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British  Columbia,  Cultural  Communities,  and  Sustainable  Development:  A  Consultation  Report  

Executive  Summary  On  May  30,  2015,  the  British  Columbia  Council  for  International  Cooperation  (BCCIC)  and  Simon  Fraser   University   (SFU)   International,   in   collaboration  with   the   Department   of   Foreign   Affairs,  Trade   and  Development   (DFATD),   organized   a   consultation  with   cultural   community   groups   in  Vancouver  to  explore  their  engagement  in  sustainable  development.  

The  consultation  had  three  primary  objectives:  

1. To  explore  the  potential  role  of  cultural  community  groups  in  international  development    2. To  gain  insight  into  cultural  community  groups’  areas  of  interest  in  working  with  DFATD  

and  other  stakeholders  on  international  development  3. To   identify   the   potential   for   partnerships   with   cultural   community   groups   and   other  

relevant  stakeholders  

The  consultation  gathered  over  fifty  participants  from  the  cultural  community  groups  (CCGs)  of  Ukraine,  Philippines,  Vietnam,  and  the  continent  of  Africa,  including  representatives  of  academic  institutions  and  civil  society  organizations.  This  report  gives  an  overview  of  discussion  points  with  the  CCGs,   including  areas  of   interest   in  working  with  other   stakeholders  and  opportunities   for  deepening  engagement  on  international  cooperation  issues.  

 

Background    At  the  beginning  of  the  year,  DFATD  approached  BCCIC  to  organize  a  consultation  with  cultural  community   groups   in   Vancouver   as   part   of   a   consultation   series   held   in   Ontario   and   Québec  from   April   to  May   2015.   DFATD   selected   the   participating   CCGs   based   on   their   prevalence   in  Vancouver  according  to  Statistics  Canada  as  well  as  their  inclusion  among  DFATD’s  countries  of  focus.  These  countries  of  focus  are  chosen  based  on  each  country’s  real  needs,  their  capacity  to  benefit   from   development   assistance,   and   their   alignment   with   Canadian   foreign   policy  priorities.1  

BCCIC   partnered   on   this   consultation   with   SFU   International   to   build   on   the   academic  institution’s  research  expertise  and  experience  working  with  CCGs  for  the  past  two  decades.  This  research  expertise  includes  an  innovative  public  engagement  project  entitled  Engaging  Diaspora  

                                                                                                                         1  DFATD  Where  we  work  in  International  Development  http://www.international.gc.ca/development-­‐developpement/countries-­‐pays/index.aspx?lang=eng    

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for   Development:   Tapping   Our   Trans-­‐local   Potential   for   Change   (EDD)2   and   an   Institute   for  Diaspora  Research  and  Engagement  (IDRE).  Informed  by  the  EDD  project,  SFU  International  and  BCCIC   held   pre-­‐consultation   meetings   with   each   of   the   four   cultural   community   groups   to  provide  background  information  and  time  to  prepare  as  a  group  for  the  consultation.  

 

Pre-­‐consultation  Meetings  BCCIC  and  SFU  International  met  with  each  of  the  four  CCGs  to  present  the  consultation  initiative  and  its  objectives.  At  each  pre-­‐consultation  meeting,  the  CCG  received  a  set  of  questions  to  help  them  discuss  the  issues  pertinent  to  their  country  of  origin  and  the  potential  ways  of  addressing  those  issues.  These  meetings  provided  each  CCG  an  opportunity  to  discuss  their  common  ground  issues  before  presenting  a  unified  voice  at  the  consultation  on  May  30th.    

After   the   pre-­‐consultation   meetings   with   BCCIC   and   SFU   International,   each   CCG   had   a   few  follow-­‐up   meetings   internally   to   discuss   their   country-­‐specific   issues   and   to   identify   possible  solutions  and/or  recommendations.  Each  CCG  also  chose  a  panellist  to  present  their  findings  at  the  consultation  and,  in  the  case  of  the  larger  CCGs,  ensured  that  the  cultural  community  group  included  representatives  of  various  community  sub-­‐groups  at  the  consultation.      

