Cooperation Canada is proud to announce the launch of the Anti-Racism Framework for Canada’s International Cooperation Sector, developed by our independent advisory group after months of consultations. Below is their statement:   

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We are tremendously grateful to colleagues, allies and critics of our sector who have contributed to the elaboration of the Anti-Racism Framework. This is a true collective effort that we hope will accelerate our collective shift towards a more antiracist sector. 

 This Framework is a firm recognition of the responsibility of the international cooperation sector to address systemic racism, which is an important step towards intentional and continuous action and the promotion of human rightsBut the Framework is so much more: it is a collective springboard for greater accountability and data on racial justice, more equitable organizations, more dignifying narratives of and by our sector, and a multitude of collaborative initiatives aimed at proactive antiracist efforts and the amplification of Black, Indigenous and other racialized voices in Canada and abroad.  

 By officially signing onto the Framework, 78 organizations of various sizes, charitable purposes and geographical location have pledged to work within their institutions, with their peer organizations and partners, and with the general public, to advance deliberate antiracist action. The Framework, available here in English and French, outlines key commitments that represent the minimum benchmarks for meaningful antiracist shifts. With the overarching commitment of centering Black, Indigenous and other racialized employees, volunteers, partners and other stakeholders, the Framework is focused on transforming international cooperation organizations, the narratives we promote and the work we and our partners do.  

 The Framework is accompanied by an overarching indicator framework, which informs annual surveys that signatories are requested to submit. The annual surveys are developed and analyzed by a Task Force, which is co-led by sector actors and which will produce annual reports with recommendations for collective and institutional sector efforts. These recommendations will be presented to the Working Group and the broader public on May 21, 2021. Annual reports will be used to signal sector trends, inform most effective action and help sector actors hold themselves and each other accountable for the prioritization of anti-racist efforts in their organizations and their work.   

 We thank the signatory organizations, whose staff and leadership declared a commitment to contributing to a more equitable, racially just future. This Framework is not all that we will do, but it is a start. Over the next period, we aim to build around this collective Framework and construct inclusive structures supporting signatories to make progress on Framework commitments and support international and domestic partners working on similar objectives, particularly those led by Black, Indigenous and other racialized groups. This Framework is not perfect nor final. As our Open Letter to the Sector states: “This is just the beginning, and we can’t wait to begin this work with you. 

In solidarity, 

 

Anti-Racism Advisory Group convened by Cooperation Canada  

 

 List of signatory organizations 

 

ADRA Canada 

Aga Khan Foundation Canada 

AIPEO Canada 

Alberta Council for Global Cooperation 

Alternatives  

Association québécoise des organismes de coopération internationale (AQOCI) 

Atlantic Council for International Cooperation 

British Columbia Council for International Cooperation 

Canada Sierra Leone Friendship Society Inc. 

Canada World Youth – Jeunesse Canada Monde 

Canadian Association for the Study of International Development 

Canadian Audit and Accountability Foundation 

Canadian Christian Relief & Development Association (CCRDA) 

Canadian Feed the Children 

Canadian Foodgrains Bank 

Canadian Partnership for Women and Children’s Health (CanWaCH) 

Canadian Red Cross 

CARE Canada 

Carrefour international bas-laurentien pour l’engagement social (CIBLES) 

CECI (Centre d’études et de coopération internationale) 

Children Believe 

Clowns Sans Frontières 

Coady International Institute 

CODE

Comité de Solidarité/Trois-Rivières 

Cooperation Canada 

Crossroads International / Carrefour International 

Cuso International 

Development and Peace – Caritas Canada 

Développement, Expertise et Solidarité Internationale (DESI) 

Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) Canada 

Engineers Without Borders Canada 

Equitas 

Ethiopiaid Canada 

FairTrade Canada 

Farm Radio International 

Fondation Paul Gérin-Lajoie 

Fondation Village Monde 

FSA Université Laval 

Global Health Projects, University of Calgary 

Grand Challenges Canada 

Humanitarian Coalition 

Inter Pares 

Interagency Coalition on AIDS and Development 

Inter-Council Network 

International Teams Canada 

IRIS Mundial 

Islamic Relief Canada 

Manitoba Council for International Cooperation 

Mennonite Economic Development Associates

Mennonite Central Committee Canada

Mission inclusion 

Northern Council for Global Cooperation 

Ontario Council for International Cooperation  

Oxfam Canada 

Oxfam-Québec 

Partners in Health Canada 

Peace Africa Alliance Consulting, Educating and Training Centre (PAACET) 

Presbyterian World Service & Development 

Rayjon Share Care of Sarnia, Inc. 

Results Canada 

Saskatchewan Council for International Cooperation 

Save the Children Canada 

Solidarité Montérégie Amérique Centrale 

Teach Peace Development 

Tearfund Canada 

Tenth Church Vancouver 

The Dallaire Institute for Children, Peace and Security 

The Equality Fund 

the Jane Goodall Institute of Canada 

The Wellspring Foundation for Education 

Trade Facilitation Office Canada/Bureau de promotion du commerce Canada 

Ujeengo Global Community 

United Church of Canada 

VIDEA 

World Renew 

World University Service of Canada (WUSC) 

World Vision 

YMCA Canada