Renewal: A New Era for International Development Professionals
2016 Annual Conference, May 9 - 10, 2016
Hellenic Meeting & Reception Centre, 1315 Prince of Wales Drive, Ottawa, Ontario
| Session: | Want to Find Governance in the New SDGs? Look Everywhere! |
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Speakers: |
Thomas (Tom) Cormier, International Governance and Development Professional Michael Bitz, Vice President (Public Financial Management and Accountability), Cowater International Alisha Todd, Director General, ParlAmericas Monika LeRoy, Former Senior Policy Advisor to the Minister of Foreign Affairs |
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Objective: |
In its report to the UN Secretary General, The High Level Panel on the Sustainable Development Goals called for “a fundamental shift – to recognize peace and good governance as core elements of well-being, not an optional extra”. And despite considerable advocacy to make “governance” a standalone goal, it did not make the cut. Is this a failure or an opportunity? In the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals unveiled in September, 2015, governance is most directly articulated under the rubric of SDG Goal 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions with specific targets to “develop responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making; ensure effective, accountable and transparent institutions; reduce corruption and to promote the rule of law”. But a closer look reveals that accountable governance is at the heart of each SDG. In this panel, we will explore how enhanced development assistance that strengthens governance can ensure measureable progress on every single SDG from poverty reduction to gender equality to quality education to clean water and sanitation. We will discuss how Canadians are leaders in impactful governance programming to support: good governance through inclusive processes for rulemaking; effective governance through institutions with the capacity to resolve public policy challenges and equitable governance through equal application of the rule of law, safeguarding public resources and balancing the distribution of wealth and opportunity in society. |
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Biography(ies): |
Thomas (Tom) Cormier, International Governance and Development Professional
Working internationally for over 15 years, Tom has designed and directed numerous governance strengthening and democratic development programs in a variety of challenging and dynamic transitional political environments. The programs sought to provide skills-building for elected officials and foster reform of legislatures; strengthen political parties and civil society organizations; encourage peaceful political dialogue about constitutional and democratic framework reform; and increase citizen engagement in the democratic process. Tom has worked on behalf of the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA), the National Democratic Institute (NDI), Democracy International (DI), the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE/ODIHR), the World Bank, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the International Center for Human Rights and Democratic Development (Rights and Democracy). Tom’s international governance and electoral experience includes Canada, Ukraine, Poland, Georgia, Indonesia, China, Hong Kong, United States, Australia, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Madagascar, Swaziland, Lesotho, Botswana, Malawi, Djibouti, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Libya, Egypt, Haiti and Myanmar (Burma). |
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Michael Bitz, Vice President (Public Financial Management and Accountability), Cowater International
Alisha Todd, Director General, ParlAmericas
Alisha's passion for the Americas started in her teens; having on occasion lived, worked and traveled throughout the region. She speaks English, French, Portuguese, and Spanish and is a graduate from the University of Toronto's Trinity College, specializing in International Relations and Latin American Studies. |
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Monika LeRoy, Former Senior Policy Advisor to the Minister of Foreign Affairs
In addition, Monika has spent over 5 years in the not-for-profit sector, working with think tanks and INGOs committed to international relations, security, gender and democratic development. Based in Amman, Jordan, Monika worked with the National Democratic Institute developing programs and curriculum for women’s political participation, civil society development and governance. As the Deputy Director for Programs at the International Centre for Human Rights and Democratic Development (Rights & Democracy), she was in charge of the design and implementation of a portfolio of human rights and democracy programming in fragile and transitioning democracies in over a dozen countries. Monika holds a Masters of Law in International Law with International Relations from the University of Kent. |
Tom is a democratic governance expert with over 25 years of experience in Europe, Eurasia, Asia, the Americas and Africa. Involved in Canadian politics for over a decade, Tom participated in numerous election campaigns and worked at the House of Commons as an advisor to several Members of Parliament, including serving as Executive Assistant to a member of the federal Cabinet. 
Michael Bitz is a Project Director and Public Financial Management Expert with Cowater International, Mr. Bitz has 15 years of experience in public financial management. His expertise are in public resource management where he has lead the review and assessment of public financial management systems, integrated financial management systems, business processes, institutional policies, government financial and accounting policies, and capacity development initiatives at both the local and national level. Mr. Bitz has provided expert policy and technical advice to bilateral and multilateral agencies on issues related to government and institutional reform initiatives in public financial management, public accounting standards and governance. As Project Director with Cowater's Public Financial Management and Accountability practice, he is responsible for management and implementation of international development projects, including activities in Cameroon, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Madagascar. Past experience has included public financial management assessments and audit strengthening projects in Nepal, Afghanistan, Cape Verde, South Sudan, Tunisia, Haiti, Bangladesh, and Somaliland. He has earned a B.A. in Business Administration and Accounting from the Université du Québec en Outaouais and a Master of Science in International Finance and Accounting (International Financial Reporting) from the University of Liverpool.
Alisha Todd joined ParlAmericas in March 2014, bringing her expertise and enthusiasm for promoting democratic principles and strengthening governance institutions. Prior to joining ParlAmericas, Alisha specialized in designing and implementing international democracy, governance, humanitarian, and security sector programming with an Ottawa-based NGO. Alisha has extensive experience in developing innovative programming, strengthening relationships, and building partnerships with international and regional stakeholders.
Monika LeRoy is a gender, democracy and human rights development professional. Most recently, Monika served as Senior Policy Advisor to two successive Canadian foreign ministers, responsible for Canada’s role in multilateral forums, geographic interests in Latin American and Africa, as well as thematic priorities including, gender, democracy, and human rights, globally. Her career has been dedicated to high-level politics and senior government, entering politics in 2006 working in the Policy and Research section of newly elected Office of the Prime Minister, in Canada. During her time in Canadian politics, Monika gained extensive experience working on election readiness in government, as well as working on campaigns at the national and local level.