PE-DEV Toolkit / Trousse à outils de MP-DEV/part1

Part 1: Getting Started

Understanding Global Citizenship

What is a “global citizen”?

A global citizens is someone who is aware of global issues and who understand the world and their place in it. They take, in their own way, an active role to contribute to building a peaceful, prosperous and inclusive world. This also means that they understand how major challenges facing the world today are connected to us, and how Canada’s international development efforts contribute to alleviating them.

As global citizens become more engaged, they are better able to appreciate how Canada’s international development efforts align with Canada’s Feminist International Assistance Policy and our contributions to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Individuals continuously move along a sequence (or a continuum) from basic awareness of global issues, moving to deeper understanding of global development challenges through to active involvement and informed action.

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The learning process is not linear and Individuals can be at different stages of this sequence (or continuum), depending on circumstances. For example, one might be at the awareness level regarding judiciary reform, at the understanding level for peace building and at the action stage on women’s rights.

As well, organizations may work at different stages of the continuum and with different target groups. For instance one organization could provide information to the general public, deliver education programs to students for deeper knowledge, and provide opportunities for concrete actions by individuals and groups.

Importance of Partnerships

To ensure that Canada efficiently engages the most Canadians possible as global citizens, Global Affairs Canada partners and collaborates with different civil society organisations (CSOs), including non-governmental organizations, universities and associations.

Global Affairs Canada’s policy on Civil Society Partnerships for International Assistance includes “Engagement of Canadians as global citizens” as its 8^th objective. This Policy sets out the Department’s approach to enhancing effective cooperation with Canadian, international and local civil society organizations to maximize the impact and results of Canada’s international assistance and foster a strong and vibrant civil society sector.

Objective 8 of Canada’s policy on Civil Society Partnerships for International Assistance : Engaging Canadians as global citizens in international assistance

Canadian CSOs are globally recognized leaders for their expertise in the areas of peace and security, humanitarian action and sustainable, transformative development. They also have a unique and positive approach to supporting local CSOs to build capacity and take ownership of their programming and results. Their strong relationships with local CSOs, including women’s organizations, strengthen Canada’s engagement at the community level and enhance Canada’s networks abroad. Global Affairs Canada is committed to engaging with diverse Canadian CSO partners, to build their capacity and maximize the global impact of Canada’s CSO community. Establishing new Canadian CSO partnerships can increase the effectiveness of the Department’s and CSOs’ own international assistance efforts, and ensure that Canada’s investments yield lasting results. Canadian CSOs play a key role in expressing Canadian values and telling Canada’s feminist international assistance story, which can foster global citizenship, particularly among youth, and help inspire Canadians to engage in transformative action to reduce poverty and overcome gender inequality. CSOs engage Canadians in a broader and deeper understanding of international issues, including promoting global citizenship and mobilizing citizens to participate actively in Canada’s international assistance efforts. Action area 8.1: Global Affairs Canada will, where appropriate, encourage Canadian CSOs to create pan-Canadian partnerships with global reach that can tackle major development challenges, such as gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls Action area 8.2: Global Affairs Canada will amplify the work of CSO partners to strategically engage Canadians in international assistance through innovative digital technologies and an enhanced online presence Action area 8.3: Global Affairs Canada will invest strategically in Canadian CSO public engagement activities, in Canada and abroad, that enhance visibility and raise awareness of Canada’s international assistance results, as well as building citizen engagement and contributions to international assistance efforts

Basic Guidelines

This section is intended to ensure that all users of this toolkit are familiar with the basics of public engagement. The guidelines comprised in this section will help organizations new to the topic properly approach public engagement initiatives. You may skip this section if you already have experience on this and want to directly start exploring the tools of the toolkit.

The following are the three ”tip sheets” that are included in this section:

1.3.1. Planning stage: how to prepare and plan your initiates

1.3.2. Best practices to consider

1.3.3. Types of engagement initiatives: examples and tips

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