Strong Report Proposes That Knowledge Become the Basis of International Development
OTTAWA — A task force of leading Canadian experts headed by Maurice Strong recommends that the Canadian government dedicate, by 1999, 15% of its official development assistance to activities that improve the gathering, use and sharing of knowledge.
This is one of the main recommendations contained in the report prepared by the task force entitled Connecting with the World, which was presented today to Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy.
"This report serves as a wake-up call and reminds us of the stark reality", said Mr. Axworthy. "Knowledge-based economies will dominate the 21st century and Canada will be obliged to earn its way in large part through its intellectual capacity and global leadership."
Through consultation and research, the authors of the report reviewed Canada's role in the fields of research and international development policies. They also examined the strategies that Canada should adopt to maintain its position in global economics and politics and to make its own original contribution to the international community.
"The Task Force's key conclusion is that Canada's place in the world cannot be taken for granted. It will need to earn its position through intellectual and policy leadership and through its strategic advantage as a multidimensional "knowledge broker", explained Maurice Strong. "The Task Force is aware that the development assistance window will not grow in the immediate future. However, if the generation and dissemination of knowledge is to be central to Canada's foreign policy, then some reallocations must occur", he added.
The group recommends that the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD), the North-South Institute (NSI) and other relevant institutions develop closer ties with the private sector and other donor agencies. The government should match the funds obtained from these other sources. These institutions, in turn, should be allowed flexibility in the way they use these funds and should, for example, be able to use them as venture capital and endowment funds.
"I wish to extend my sincere thanks to the report's authors", said Mr. Axworthy. "I will be taking steps on the highest priority basis to identify the specific actions required for the expeditious implementation of its recommendations, which apply directly to the foreign policy of the Government of Canada."
Connecting with the World was sponsored by three Canadian organizations, the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) and the North-South Institute (NSI).
Chaired by Maurice Strong, Senior Advisor to the President of the World Bank, the group included Senator Jack Austin; Tim Brodhead, President and Chief Executive Officer of the J.W. McConnell Family Foundation; Margaret Catley-Carson, President of the Population Council; John Evans, Chairman of the Board, Torstar Corporation; Yves Fortier, former Canadian Ambassador to the United Nations; Professor Gerald Helleiner of the Department of Economics, University of Toronto; Pierre-Marc Johnson, former Premier of Quebec and Professor Janice Gross Stein of the Department of Political Science, University of Toronto.
- 30 -
About IISD
The International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) is a globally recognized think tank with 3 decades of experience working to solve the world’s most pressing sustainable development challenges. We combine deep expertise in a wide range of issues with a collaborative approach to research, policy advice, and hands-on support to ensure these solutions are brought to life. Headquartered in Winnipeg, Manitoba, we are a diverse team of over 300 professionals working from offices in Canada, Switzerland, and other locations around the world.
You might also be interested in
Midpoint of the UN Tax Convention Negotiations: Where do talks stand?
The negotiations for a new UN Framework Convention on International Tax Cooperation have hit their halfway point. Here's a look at where things stand, what was on the table this round, and what's coming next.
Canadian Exporters Face New Reporting Costs as Carbon Border Taxes Multiply
The European Union’s carbon border tax will add new compliance costs for Canadian businesses that trade certain products, especially steel and aluminum, to the bloc. The increased costs—linked to differing demands for measuring, reporting, and verifying a product’s greenhouse gas emissions across the growing number of countries adopting border carbon adjustment (BCA) mechanisms—“make it tough for any exporter to those markets,” Aaron Cosbey, senior associate at the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD), told The Energy Mix.
Experimental Lakes gets $2M for major facilities upgrade
A one-of-a-kind research station is studying small lakes to inform freshwater science all over the world is getting a new facility with more space for scientists and students. Located between Dryden and Kenora, the International Institute for Sustainable Development’s Experimental Lakes Area allows scientists and students to run experiments on 58 small lakes in the area.
Province investing $2M to ‘ensure northwestern Ontario remains a global leader in freshwater science and research’
The Government of Ontario is making a targeted investment to “strengthen northern Ontario's leadership in freshwater science, support research and innovation and create new educational and economic opportunities in the region.” On Aug. 13, the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) — a regional granting subsidiary of the provincial government — announced that it will be investing $2 million to build a new Centre for Climate and Lake Learning at the International Institute for Sustainable Development Experimental Lakes Area (IISD-ELA), which is located about halfway between Kenora and Dryden.