Canada Has A Role To Play In Iraq

A key role that Canada can play is in the dissemination of ideas. Canadian institutions such as Elections Canada, the Forum of Federation and Carleton University, backed by Canadian public funds, have provided effective, concrete assistance to Iraq's democratic process. Canadian taxpayers have also been extremely generous in donating a $300 million fund for the reconstruction of Iraq. This admirable record of Canadian solidarity with the people of Iraq can be enhanced in four ways. First, Canada can work directly with Iraqi NGOs, thereby creating a partnership between capable Canadian institutions and Iraqi counterparts with an established track record. This means changing the current strategy of giving block grants to international bureaucracies to spend on Canada's behalf, an approach that lacks effectiveness and does not deliver value for money for the Canadian taxpayer. By removing this unnecessary and inefficient layer of international bureaucracy, the influence and impact of Canada will be more clearly felt. Canadian institutions are world class – Iraqis can benefit from direct contact with them. Second, Canada can assist with government capacity-building at all levels. Iraq is a federation, like Canada. Iraq's federal, regional and provincial governments all need assistance in best practices and basic training, relating to the provision of public services, and to the promotion of good intergovernmental relations. Canada, with its world-class system of government and administrative practice, is well placed to offer such help. http://www.thestar.com/opinion/article/210232 [Proofreader's note: this article was edited for spelling and typos on May 7, 2007]

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