Canadian Foreign Policy eDiscussions
International Universities and NGOs Participation
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Democracy Promotion
Open: January 22nd to March 30th, 2007

The Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, through its Strategic Policy branch, is looking to engage students of Political Science and Canadian Studies from colleges and universities around the world; and NGOs, to provide their views on a range of Canadian foreign policy issues through our online discussion group.

Join the eDiscussion

Democracy Feature Issue

View previous eDiscussion on "Non-prolifertation, Arms Control and Disarmament"

Questions and Resources

PARTICIPATION

We foresee two ways in which Canadian Studies, Political Science classes and NGOs could participate in the eDiscussions:

I. Policy Position Papers:

We're asking students and NGOs to help frame the eDiscussion by providing us with a policy position paper on the discussion topic which we will post online in our resource section.

Policy position papers are prepared for the Department, up to 750 words, on the eDiscussion topic outlining policy options for the Canadian government. We have provided a policy position paper template as a model for formatting policy position paper submissions.

Questions are provided to help frame the policy position papers:

1. Each country develops its own model of governance to secure the democratic rights of its citizens. Most democracies nevertheless rely on a combination of the rule of law, free and fair elections, effective legislatures, an accountable executive branch, independent courts, a transparent and efficient public sector, human rights guarantees, competitive political parties, free media, and an active civil society to secure the rights of their citizens. Should Canada provide assistance to support all of these elements of democratic governance, or should we favour some over others in our democracy assistance?

2. How can Canada help citizens in other countries address obstacles to the full realization of their democratic rights presented by:
a. conflict and state fragility
b. poverty
c. authoritarian governments

3. What other prominent obstacles to democratic governance should Canada address in designing policies and programs to guide democracy assistance?

4. What principles should guide the delivery of Canadian democracy assistance?

5. How might Canada consider lessons from other countries in improving our own standards of democratic governance?

The paper will represent the class.

In late February, they will be posted on the Canadian International Policy internet site as a resource for the eDiscussion. At the end of each eDiscussion, the submissions are summarized by our staff. This summary is then circulated within Foreign Affairs whose topic experts draft a reply which is posted on the website.

Send completed Policy Position Papers here for posting in our resource section: Sarah.Macleod@international.gc.ca

Example of a Policy Positon Paper from the Failed and Fragile States eDiscussion:
Meeting Urban Human Security Challenges in Failed and Fragile States - University of Winnipeg

II. Classroom Debate

Use the extensive background material on the eDiscussion site to promote discussion and debate in class on "Democracy Promotion."

Students may find this program flyer on the eDiscussion project (PDF) useful.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS FOR INSTRUCTORS:

Answers to Frequently Asked Questions.

BACKGROUND MATERIAL AND COURSE RESOURCES:

Past eDiscussions and their resources -- to give you an idea of what you can expect in January:
Policy Discussion Archive
Past eDiscussion Resources

For more information please contact Sarah MacLeod (613-944-0661 or Sarah.Macleod@international.gc.ca).