The  Filipino  CCG,  one  of  the  largest  cultural  community  groups  in  Vancouver,  took  an  academic  approach   to   their   preparation   by   developing   a   survey   to   capture   their   CCG’s   concerns.   The  survey   included   questions   about   development   projects   in   the   Philippines   and   potential  partnership   opportunities   with   the   Canadian   government,   particularly   DFATD,   and   other   civil  society   organizations   (CSOs).   The   survey   also   asked   about   obstacles   and   limitations   going  forward  and  the  best  ways  of  engaging  in  international  development  and  cooperation.  

The   Ukrainian   CCG   discussed   their   concerns   and   brainstormed   ideas   for   collaboration   with  DFATD  and  CSOs  during  several  meetings  prior  to  May  30th.  Considering  the  ongoing  conflict  in  Ukraine   and   pressing   humanitarian   needs,   most   of   the   initial   pre-­‐consultation   meeting   with  BCCIC  and  SFU  International  revolved  around  these   issues.  However,  during  their   later   internal  discussions,   the  CCG  decided   to   focus  on   a  bigger  perspective  by  developing   a   concept  paper  called   “Strategic  Development  of   Talent   for   International   Cooperation.”   The  paper   focused  on  human  capital  investment,  business  development,  and  knowledge  transfer  to  ensure  the  future  economic  prosperity  and  social  well  being  of  Ukraine.    

During   the   initial   pre-­‐consultation   meeting,   the   Vietnamese   CCG   raised   a   number   of   issues  related  to  human  rights,  including  transparency  and  accountability  of  aid,  restrictive  government  

                                                                                                                         2  Engaging  Diaspora  in  Development  (EDD)  Reports    http://www.sfu.ca/international/index/development/projects/reports.html  

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policies  on  freedom  of  expression  and  open  space  for  civil  society,  and  environmental  concerns  emerging   from   profit-­‐driven   government   policies   in   the   mining   industry.   After   follow-­‐up  meetings  within  the  Vietnamese  community,  the  Vietnamese  CCG  decided  to  focus  on  the  most  pressing   human   rights   issues   in   Vietnam.   The   CCG   also   focused   on   opportunities   for   the  Canadian   government   to   leverage   its   bilateral   trade   and   investment   projects,   as   well   as   its  prominent  development  assistance  presence,  for  improving  human  rights  in  Vietnam.    

The  continent  of  Africa  CCG  had  representatives  of  Burundi,  Uganda,  the  Democratic  Republic  of  the   Congo,   the   Republic   of   the   Congo,   Rwanda,   Swaziland,   and   Zimbabwe.   Considering   their  geographic  differences  and  different  pressing  issues,  the  continent  of  Africa  CCG  consolidated  a  set  of  common  ground  issues  and  recommendations  on  moving  forward.  Some  emerging  themes  included   political   instability,   enforcement   of   a   constitution   and   rule   of   law,   development   of  business   opportunities,   creation   of   jobs,   and   development   of   civil   society   organizations.   The  continent   of   Africa   CCG   also   emphasized   the   need   for   a   place   or   hub   to   connect   cultural  community  groups  with  each  other  (both  African  and  others),  as  well  as  the  need  for  more  funds  earmarked  for  specific  topics  and  for  CCGs  of  specific  countries.  

 

Summary  of  Consultation    On  May  30,  2015,  the  Honourable  Alice  Wong,  Minister  of  State  for  Seniors,  delivered  opening  remarks   for   the   day   of   consultation   on   behalf   of   Minister   Christian   Paradis,   Minister   of  International  Development  and  Minister  for  La  Francophonie.    

Minister  Alice  Wong  with  Ukrainian  CCG  representatives,  Vancouver,  May  30,  2015  

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Each   CCG’s   representative   then   spoke   briefly   about   their   group’s  major   discussion   points   and  findings  of  their  pre-­‐consultation  meetings.  The  opening  remarks  of  Minister  Wong  and  the  short  overview  of  the  issues  set  a  context  for  the  consultation.    

