Inter Pares welcomes the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development’s (DFATD) consultative process on its new Draft Civil Society Partnership Policy. We welcome the opportunity to build a relationship between Canadian civil society organizations (CSOs) and DFATD that is based on mutual respect, and that recognizes the commitment of Canadian CSOs, and ultimately their Canadian constituencies, to building a world that is peaceful, equal and just.
CSOs have long made important contributions to global development and North-South understanding, long engaged the Canadian public as global citizens, worked collaboratively with government and have given Canada visibility through our programs around the world. CSOs have raised billions of dollars from the Canadian public in supporting their respective missions and mandates.
Furthermore, we recognize many instances where CSOs have had a strong and collegial relationship with the Canadian government. We appreciate that DFATD and its predecessors have supported and do support CSOs in changing the world for the better. We hope that this process will lead to better understanding between government and CSOs and greater trust.
Inter Pares supports many of the aspirations and commitments by the government in the Draft Civil Society Partnership Strategy document. We recommend the following modifications: