December 21, 2022
Although a relatively quiet period over the summer months, the External Relations Committee continues to advance on a number of priorities for members and has been participating in a range of meetings with GAC.[AW1][S42]
Most recently, and as presented in a CAIDP-hosted webinar in September, members of the External Relations Committee participated in consultations and contributed to the updating GAC’s Technical assistance Handbook – now called the Overseas Directive Handbook. This updated document replaces the former TA Handbook and provides guidance on eligible expenses and benefits for posted personnel on overseas assignment with a minimum duration of twelve consecutive months on Global Affairs Canada International Development Assistance funded projects. CAIDP member input are well reflected in the new document and represents a more streamlined approach to determination and calculation of eligible costs for individuals on long-term assignment and as applicable under the contractual terms.
Task Force on Increasing Effectiveness (TAFIE): CAIDP continues to be an active member on this task force, but the committee is in a period of reflection with GAC. Following several years of successful initiatives, the committee is currently assessing next steps to determine the best path forward to maintain opportunities for engagement. CAIDP is part of this process and hopes to have an update in our next bulletin.
GAC Day of Dialogue: The External Relations Committee and several CAIDP members participated in this day of dialogue with GAC. More than 50 GAC representatives were present to engage with the sector and discuss topics including localization and the dual crisis of climate change and food security and mobilizing the SDGs. GAC also unveiled the plan to transform grants and contributions, which will be occurring over the next five years and will change how GAC works at every level internally and with partners. The External Relations Committee will ensure that members are informed of every opportunity to provide input into the process and provide other updates as they become available. We will also provide a more detailed summary of the Day of Dialogue in the coming weeks.
Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Engagement, Dialogue and Exposition (CEDE): The External Relations Committee is pleased to inform members of the second annual CEDE event with Global Affairs Canada’s, Grants & Contributions Management Bureau. CEDE 2022 will be a hybrid event that will run from Tuesday, November 15 to Wednesday, November 16, 2022, with the in-person event at the Palais des Congrès de Gatineau. To support the deep dive CEDE sessions there will be “Transfer Payments 101” sessions virtually on Monday, November 14th. Many CAIDP members will be attending.
Dialogue with Decision-Makers: The External Relations Committee has collaborated with the Program and Conference Committee on developing a series of discussions with Canadian policy makers from the Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development. The first webinar, on Disinformation and International Development is being prepared for the end of November.
Partnering for Climate (P4C) Community of Practice: The External Relations Committee and members of the Program Committee have been meeting with GAC’s P4C Task Force and C4D, Canadian Foodgrains Bank, CAN Canada, and other interested groups for updates and feedback regarding the recent P4C process and the potential for a Nature Based Solutions and Biodiversity Community of Practice. We will report back to members on any new developments.