The  rest  of  the  day  consisted  of  two  discussions  with  small  groups   in  the  morning  and  a  panel  session   in   the   afternoon.   During   the  morning’s   discussions,   participants   from   each   CCG  were  mixed   together   into   six   small   groups.   The   first   group  discussion   identified   common   issues  and  limitations   to   engaging   in   development   work   in   their   countries   of   origin.   The   second   group  discussion   identified   opportunities   to   deepen   engagement   among   DFATD,   CSOs,   and   cultural  community   groups.   The   small   group  discussions   created   a   space  where   the   participants   could  express  themselves,  actively  listen  to  each  other,  and  learn  something  new.  These  conversations  were  based  on  the  understanding  that  every  participant  came  from  a  different  background  and  culture   and  might   have   different   opinions   on   these   topics   as   a   result.   The   sections   “Common  Ground  Issues”  and  “Opportunities  for  Partnership”  below  outline  the  morning’s  key  discussion  points.  

During  the  afternoon’s  panel  session,  the  four  representatives  of  the  cultural  community  groups  shared   their   learnings   from   the   morning   session.   The   overall   reflection   was   of   identifying  common  issues  despite  the  different  geographic  and  socio-­‐economic  situations  in  the  countries  of   origin.   The   panellists   reiterated   the   value   of   hearing   and   learning   about   country-­‐specific  issues,  struggles,  and  solutions,  while  recognizing  the  similarities  raised  by  the  participants.  

The   four   panellists   also   presented   their   CCG’s   findings   and   discussion   points   from   the   pre-­‐consultation   community   meetings.   The   Ukrainian   CCG   emphasized   the   importance   of  strengthening   communities   by  making   them   sustainable   through   transfer   of   knowledge,   skills,  and  best  practices.  One  of  the  biggest  issues  Ukraine  faces  is  weak  social  services  and  assistance,  which  have  declined   further  since   the  start  of   the  conflict   in  2014.  Considering  Canada  one  of  the  best  examples  for  providing  social  security  through  well-­‐established  services  and  institutions,  the   potential   skill   and   knowledge   transfer   would   benefit   Ukraine   enormously.   Another  opportunity  for  development  assistance  is  adopting  a  consortium  approach  to  funding  for  small  and   medium-­‐sized   organizations   by   matching   them   with   more   experienced   partners   for  implementing  projects  in  Ukraine.    

The   continent   of   Africa   CCG   raised   issues   with   government   practices   of   holding   onto   power  unconstitutionally.  This  practice,  along  with  suppressing  freedom  of  information  laws,  results  in  internal   conflicts   and   unrest.   Educating   societies   on   their   political   rights   and   supporting   civil  society  organizations  could  address  political   instability  in  African  countries.  An  online  forum  for  CCGs  could  further  engage  CCGs  in  sustainable  development  and  cooperation  by  continuing  this  discussion,  sharing  ideas,  learning  from  each  other,  and  sharing  best  practices.  

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CCG  Panel  Discussions,  Vancouver,  May  30,  2015  

 

The   Filipino   CCG   discussed   the   need   to   identify   their   theory   of   change   and   to   question   their  identity  as  agents  of  change.  As  the  second  generation  of  a  CCG  in  Canada,  they  need  to  change  from   imposing   ready-­‐made   projects   within   their   country   of   origin   to   listening   and   working  together  with  their  communities  on  finding  solutions  that  take  into  consideration  human  rights,  gender  equality,  and  the  environment.  The  panellist  also  raised  the   issues  of  high  remittances,  immigration  and  brain  drain,  and  the  scarcity  of  training  in  certain  industries  in  the  Philippines.  

The  Vietnamese  CCG  panel  presentation  focused  on  the  most  pressing  issues  in  Vietnam:  human  trafficking  and  human  rights  abuses,  lack  of  freedom  of  expression  and  information,  prison  terms  for  peaceful  political  activists,  and  a  one  party  monopoly.  The  panellist  emphasized  the  Canadian  government’s   role   in   improving   Vietnam’s   human   rights   situation   by   making   human   rights   a  prerequisite  for  bilateral  trade  agreements  and  aid  assistance.  

At  the  end  of  the  day,  the  participants  shared  their  best  piece  of  advice  and  the  most  interesting  thing   they   learned   during   the   day.   Ariel   Delouya,   Director  General   of   the   Engaging   Canadians  Bureau,   delivered   closing   remarks   on   behalf   of   DFATD.   BCCIC   Executive   Director   Michael  Simpson   closed   the   official   proceedings   by   noting   the   dynamic   discussions   and   positive  momentum  of  the  day.  

   

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Common  Ground  Issues    During   the  morning’s   small   group   discussions,   the   participants   discovered  many   similar   issues  despite  different  geography,  culture,  and  economic  and  social  development  in  their  countries  of  origin.  

The  participants  raised  their  concerns  of  poor  governance  and  corruption  as  major  barriers  for  implementing  projects   in   their  countries  of  origin.  They   felt  Canada  should  be  a   role  model   to  address   issues   of   transparency   and   accountability   in   the   countries   of   origin.   The   participants  emphasized   lack   of   accountability   on   humanitarian   and   development   aid   received   by   their  governments.    

Participants   discussed   a   lack   of   communication   channels   between   the   cultural   community  groups   and   the   public   institutions   involved   in   international   development   and   cooperation.  Participants   identified   this   lack  of   communication  as   a   constraint   for   implementing  projects   in  their  countries  of  origin.  

General   insecurity  was   a   persistent   theme   in   their   countries   of   origin   due   to   armed   conflicts,  human   right   abuses,   poor   governance,   a   growing   gap   between   rich   and   poor,  weak   response  mechanisms  for  disaster  prone  areas,  and  inefficient  distribution  of  foreign  aid.  

A  lack  of  small-­‐scale  funding  opportunities  for  small  and  medium-­‐sized  civil  society  organizations  was  a  shared  concern  among  the  participants.  The  participants  engage  in  small-­‐scale  projects  in  their  countries  of  origin;  these  projects  are  funded  mostly  through  individual  donations.  Due  to  limited  human,   financial,  and  technical   resources,  small  and  medium-­‐sized  CSOs  cannot  access  large-­‐scale   calls   for   proposals   announced   by   DFATD,   as   they   often   do   not  meet   the   required  criteria.  

The   lack  of  access   to  education   in  some  countries,  and  especially  quality  education,   requires  a  comprehensive  educational   reform   in  some  of   the  represented  countries  of  origin;  building  on  human  capital  is  key  for  sustainable  development.  

The  participants   raised   their   concerns  with   the  high  costs  of   remittances,   as  Canada   is   a  main  source  of  remittance  to  their  countries  of  origin.  Unfortunately,  the  transaction  fees  for  sending  money  internationally  absorb  a  large  portion  of  these  remittances.    

The  adage  “Give  a  man  a  fish  and  he  will  eat  for  a  day;  teach  him  how  to  fish  and  he  will  eat  for  a  lifetime”  resonated  throughout  the  session.  They  identified  a  need  to  shift  perspectives  from  a  charity  model  of  aid   to  a  model  of   sustainable  development   through  education,   skills  building,  strengthened  civil  society,  and  empowered  people  in  the  CCGs’  countries  of  origin.  

