and with a seeminly impressive array of commitments on tax issues, emergency finance, trade finance, global governance, regulating private capital, and redefining new roles for existing and new global institutions. But what is missing in their response to the global crisis? Who are the real winners and losers? What has really changed, and what hasn't? And are the levels of change commensurate with the tectonic shifts taking place in the global economy and with the degree of impact on the ground? Perhaps more importantly, are these the type of changes to ensure a crisis like this never happens again?

What: What's missing in the response ot the global financial crisis? 
Rethinking the international financial system during a time of crisis

Who: Organized by the Halifax Initiative Coalition; co-hosted by The North-South Institute and the University of Ottawa.

When: October 19 - 20, 2009.

Why: The conference will look at current responses to the financial crisis, identify where those responses are falling short, and propose some policy alternatives ahead of Canada hosting the Group of Eight Summit in 2010.

IN THIS SECTION

CONFERENCE DETAILS

Event: Conference on The Changing Face of Global Development Finance - February 1-2, 2008

The face of Global Development Finance is changing. The international financial system has entered into a remarkable period of transition, relative to a few years ago. Numerous countries have repaid their debts to the IMF ahead of schedule, leaving the Fund with a US$103 million shortfall in fiscal year 2007. Many of these same countries have indicated that they will not return to the IMF because of the burdensome conditions that it imposes on debtors.

In its place, new institutions and new sources of finance are emerging. Increasingly, Southern governments are seeking real alternatives to the Bank and Fund: a Bank of the South is emerging in Latin America, an $80 billion Monetary Fund has been created in Asia, and both China and India are providing Africa with condition-free financing that far surpasses current Bank allocations. But these new alternatives are not without their own challenges.

What: The Changing Face of Global Development Finance – Impacts and implications for aid, development, the South and the Bretton Woods Institutions

Who: Organized by the Halifax Initiative Coalition; co-hosted by the Canadian Council for International Co-operation, The North-South Institute and the Reality of Aid Network.

When: February 1 - 2, 2008.

Where: Rideau Room, Sheraton Ottawa Hotel, 150 Albert Street (between Metcalfe and O'Connor), Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

Why: The conference will look at some of the emerging alternatives, as well as the opportunities and challenges they present, with respect to the current international financial system and its institutions.

Conference fees: $40 per day for non-Halifax Initiative members; $35 per day for HI members

 IN THIS SECTION

CONFERENCE DETAILS

Event: Regulating Canadian Mining Companies Overseas - May 30, 2007

PDF Poster


When: 7:00 - 9:00 pm, Wednesday, May 30th , 2007 .
Where:
Christ Church Cathedral Hall, 420 Sparks Street, Ottawa.
What:
Dirty Waters - Regulating Canadian Mining Companies overseas
Theme:
What should our government do to prevent Canadian companies from committing environmental and human rights abuses overseas?
Speakers:
Maria Alvarado of Cerro de San Pedro, Mexico, Joan Carling of the Phillipines and Thabo Madihlabai of South Africa

Karyn Keenan of the Halifax Initiative will moderate on behalf of the Canadian Network for Corporate Accountability & KAIROS

Event: 2006 National Roundtables - June 14 - November 16, 2006

Background | Roundtable Process | When and Where | How to Participate | Monthly Updates


Background
The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade (SCFAIT) tabled, in June 2005, a landmark report on Mining in Developing Countries and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

The report recommended that the Canadian government move away from its current voluntary approach to CSR. It called for policies that condition public assistance for Canadian companies on compliance with international human rights and environmental standards, including core labour rights. The report also identified the need for legislation to hold companies accountable for their actions overseas.

The Government failed to adopt the majority of SCFAIT’s recommendations, but it did commit to hosting a series of national roundtables. These Roundtables were to identify ways for Canadian extractive companies to meet or exceed international CSR standards and best practices.

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