Canada & the UN > Canada at the UN: A Proud Tradition

Development

The vast majority of us support international aid, which is only natural, as helping others in need is a central value for Canadians. For Canada, international assistance is more than offering short term aid; it is a means of improving global security by helping to deal with many of the problems that threaten human security. It is also a means of helping countries to lift themselves out of poverty and to build a stronger global economy which will benefit all people. This takes a long-term commitment, one that Canada has made.

Canada provides aid to all parts of the world, and, through this experience, realizes that the needs and capabilities of specific countries must be taken into consideration. We have also learned that a successful development programme has to be people-centred. Our technical experience and, perhaps more importantly, our sensitivity to development issues makes Canada an important participant in international assistance and development.

While Canada has done a great deal of unilateral work through government organizations such as the Canadian International Development Agency, the International Development Research Centre, and an extensive network of non-governmental organizations, we acknowledge the need for global action to combat poverty and to improve the situations of the people of the world. For this reason, Canada has been a strong supporter of the UN’s development programmes. Canadians have provided direction for many UN agencies and funds such as the United Nations Children’s Fund, the World Health Organization, and the Food and Agricultural Organization, organizations that have saved millions of lives. We are proud of the role that Canada has played in development assistance, both nationally and multilaterally through the UN.