UNITED NATIONS REFORM (AGENDA FOR DEVELOPMENT)

"We will continue and reinforce our efforts to improve the functioning of the UN in the economic and social fields and its impact on development. We will continue to work in partnership with other members to complete the processes underway, including Agenda for Development, and initiate further processes as required."

Grade: +1

Background:

The main objectives of the United Nations' Agenda for Development are the promotion of economic development, social development, and environmental protection. Furthermore, the Agenda for Development is dedicated to the improvement of the quality of life through the eradication of poverty, hunger, disease and illiteracy, the provision of adequate shelter, the advancement of women, securing employment for all, and protecting the integrity and sustainable use of the environment. Democracy, participation, and transparent and accountable governance, as well as, the protection and promotion of all human rights and fundamental freedoms are indispensable foundations for development. The Agenda for Development, therefore, testifies to the renewed commitment of Governments of all countries to mobilize national and international efforts in pursuit of development and to revitalize and strengthen international development cooperation.

Analysis:
While the Canadian Government has not adopted any initiatives specifically in the name of Agenda for Development, it has, nonetheless, advanced other processes that are consistent with the main objectives outlined in this UN document.

In his September 24, 1996 address to the 51st General Assembly of the United Nations, Foreign Affairs Minister Axworthy called on the member states of the UN to commit themselves to collectively work together in support of the UN and in support of advancing the key objective of "sustainable human security," both in the context of addressing more traditional military threats to peace and security and in response to new threats. Furthermore, he announced that Canada would offer a roster of human rights experts available for rapid deployment as part of larger peacebuilding operations and for specialized human rights tasks. Canada will be co-ordinating its efforts with Norway and other countries to ensure coherent focussed support for UN efforts. The goals of the human rights roster include:

support the Canadian Government, the United Nations, and other international human rights initiatives with field experts for peacebuilding activities such as human rights protection, monitoring and reconstruction

contribute skilled Canadians to, and ensure that Canada is well represented in, international and UN human rights field activities, which are a priority for Canada

build an active partnership with Canadian international human rights and peacebuidling experts, drawing from non-governmental organizations, academia and individual Canadians

influence the evolution of human rights operations and other similar peacebuilding initiatives within the UN and other inter-governmental organizations

In addition, Minister Axworthy pointed to the need for better international co- operation on human rights to advance sustainable human security and singled out the plight of the world's children as a priority area for Canada. Canada participated in the World Congress Against the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children held in Stockholm in August 1996, and announced that it will move resolutely to conclude the negotiation of the Optional Protocol of the Convention of the Rights of the Child on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution and Child Pornography. Axworthy stated that Canada would use its development budget to support education, poverty alleviation, and the provision of economic alternatives.

The Canadian Government has sponsored many projects this past year that are intended to promote all forms of development in several countries around the globe:

September 24, 1996: Canada to assist judicial reform in Ukraine

September 27, 1996: CIDA announces renewed support for an in international council whose work is helping to reduce pollution and manage the environment in China

January 8, 1997: Joint ministerial committee and agreements with India are announced to assist India in energy, private sector development and tax reform

January 28, 1997: Canada presents report to UN committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women

February 4, 1997: Ministry for International Co-operation announces support for village organizations in Bangladesh

February 7, 1997: CIDA supports Southern Ontario companies' initiatives to help solve Mexico's water problems

February 7, 1997: CIDA to support University of Toronto project to improve municipal governance in Bolivia

February 7, 1997: CIDA to finance two new projects managed by Street Kids International (SKI) to assist homeless youths in India and Ecuador

February 7, 1997: Canada supports notarial reform in Ukraine

March 17, 1997: Canada helps Haiti to consolidate its electrical power supply system

March 19, 1997: Queen's University to help Bosnia reform health care

April 23, 1997: Axworthy announces child labour challenge fund