 

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Opportunities  for  Partnership  A  key  opportunity  for  CCGs,  CSOs,  and  DFATD  lies  in  engaging  the  cultural  community  groups  as  an   untapped   resource   and   strengthening   the   capacity   of   CCGs   for   implementing   sustainable  development   goals.   CCGs   have   networks   in   their   countries   of   origin,   understand   the   local  language  and  culture,  and  can  be  a  reliable,  accountable  source  of  information  and  partnership.  Opportunities  for  partnership  among  CCGs,  CSOs,  and  DFATD  include  the  following  points:  

• a   reciprocal   communication   channel  between  CCGs,   the  Government  of  Canada,  CSOs,  and   private   institutions   to   explore   opportunities   for   leveraging   CCGs’   expertise,   local  knowledge,  and  connections  for  sustainable  development  

• a  forum  or  online  platform  for  the  cultural  community  groups  of  Canada  to  share   ideas  and   opportunities   as   well   as   showcase   best   practices,   exemplary   empowerment,   and  leadership  

• youth-­‐focused   initiatives,   such   as   youth   engagement   and   volunteer   programs   through  cultural  community  groups,  and  youth  unemployment  centres   in  the  countries  of  origin  and  Canada  through  partnership  with  the  private  sector  

• strengthened  higher  education  and  training  through  applied  academics  to  bridge  the  gap  between  theoretical  knowledge  and  practice  

• an   umbrella   organization   for   CCGs   and   CSOs   to   learn   from   each   other   and   facilitate  opportunities  for  partnerships  (BCCIC  was  cited  as  an  ideal  group  for  this  task.)  

• remittance   programs,   such   as   a   CCGs   fund   in   partnership  with   credit   unions   to   tackle  high-­‐cost  remittances,  and  a  government-­‐matching  initiative  for  remittances  to  promote  development  in  the  CCGs’  countries  of  origin  

• seed  funding  to  small  and  medium-­‐sized  CSOs  engaged  in  development  work  in  the  CCGs’  countries  of  origins  (SFU  International’s  planned  social  innovation  incubator  at  IDRE  was  identified  as  possibly  playing  a  role.)  

 

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Consultation  Group  Photo*,  Vancouver,  May  30,  2015  *  Photo  represents  remaining  participants  at  day’s  closing;  most  had  left  by  this  time.  

 

Conclusion    In   general,   the  participants  welcomed   the   consultation.  According   to   the   survey   conducted   at  the   end   of   the   consultation,   71%   of   participants   felt   the   consultation   objectives   were  accomplished,   while   89%   of   participants   felt   they   had   enough   opportunities   to   discuss   their  questions  and  concerns.  More   than  80%  of  participants  had  a  good  or  excellent   impression  of  the  consultation.  The  majority  of  participants  also  expressed  the  need  for  follow-­‐up  meetings  to  continue   this  work  with   the   CCGs,   along  with   developing  mechanisms   (i.e.,   a   tangible   plan   of  action)  for  engaging  them  in  sustainable  development.    

For   immediate   action,   the   consultation   participants   also   suggested   conducting   a   summer  institute   or   popular   education   program   that   would   bring   intergenerational   and   intercultural  learners  together  in  teaching,  learning,  and  action  planning  circles  for  international  development  and  cooperation.  BCCIC  could  implement  this   initiative  in  partnership  with  SFU  International  to  deliver  action-­‐oriented  capacity  building  programs  with  the  help  of  cultural  community  groups.  This  initiative  could  also  contribute  to  shifting  organizational  perspectives  from  a  charity  model  of  aid  to  sustainable  development.  A  summer  institute  or  popular  education  program  could  also  contribute   to   the   creation   of   new  CCG-­‐led   organizations   to   fill   in   critical   gaps   in   international  development  work,  especially  on  environment,  climate  change,  urban  regeneration,  and  youth  development.    

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The  participants  suggested  the  creation  of  an  inventory  of  projects  and  initiatives  implemented  by  CCG-­‐led  organizations  in  their  countries  of  origins  as  another  immediate  follow-­‐up  action.  This  initiative  could  be  a  BC  convention  or  conference  or  exhibition  fair  of  cultural  community  groups  and/or   organizations   doing   international   development  work   overseas  within   and   beyond   their  countries  of  origin.    

As   a   result   of   this   consultation,   BCCIC   and   SFU   International   will   continue   to   explore  opportunities   for   deepening   engagement   and   strengthening   capacity   of   CCGs   in   international  development  and  cooperation.