I am very pleased to be here with you this evening to talk about promoting democratic governance in the world. Today's discussions have enriched and enhanced our reflection on a priority issue for our government.

Our government is working actively to promote democratic governance abroad. From my vantage point – which is development – to be sustainable, our efforts have to focus on strengthening democratic governance.

Many international bodies have reached that conclusion. For example, at the White Oak conference on democracy and development, the OECD noted that it is increasingly evident that the existence of open, democratic and responsible political systems, and respect for human rights, are a key determinant of opportunities for sustainable economic and social development.

Talking about democratic governance means talking about fair and free elections, of course. But it is also about much more than that.

For CIDA, strengthening democratic governance means working on several fronts. It means promoting human rights; promoting freedom of expression; supporting the transparent management of government affairs; promoting the establishment of strong legislative institutions; and adopting oversight and accountability mechanisms …

For a year now, we have been redoubling our efforts to that end. And we will be giving even greater attention in the coming years to that commitment to promote democratic governance throughout the world. We believe that countries with democratic institutions cherish freedom, the rule of law and human rights. These are Canadian values.

That is why we established the Office for Democratic Governance last October. We are taking pains to become more effective in terms of democratic governance. One of the Office's objectives is to forge partnerships with specialists, organizations, institutions and other key departments in Canada that focus on democratic governance.

CIDA is making a substantial contribution to democratic governance. This sector cuts across all our programs, and we support many initiatives in partnership with most of the organizations represented here today.

On the human rights front, we have, for example, forged a partnership with Save the Children, to ensure that marginalized children in Burkina Faso, Bolivia, Haiti, Kenya, Mali and Nicaragua can benefit fully from their rights, including the right to go to school. That project has helped over 400,000 boys and girls who live on the margins of society.

I am especially proud of the support we are giving to fragile countries like Afghanistan and Haiti. We need to rise to even greater challenges in fragile states like those. To be successful in the long term, the international community's reconstruction efforts must be backed up by democratic institutions that oversee security and the values we cherish.

As I saw during my visit to Afghanistan, Canadian assistance is helping to make tangible progress. It is helping to change the everyday lives of men, women and children. At the end of the day, the state of a democracy and the effectiveness of democratic government are gauged on the ground. As Francis Fukuyama said in one of his publications, a solid state institution responds to the needs of its clients – the citizens of the state – transparently and effectively.

That is what the Afghan government has been trying to do since it took office. And I can tell you that things are improving in Afghanistan. Our whole-of-government approach is effective. CIDA, the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Department of National Defence, the RCMP: all of us are working closely with Mr. Karzai's democratically elected government. We are also working alongside  other donors, through NATO.

We can see that progress on the ground.

Not too long ago, women were confined to their homes. They were forbidden to work or go to school. Now, with the help of Canada and the international community, 87 women are MPs, making up 25% of the elected members of the National Assembly …a giant step in just a few years!

Other Afghan women sit on community development councils throughout the country, which also benefit from Canadian assistance. Others obtain loans and run small businesses. More girls are going to school. And finally, the Afghan Constitution now grants women the same rights as men. With our support, the organization Rights and Democracy has trained thousands of Afghan women to help raise awareness among their fellow citizens that women have the right to be educated, to express themselves and to live in freedom and security.

Canada is also helping the Afghan government to establish the oversight systems needed to track progress on living up to its obligations under human rights treaties to which Afghanistan is a party.

Haiti is the second largest recipient of Canadian bilateral aid. In the past year, CIDA has devoted substantial efforts there to strengthening democratic governance. For example, Canada contributed considerably to the success of the recent presidential and legislative elections. Over three and a half million voters obtained a national identity card, and 63% of voters exercised their franchise for the first time, an unprecedented turnout.

In addition, dozens of Haitian journalists have been trained by Canadian specialists to improve the quality and objectivity of press coverage. Four hundred monitors have been trained on the main methods for investigating human rights violations, and dozens of Haitian organizations have received human rights training.

Finally, thanks to Canada's support, every community in the regions of Nippes, Marmelade and the Northeast has developed a strategic action plan. Local elected officials have received training related to their responsibilities as public representatives.

Our support for the Parliamentary Centre has allowed us to observe electoral processes first-hand and help to build stronger parliaments in other parts of the world, including Africa and Asia. And parliamentarians, like public servants, must be subject to auditing procedures.

When I went to Mali last summer, I was especially impressed by the fact that it is the only country in Francophone Africa to have established an Auditor General's Office. It is completely independent. It submitted its first report last year. The next challenge is obviously to see that the report's recommendations are implemented. But that measure – which has been put in place with Canada's help – is a good demonstration of the Malian government's commitment to fight corruption and hold public institutions accountable.

I would also point out Canada's support for the Canadian Comprehensive Auditing Foundation, which helps developing countries to enhance public-sector auditing activities. Thanks to that program, fellowship recipients from developing countries acquire valuable knowledge and hands-on experience, working in, for example, the Office of the Auditor General of Canada or in provincial auditing branches.

To strengthen democratic governance, we must combat corruption. Our activities in this area aim to ensure proper use of Canadian assistance and support reforms initiated by developing countries.

For example, we support the African Parliamentarians Network Against Corruption, which now comprises 14 member states. The Network drafts anti-corruption legislation and guidelines for its members. The Network's success has prompted other donors to lend their support.

Another noteworthy anti-corruption initiative relates to the transparency of extractive industries. This initiative encourages governments to disclose natural resource revenue. This innovative partnership between foreign companies, developing-country governments, and local stakeholders ensures that natural resource revenue is invested in the fight against poverty.

I am convinced that our investments are yielding results. We have learned many lessons through the years. A forum like today's is especially important. It allows us to discuss potential new avenues, such as the role of political parties in our efforts to promote democratic governance. The health of a democracy depends on a culture that can manage change and differences in a climate of peace.

Thank your for your attention.