PublicationsCatalogueLibertasAnnual Reports

Volume 15, Number 1
June / July 2005

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President's Introduction

WE KNOW THE ENORMOUS CHALLENGE that confronts us to meet the Millennium Development Goals. Despite the fact that the MDGs are the most broadly supported, comprehensive and specific poverty reduction targets the world has established, our efforts and investments to date are falling short. Despite the fact that the MDGs are recognized as a "linch-pin for global security" and a "fulcrum for international development," there are huge disparities in progress across continents and within countries. Despite the fact that the attainment of the MDGs are a life-and-death issue for millions of children, women and men around the world, the international community may fail, again, to deliver on its promises and pledges.

Rights & Democracy has therefore organized a two-day conference to bring together our Canadian and international partners and to mobilize a broad cross-section of individual and institutional efforts towards the attainment of the MDGs. In view of the UN Summit in September 2005, this summer is an important period to build momentum and strengthen our voice.

Our central message relating to the MDGs is that they are intrinsically linked to the realization of human rights, particularly economic and social rights. Whether it be the right to food, the right to health, the right to education or the right to an adequate standard of living, many of the MDGs can be reinforced by the binding human rights obligations of States. The targets relating to the health and well-being of women and children can be reinforced by broader efforts to promote women's rights and children's rights. Moreover, the enhancement of civil and political rights is crucial for reinforcing democratic governance at the national level, which is necessary for the effective realization of all rights.

We are concerned, however, that neither the human rights nor the development communities have taken the necessary steps to capitalize on the immense potential for a complementary approach between the human rights and MDG frameworks. Despite the shortcomings and critiques of the MDGs, human rights advocates should play an active role in attaining the MDGs. This is a make-or-break issue for the United Nations and north-south cooperation; we cannot afford to stand on the sidelines. Certainly, human rights advocates have other concerns beyond the MDGs, but we cannot be indifferent to such a serious and concerted attempt to tackle complex and urgent issues such as extreme poverty, gender inequality, environmental sustainability and HIV/AIDS. In our conference, we will explore the international context to understand the conceptual, operational and institutional linkages between human rights and the MDGs. In this year of UN reform, we must link human rights, development and security. We must examine the most successful strategies and draw lessons-learned from our collective experience so far in order to refocus our future efforts. We need to work on the effectiveness and transparency of the international aid system to ensure that we improve aid processes, as well as the policies of multilateral agencies and donor countries. We must gather a global coalition including civil society and the private sector around the attainment of the MDGs.

We also know that the MDGs will be realized, or not, at the national level. Our international efforts must touch and improve the real lives of individuals and communities. We therefore will examine some of the issues that affect success or failure at the national level, such as democratic governance; the existence of poverty traps and cycles; the challenge of excluded groups or regions; and the effectiveness and comprehensiveness of public policies. Also, we will examine how human rights mechanisms and civil society groups can strengthen the development process at the national level in recipient countries. We must compare the challenges for smaller countries (such as Mali, Bolivia and Bangladesh) with those for larger countries (such as China, India and Brazil). Also, we must consider the important role that emerging regional powers have in achieving the MDGs, as they move from being recipient countries to donors themselves.

We will also explore what is happening in Canada. We have a new international policy statement that emphasizes the importance of MDGs in our development efforts; the Canadian International Development Agency is focussing its programming on the attainment of the MDGs; and the Minister of Finance has cancelled the debt of some of the developed countries. Nonetheless, many Canadian individuals and groups are concerned about the lack of a clear timeline to meet the 0.7% of GNP target for international development assistance, as well as the lack of a clear rights-based framework to strengthen our aid policies. In comparison with other donor countries, what are our strengths and what can we do better?

We must remember, however, that Canada is more than its government, bureaucracy and international policy. We have an impressive variety of civil society organizations that are actively involved in international development. A number of these have launched important campaigns that will contribute to public awareness, involvement and, ultimately, the attainment of particular MDGs. The business community is becoming increasingly active in corporate social responsibility initiatives, as well as in partnerships for international development. Our parliamentarians and political parties can also make international development and the MDGs a priority.

As we encourage Canadians to mobilize around attaining the MDGs, we cannot turn a blind eye to some of the difficult issues relating to poverty, hunger, health, education, diseases and the environment in Canada. Despite our prosperity, the number of families making use of food banks is on the rise. The condition of many aboriginals remains a blight on our nation's conscience and reputation. Without addressing these issues and strengthening our commitment to the human rights of all individuals, we undermine our credibility to play a leadership role in implementing the MDGs.

Rights & Democracy will be an active player throughout this summer, bringing together our government and civil society partners in preparation for the UN Summit in September. Not only is this the moment to push for the achievement of the MDGs, but it is also part of our shared human rights obligations.

Libert@s is the electronic newsletter of Rights & Democracy that is sent by e-mail every two months to our friends, supporters and partners throughout Canada and the world, offering immediate updates on Rights & Democracy's work.

Articles may be freely excerpted, provided credit is given and a copy of the publication in which the material appears is sent to Rights & Democracy.

In recognition of the fact that not everyone, particularly our partners in the developing world, has access to Internet, Rights & Democracy will produce and mail a printed version of Libertas twice a year.

As always, we welcome your feedback on our online newsletter, Libert@s. Please send any comments to Steve Smith

Rights & Democracy (International Centre for Human Rights and Democratic Development) is a Canadian institution with an international mandate. It is an independent organization, which promotes, advocates and defends the democratic and human rights set out in the International Bill of Human Rights. In cooperation with civil society and governments in Canada and abroad, Rights & Democracy initiates and supports programmes to strengthen laws and democratic institutions, principally in developing countries.

Rights & Democracy focuses its work on four thematic priorities: Democratic Development, Women's Rights, the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and Globalization and Human Rights; and two special operations: International Human Rights Advocacy and Urgent Action and Important Opportunities.


Board of Directors:

Wayne MacKay (Interim Chair)
Jean-Louis Roy (President)
Rebecca Cook
John Fryer
Marie Gervais-Vidricaire
Lydia A. Hwitsum
Sofia Macher
Vitit Muntarbhorn
Ibrahim Saad Eddin
Peter C. Turner

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