What compels us to action
Our work in political advocacy starts with a simple decision – a refusal to accept the injustice of global poverty. We believe that EWB has a role to play in re-imaging our country’s approach to development issues. The simplicity, however, ends there.
Our Approach
Our approach is centered on bringing people to the forefront of our development policies. When we hear about “billions living in poverty”, we’re really talking about billions of individual people – people with their own characteristics, their own flaws and quirks, their own families and friends and their own aspirations.
Our Choice
As citizens, we get the policies we ask for, and we get the policies we deserve. The choice is ours: to remain silent and thus endorse those same decisions we often complain about, or to use our voices and articulate a compelling alternative.
James Orbinski, Former President of Medecins Sans Frontieres, recently wrote,
“As a citizen, I can assume my responsibility for the public world – the world of politics – not as a spectator, but as a participant who engages and shapes it.”
And so it is for us – that we must make a decision to shape the decisions of our country, combining both a thorough understanding of the issues along with a breadth of techniques to accomplish our objectives. This is essentially what political advocacy is about.
The Government’s Role
It is important for all of us at EWB to acknowledge that our government plays a major role in developing countries throughout the world. If we are not there to ensure our country is contributing to dynamic solutions as opposed to problematic, ineffective aid, then who will? Consider, for instance, that last year alone the Government of Canada spent roughly $1.4 billion in foreign aid in Africa – we need to ensure these investments are cutting edge and contributing effectively and efficiently to poverty reduction.
There was a time – years ago now – when Canada was looked to for leadership on the international stage. We led with our ideas and were deeply respected for our pragmatic, compassionate approach to solving crucial challenges in the developing world. Canadians could be proud. Still, times have changed and Canada is fast losing relevance as an international player.
Lead by Action
We need a new sophisticated engagement that re-positions Canada as a valued partner and innovator in addressing complex global development challenges. We need a Canada that refuses to accept the unacceptable – leading by action at the forefront of international service.
