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.

A Uniquely Canadian Approach to Democracy Promotion

Democracy promotion is a key foreign policy priority for Canada. Building on Canada’s long history of promoting democracy abroad, the Government of Canada is looking to identify ways in which Canada can play a more active role on the world stage in promoting democratic principles.

Strengthening West Africa's Peace Operations Capacity

Canada is committed to supporting African efforts to more effectively prevent, manage, and resolve conflict and importantly, to address the needs of civilians.

Global Partnership Program

Through the Global Partnership Program Canada is:

working on the destruction of chemical weapons,

dismantling nuclear submarines

improving the security of nuclear and other radiological materials,

redirecting former weapons scientists and

improving biosecurity and biosafety.

Monitoring and Reporting on Violations against Children in War
As a vulnerable population, children face extreme threats in situations of conflict:

More than 300,000 child soldiers are currently exploited in situations of armed conflict.
6 million children have been severely injured or permanently disabled.

An estimated 20 million children are living as refugees in neighbouring countries or are internally displaced within their own national borders as a result of conflict and human rights violations.

Canada - US Relations: Defence, Security and Foreign Policy
The United States is Canada's most important ally and defence partner. Defence and security relations between the two countries have been characterized as longstanding, well entrenched and highly successful. This relationship reflects a unique friendship, underpinned by close economic interdependence and common values, that has evolved over the course of the last century.

The National Roundtables on Corporate Social Responsibility and the Canadian Extractive Sector in Developing Countries
The Government of Canada, led by the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, is holding a series of national roundtables in order to discuss issues of Corporate Social Responsibility in the mining, oil and gas sectors and their operations in developing countries.

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.

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.

Policy eDiscussions
The Canadian International Policy Web site is host to an ongoing series of policy eDiscussions. The goals of these eDiscussions is to provide Canadians the opportunity for discussion and input into policy development.

Recent and Current eDiscussions:
Democracy Promotion (Jan. 22, 2007 to March 30, 2007)

Nuclear Non-proliferation, Small Arms and Disarmament (Sept. 25, 2006 to Dec. 01, 2006)
Geopolitics and Demography (Jan. 24, 2006 to March 31, 2006)
Failed and Fragile States (Sept. 26th to Dec. 2nd 2005)
Showcasing Canadian culture and know-how abroad (April 4th to May 7th, 2005)
Security (Jan. 24, 2005 to Feb. 25, 2005)
Renewing Multilateral Institutions (Nov. 01, 2004 to Dec. 03, 2004)