What's New

What do Non-Governmental Organizations Do?  

What do NGOs Do? Non-governmental organizations play an increasingly important role in international development. They serve as a funnel for development funds both from individual donors in wealthy countries and from bilateral aid agencies. At the same time, NGOs are frequently idealized as organizations committed to "doing good" while setting aside profit or politics-a romantic view that is too starry-eyed, according to HBS professor Eric D. Werker and Faisal Z. Ahmed. Their paper argues that the strengths and weaknesses of NGOs easily fit into economists' conceptualization of not-for-profit contractors.

Canadian Test for Neonatal Hypothyroidism

Courtesy of Sharon Cunningham:

Congenital hypothyroidism is a health issue in regions of the world where there is a dietary deficiency of the micronutrient iodine. The sub Saharan region of Africa, central Asia and mountainous regions of South American are areas of prevalence for this curable cause of mental and physical retardation in children. Screening Devices Canada has developed a simple blood test that is CE marked to detect this condition shortly after birth. The test produces a result in minutes, allowing for the administration of iodine which will permit a normal, productive life. The test has been used in Uganda, Mali, Laos and is currently being evaluated in India.

For more information about this test and the possibility of evaluating it as part of a mother/child health program as well as the FDA approved adult test for hypothyroidism, see www.thyrochek.com or contact Sharon Cunningham, info@thyrochek.com.

Screening Devices Canada is a corporate member of CAIDC and Sharon Cunningham is the president of the company. She thought that CAIDC members working on health programs would be interested in this information and is providing the information to develop awareness of the availability of the device. While the company would profit if these tests were sold, she is offering the use of tests for assessment or evaluation, which implies no cost.

Could the Senate be Right? Should CIDA be Abolished?

Could the Senate be Right? Should CIDA be Abolished? by Chris Brown and Edward T. Jackson of Carelton University,is presented as a draft on the CAIDC website with permission of the authors. The paper is coming out as a chapter in How Ottawa Spends, Carleton's annual review of public policy, due to be published this summer. Chris Brown teaches in the Department of Political Science at Carleton University. Ted Jackson is the Associate Dean of Public Affairs at Carleton, a member of CAIDC, and one of its founders.

Freedom from Want

Ian Smillie's most recent book: Freedom From Want - The Remarkable Success Story of BRAC, the Global Grassroots Organization that's Winning the Fight Against Poverty, is available now. Ian Smillie was an early member of CAIDC whose major concern was professional development and codes of conduct to ensure that development consultants add value in all their work.

Private Members Bill on Foreign Aid

The recently approved Official Development Assistance Accountability Act, a private member's bill was passed by the House on May 9th, 2008 (after amendments by the Senate). The bill sets out criteria respecting resource allocation to international development agencies and enhances transparency and monitoring of Canada's international development efforts. In addition, it requires the government to consult "with governments, international agencies and Canadian civil society organizations at least once every two years." We have uploaded the document to our website at: http://caidc-rccdi.ca/documents/O-2.8.pdf

Manley Afghanistan Report

The release of the long-awaited report of the Independent Panel on Canada's Future Role in Afghanistan has been released, and is available on the NOWBlog under the Afghanistan topic.

Response from NF Health Minster

Ross Wiseman, Minster of Health for Newfoundland and Labrador, has sent a response to CAIDC's letter regarding access to health insurance for those working and travelling abroad. The letter is posted to the NOWBlog under Access to Health Care.

Response Received from government on OAS

Dominique La Salle, Director General of Seniors and Pensions Policy Secretariat responds to CAIDC's letter on behalf of HRSDC but fails to address CAIDC's concerns. Both letters are posted on the NOWBlog on old age security.

BC and Ontario Waive Wait for Health Care for Military

CAIDC has followed up with letters requesting the provincial ministers of health to extend this waiver to International Development specialists returning from overseas, as was done by Alberta. See the letters on NOWBlog under Health Care.

CAIDC Gender Equality on NOWBlog

Elaine Ward, a Human Rights Lawyer and gender specialist has requested that CAIDC create a new blog for gender issues. Interested consultants can review and post information by going to http://caidc-rccdi.ca/forum/topics.cfm and scrolling to the Gender Equality Topic.

Give us your feedback!