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Canada in the World: Canadian International Policy
Policy Discussions


Failed and Fragile States
eDiscussion Questions and Resources
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The Department of Foreign Affairs (FAC) is looking to engage Canadians across the country to provide their views on the topic of failed and fragile states through our online discussion group (open from Sept. 26th to Dec. 2nd).

The
International Policy Statement made failed and fragile states a new priority in Canadian foreign policy. We are now in the process of assembling the people and tools to implement the Statement. Below we pose some strategic questions that are of particular interest to the government on the topic of failed and fragile states. However contributions to the eDiscussion on any aspect of the topic are welcome.

 View eDiscussion open from September 26 to December 2, 2005

 To participate in the current eDiscussion, register here

 Already registered? Login here

 Information for Canadian Universities and Colleges
interested in participating

 Information for
International Universities and Colleges interested in participating


eDiscussion documents presented to Deputy Minister Peter Harder and the Foreign Affairs Executive Committee on Dec. 9th 2005:

 
eDiscussion Summary on Failed and Fragile States - PDF VERSION
 
Summary of the university Policy Position Papers - PDF VERSION
 Official Response to eDiscussion on Failed and Fragile States - PDF VERSION


eDiscussion Questions:

Canada's International Policy Statement and Failed and Fragile States
What are your thoughts/comments on the approach taken towards failed and fragile states in Canada's International Policy Statement?
 MORE
INFO: International Policy Statement - Failed and Fragile States: the New Challenge

Short vs long term commitment?
Prevention, stabilization and recovery operations in failed and fragile states tend to require a long term commitment of significant resources. How do we sustain the public and political commitment required to ensure our contribution to the state-building process is durable and effective?

Response criteria?
Canada does not have the capacity or resources to respond to every crisis or request. Under what conditions should we not assist a failed or fragile state?

 

Stability vs democracy?

Holding elections prior to the stabilization of the security situation and the development of a democratic political culture can contribute to instability. Given this, in cases where there are significant risks of destabilization, should Canada support undemocratic modes of rule in the medium-term in the interests of long-term stability and democracy?

 

Failed and Fragile Cities?

Many of the challenges associated with failed and fragile states can be traced to major urban centres. For example, stabilization efforts in cities are complicated by high population densities, the difficulty of locating combatants, the high risk of civilian casualties, damage to critical infrastructure and the potential for the spread of disease.  Do urban and rural areas differ in the human security challenges they present? Do urban areas require new ways of thinking about human security? If yes, how can existing mechanisms for conflict prevention, stability operations and peacebuilding be adapted to address the particular issues associated with failed and fragile cities? 
 MORE
INFO: Failed and fragile cities: human security in urban spaces


eDiscussion Resources:

Before posting to the eDiscussion group we strongly suggest you read/watch the international policy content presented on this site. We provide reports, netcasts and links to other resources to help frame our Feature Issue. 

Key Departmental Resources

 "International Policy Statement"
     Building a More Secure World - Diplomacy Chapter
    
 The Canadian Forces in an Unpredictable World - Defence Chapter
   
 A World in Transition - Development Chapter

      
 Netcast Interviews

The Concept of a Failing State
Dr. Simon Chesterman discusses the concept of a failing state. Simon Chesterman is Executive Director of the Institute for International Law and Justice at New York University School of Law.

 VIEW ALL FAILED AND FRAGILE STATES NETCAST INTERVIEWS

Midterm Summary Report - Sept. 26 to Oct. 27


Fragile and
Failed States
eDiscussion Results. The debate up to now has been informed, thoughtful and constructive. View the key points of agreement and disagreement through out the eDiscussion. FORMAT:  HTML | PDF


Policy Position Papers


We have asked university classes across
Canada
to help frame the eDiscussion by providing us with a policy position paper on the discussion topic. | LEARN MORE

Please find the summary of the policy position papers here: HTML | PDF

 University of British Columbia POLI 373 "Ethics in World Politics" HTML | PDF (English only)         

 Saint Mary's University 

POLI 2315 "Canadian Foreign Policy" 

HTML
 | PDF (English only) 

 University of Calgary 

INTR 501 "International Relations"

Runner-Up*

HTML
 | PDF (English only)
HTML | PDF (English only)

 Wilfred Laurier University

PO327 "Post Conflict Reconstruction" 

HTML
 | PDF (English only) 

 University of Winnipeg 

"Canada in the World"
"Canada in the World" *

HTML
 
| PDF (English only) 
HTML | PDF (English only)

 Dalhousie University 

POLI 5531 "UN in World Politics" 

HTML
| PDF (English only) 

 Cape Breton University

POLS 430 "Seminar in International
Relations: Human Security" 

HTML
 | PDF (English only) 

 Royal Military College of Canada 

"Canadian Foreign and Defence Policy" 

HTML
 | PDF (English only) 

 University of Montreal 

POL 1600 "Introduction aux relations internationales" 
Runner-Up
*

HTML
| PDF (French only) 
HTML | PDF (French only) 

 Mount Allison University

INLR 3101 "Global Governance"

HTML
| PDF (English only)

 University of Windsor

"Political Problems and Economic Development"
Runner-Up 1
*
Runner-Up 2 *

HTML
 | PDF (English only) 
HTML
| PDF (English only)
HTML | PDF (English only)

 Carleton University

BPAPM 4000 "Seminar in Public Affairs and Policy Management"

HTML
| PDF (English Only) 

 Bishop's University 

POL 140 "International Relations" 

HTMLPDF (English Only)

*
Indicates exceptional circumstances

Other Departmental Resources


Afghanistan and Canada's International Policy

Canada has three primary objectives in Afghanistan: help stabilise the country; strengthen governance; and improve the lives of Afghans. Canadian diplomacy is playing a key role in working to achieve these goals.

Canada: Active in Sudan
The persistent marginalization of remote areas has embroiled
Sudan in civil conflicts almost since its independence from Britain in 1956. To help restore peace, the Government of Canada has been helping to address the root causes of Sudan's conflicts for over 20 years.

Reconstructing Haiti
In May 2000, legislative and local elections triggered a major political crisis in
Haiti. Since this crisis began, Canada has taken a stand in favour of a political agreement that would be the result of broad-based consensus among the Government, political parties and civil society in Haiti.