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Official Development Assistance Accountability Act

Official Development Assistance Accountability Act. From Act to Action!. What is the ODAAA? . What is the ODAAA?. Previously known as bill c-293, It was passed on March 20 th 2008 The act attempts to ensure that all Canadian development assistance: Goes towards poverty reduction

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Official Development Assistance Accountability Act

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  1. Official Development Assistance Accountability Act From Act to Action!

  2. What is the ODAAA?

  3. What is the ODAAA? • Previously known as bill c-293, • It was passed on March 20th 2008 • The act attempts to ensure that all Canadian development assistance: • Goes towards poverty reduction • Takes into account the perspectives of the “poor” • Is consistent with International Human Rights Standards • The act includes that administering ministers must consult with “governments, international agencies, and Canadian civil society”

  4. What is the ODAAA? • Where is the problem?

  5. What is the ODAAA? • Where is the problem? • There is no clear measurement for these criteria • As long as the administering minister is “of the opinion” that these criteria are met then for all intents and purposes they have been met • The act also includes the necessity consultation with civil society: • Will this consultation be taken seriously? • Who decides which members of civil society are present? • Symbolic or informative?

  6. Relevance What is the relevance of the ODAAA to EWB? To Canadian Citizens?

  7. Relevance to EWB • As an organization EWB strives to advocate for effective Canadian policy towards Africa. (one of our outcome areas) • EWB has played a historic role with the ODAAA • EWB flexed its grass routes network to meet with MPs and engage the public through petitions, opinion editorials, and outreach events • Since the act was passed EWB has critiqued the implementation • Ex: Aid shift of 2009 – did the shift align with the bill? • Ex: Report to Parliament

  8. Relevance to Canadian Citizens • 1.6 Billion tax payer dollars are spent by CIDA in Africa each year • This act outlines how our nation will spend Canadian money with regards to development assistance • Canadian Citizens have a voice to share how they feel Canada’s ODA should be conducted

  9. Act to Action!

  10. The Issue • A Report to Parliament on Canada’s ODA was published in 2009 • As an organization EWB feels that the report falls short: • It does not provide parliament with the “full picture” • It focuses on vague inputs as opposed to the outcomes of our spending • There is no focus on the effectiveness of our ODA • The Report is a start, but there is room for Canadians to show support for effective reporting and more accountability!

  11. What can you do? • Currently there is great potential for EWB to engage Canadian citizens and politicians with regards to the ODAAA and the report • Sharing the ODAAA and its relevance to friends a family is a great way to spark discussion and hopefully lead to political engagement. • A powerful tool for citizens to express their concern is “letter writing” – either send a letter or encourage others to do so!

  12. Why write a letter? • Letters can be an effective way to... • Encourage an MP to pursue a specific issue • To praise admirable action and encourage similar action in the future • To share your opinion on specific issues • To discourage certain actions

  13. Effective letter writing • Some thoughts before we begin: • Effective letters typically: • Introduce the author and the issue • Offer encouragement to the MP for government successes • Keep a polite and professional tone • Ask questions! • Create the impression that the issue at hand is of great importance • Take a look at James Haga’s sample letter or the letter writing template!

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