The Role of Canadian Civil Society Organizations in Global Development

This report examines the crucial role of Canadian Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in global development, emphasizing their efforts in addressing social and economic issues, particularly in regions facing poverty and conflict. The report highlights the work of the Canadian Council for International Cooperation (CCIC) in aligning with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It then presents a case study on the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Kenya, focusing on its cash donation program aimed at alleviating poverty in drought-stricken areas. The analysis contrasts charity-based approaches with social justice models, referencing the Campaign for Female Education (CAMFED) as an example of a long-term, empowering strategy. The conclusion underscores the importance of both charity and social justice in humanitarian aid, while recognizing the ICRC's contributions to the SDGs in Kenya.

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Role Of Canadian Cso In Global Development
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ROLE OF CANADIAN CSO IN GLOBAL DEVELOPMENT
Introduction
The importance of civil society organisations in the world in addressing social and
economic issues cannot be undermined. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)
and discuss it’s the activities in removing Poverty in Kenya would be discussed. The ICRC being
a global community, works constantly in changing lives of the deprived, underprivileged. ICRC
Kenya has been functioning effectively in the country and has success stories that reveal their
effectiveness in achieving the sustainability goals.
Role of CSO in Global Development
The Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) pan across international borders and work
towards development of the society and the environment. Around the globe they are generally
directed towards the development of the communities that are exposed to conflicts, poverty,
malnutrition and exploitation. The role they play in delivering social development with
sustainable means is immense owing to its success in bringing societal change.
CCIC and SDGs of UN
The Canadian Council for International Cooperation (CCIC) is an independent
organisation that voices for the international development of underprivileged communities
around the world. The CCIC consisting of over eighty members works relentlessly to end global
poverty along with promoting social justice for all. The CCIC equally works to make their
agenda a public and political priority in order to encourage a poverty free world and turn this
dream to a reality (CCIC, 2019).

ROLE OF CANADIAN CSO IN GLOBAL DEVELOPMENT
The United Nations have adopted Sustainable Development Goals which are a set of
seventeen goals to attain global transformation. These goals are achieved through means of
collaboration and tie ups with organisation working towards similar goals.
(Agenda2030delegationen.se, 2019). With the context of the SDG, ICRC has similar goal sets
and is involved in providing humanitarian assistance for development of economically backward
regions of the world.
Role of ICRC in KENYA
The International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC) has been playing a vital role in
Kenya’s development. The ICRC has been working in various programmes providing relief,
humanitarian assistance, economic support and environmental programmes in order to develop
the socio economic environment of the country. The following section will broadly discuss about
one of the major projects that involved poverty eradication programme implemented by the
ICRC in Kenya (ICRC, 2019).
The Cash donation programme to drought hit Kenya: A poverty alleviation programme
The International committee of the Red Cross in association with the Kenya Red Cross
Society had initiated a donation programme in the drought hit areas of the Lamu and Tana Delta
along the coast of Kenya. The Committee in April disbursed an approximate of 100 to 166 US
Dollars in three monthly installment plans to total of 7869 households in the region. These
donations were made in order to provide financial assistance to the most affected people in order
to overcome their financial crisis. The donation programme also involved distribution of 100 US
dollars to an approximate of 64 households affected by drought in the regions of Bula Rahama
with similar motives. The general population of the drought hit regions of Kenya was greatly

ROLE OF CANADIAN CSO IN GLOBAL DEVELOPMENT
dependent upon cattle rearing and was dependent upon their cattle to meet their ends (ICRC,
2019).
The article shares the story of Halim and his family affected greatly due to the drought
and explores how donation brought a change into their lives providing them the much required
assistance after the severe conditions of drought. Halim when interviewed reveals that the
assistance would be helpful in providing immediate nourishment to his family. He also plans to
buy few cattle to restart his livelihood. Financial assistance when adequately managed can bring
people out of their poverty. ICRC and the Red Cross Kenya donation programmes are the
initiative that allow for restructuring of the economy of the households allowing them to mend
their resources and to initiate fresh sources of income in order to end their level of poverty.
Charity and Social Justice Approaches
ICRC and Red Cross Kenya fund donation programme is aligned more towards a charity
rather than being a social justice scenario. The Social justice is a long term initiative that is
aimed at bringing changes in the policy and structural frameworks. Charity provides a short term
solution to an ongoing issue and is only responsible to provide a period of relief but does not
provide a long term support. As Alexander (2019) states that it is more important to develop a
sense of responsibility to eradicate poverty and promote development, rather than providing
charity which hardly manages to provide any long term solution and therefore the poorest of the
poor become neglected and ignored behind the borders and the statistical figures.
A Social justice approach on the other hand involves empowering people through
assistance in form of financial and social ways. The Campaign for Female Education

ROLE OF CANADIAN CSO IN GLOBAL DEVELOPMENT
(CAMFED) is an organisation that works towards poverty alleviation in Africa. They work to
empower women by educating them. They work following the model of social justice and
achieves the SDGs through a long term effort (Camfed.org, 2019). CAMFED not only provides
support for education but continues to support them till they are financially stable. The works
are majorly associated in Ghana and other parts of the Africa. This is a social justice model
approach which is contrary to the charity model ad provides a long term solution in achieving the
SDGs.
Conclusion:
The concept of charity and social justice in the context of humanitarian aid to backward
regions which are economically challenged involve a dichotomous relation. However for regions
facing immediate crisis or disaster can be alleviated with charity for the time being but would not
facilitate a long term solution to the ongoing problem. It is to be understood that ICRC in Kenya
is involved in a host of activities that relate to the Sustainable Development Goals framed by the
United Nations for achieving global development. The fund reimbursement programme to the
drought hit regions will not eradicate poverty but would allow the initial relief which can pave
the way to a more sustainable means of development thereby helping in eradication of poverty.

ROLE OF CANADIAN CSO IN GLOBAL DEVELOPMENT
References:
Agenda2030delegationen.se. (2019). Retrieved from https://agenda2030delegationen.se/wp-
content/uploads/2018/05/Drawing-on-good-Sustainable-Development-Goals-
practices_slutrapport.pdf
Alexander, D. (2019). Responsibility to the poor: a matter of justice, not charity | Douglas
Alexander. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/poverty-
matters/2010/oct/08/douglas-alexander-responsibility-poor-justice
Camfed.org. (2019). CAMFED Ghana – CAMFED - Campaign for Female Education. Retrieved
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CCIC. (2019). Africa - Canada Forum - Canadian Council for International Co-operation.
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refugee-camp-recycle-plastic-income-livelihoods
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ICRC. (2019). Search results | Resource centre. Retrieved from
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