1. From Act to Action! Official Development Assistance Accountability Act

2. What is the ODAAA?

3. Previously known as bill c-293, It was passed on March 20 th 2008 The act attempts to ensure that all Canadian development assistance: Goes towards poverty reduction Takes into account the perspectives of the “poor” Is consistent with International Human Rights Standards The act includes that administering ministers must consult with “governments, international agencies, and Canadian civil society”

4. What is the ODAAA? Where is the problem?

5. What is the ODAAA? Where is the problem? There is no clear measurement for these criteria As long as the administering minister is “of the opinion” that these criteria are met then for all intents and purposes they have been met The act also includes the necessity consultation with civil society: Will this consultation be taken seriously? Who decides which members of civil society are present? Symbolic or informative?

6. Relevance What is the relevance of the ODAAA to EWB? To Canadian Citizens?

7. Relevance to EWB As an organization EWB strives to advocate for effective Canadian policy towards Africa. (one of our outcome areas) EWB has played a historic role with the ODAAA EWB flexed its grass routes network to meet with MPs and engage the public through petitions, opinion editorials, and outreach events Since the act was passed EWB has critiqued the implementation Ex: Aid shift of 2009 – did the shift align with the bill? Ex: Report to Parliament

8. Relevance to Canadian Citizens 1.6 Billion tax payer dollars are spent by CIDA in Africa each year This act outlines how our nation will spend Canadian money with regards to development assistance Canadian Citizens have a voice to share how they feel Canada’s ODA should be conducted

9. Act to Action!

10. The Issue A Report to Parliament on Canada’s ODA was published in 2009 As an organization EWB feels that the report falls short: It does not provide parliament with the “full picture” It focuses on vague inputs as opposed to the outcomes of our spending There is no focus on the effectiveness of our ODA The Report is a start, but there is room for Canadians to show support for effective reporting and more accountability!

11. What can you do? Currently there is great potential for EWB to engage Canadian citizens and politicians with regards to the ODAAA and the report Sharing the ODAAA and its relevance to friends a family is a great way to spark discussion and hopefully lead to political engagement. A powerful tool for citizens to express their concern is “letter writing” – either send a letter or encourage others to do so!

12. Why write a letter? Letters can be an effective way to... Encourage an MP to pursue a specific issue To praise admirable action and encourage similar action in the future To share your opinion on specific issues To discourage certain actions

13. Effective letter writing Some thoughts before we begin: Effective letters typically: Introduce the author and the issue Offer encouragement to the MP for government successes Keep a polite and professional tone Ask questions! Create the impression that the issue at hand is of great importance Take a look at James Haga’s sample letter or the letter writing template!