Melanie Samson, BPE’s Post

My latest blog for Strategic Steps Inc on the importance of municipal councillor orientations. There’s a lot of unknown unknowns out there and it pays to set yourself up for success. Municipal elections are coming up this fall in Nova Scotia - reach out today to book your orientation sessions. #nsmuni

Last week, Canada’s Civil Society Policy Advisory Group brought together more than 20 civil society organizations (CSOs) and Global Affairs Canada representatives to advance Canada’s Policy for Civil Society Partnerships for International Assistance. Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples, creating an enabling civic space for CSOs, funding transparency and locally led development were at the heart of this 2-day event, which was aimed at breathing life into the CSO policy and strengthening ties with CSO partners. Anchored in Canada’s Feminist International Assistance Policy and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, Canada’s civil society policy seeks to enhance effective cooperation with Canadian CSOs to maximize the impact and results of Canada’s international assistance and foster a strong and vibrant civil society sector. #GlobalSolidarity #internationalcooperation #internationaldevelopment | VIDEA | Cooperation Canada

📣Calling civil society in the Commonwealth! I recently attended a Regional Conversation held by the Commonwealth Foundation which was part of a Commonwealth-wide process aimed at capturing the views of civil society and presenting them to leaders at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Samoa in October of this year. This is an important opportunity to shape the global discussion around #climatejustice, #healthjustice and #freedomofexpression I want fellow advocates to join me in this process. The Commonwealth Foundation is inviting everyone from the Asia and Indian Ocean region to share their regional priorities via the Path to Samoa: Online Consultation—whether you’re a seasoned practitioner or an undergraduate just starting out at university. Do you have some time to complete the consultation form? It can take as little time as five minutes to complete—though please consider your answers carefully: https://lnkd.in/gjVqK7-v 🗓️The deadline for submissions from the Asia and Indian Ocean region is Thursday, 16 May 2024. The findings of the online consultation and the Regional Conversations will be summarised and presented to decision-makers over the course of CHOGM. It’s vital that we use every opportunity we have to influence world leaders. Decisions that affect us must involve us—and your voice is crucial. Let me know if you take part in the comments. #CivilSociety #Commonwealth #CommonwealthPeoplesForum #CommonwealthHeadsOfGovernmentsMeetings #ClimateJustice #HealthJustice #FreedomOfExpression

Truth and Reconciliation is crucial because it acknowledges the historical injustices faced by Indigenous peoples and the ongoing impact of those injustices today. Understanding this topic helps to foster empathy, respect, and a commitment to healing relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities. It encourages us to learn from the past and take meaningful action toward justice and equity. Becoming familiar with Truth and Reconciliation is a step toward building a more inclusive and compassionate society for all. #reconciliation #decolonize

This is my first article in the Hill Times that I wrote: https://lnkd.in/gkZtPfRn

Today, the New Brunswick Business Council has released a report by David Campbell of Jupia Consultants Inc. entitled “Growing the export economy: Key to New Brunswick’s future prosperity” which calls attention to the significant decline of New Brunswick’s economic growth in recent years. The chambers of commerce of Fredericton, Greater Moncton and the Saint John Region welcome the new NBBC report as our chambers have equally encouraged decisive action and alignment of government policy to address pressing issues hindering economic growth within the province. This report has outlined the key trends of economic performance in New Brunswick and provided four guiding principles and three initiatives for immediate action. The intent is to propel the conversation concerning the reinvigoration of economic development in our province. The chambers of commerce of Fredericton, Greater Moncton and the Saint John Region stand ready to collaborate with all stakeholders in efforts of ensuring a future of sustained growth in New Brunswick. Read our Full Statement HERE https://ccgm.ca/housing/ Find the Report HERE https://ow.ly/Tx3S50SmIYR

It is time for poly-lateralism to be adopted because multilateralism is floundering. This would mean giving a seat on the table to civil society, trade unions and business groups along with governments and IGOs.

There is a ‘golden rule’ that still remains as relevant as ever ‘treat others as you would want others to treat you’. This ethic of reciprocity has deep roots in the civil societies that we take for granted including Australia. We in Australia take pride in the idea that we are the country of the ‘fair go’. Yet when it comes to undocumented arrivals by boat we are far from living up to this ideal. It is always easy to treat people harshly in the interest of sovereign borders when your borders are in fact not threatened or where you face little likelihood of being displaced yourself. Yet many countries who do face porous borders and internal and external conflicts demonstrate more compassion and willingness to vulnerable people from other countries fleeing civil strife, war or other reasons that have made it untenable to stay. Our country who has the benefit of distance and a maritime border at every point of the vast continental island state we inhabit has for over three decades not lived up to the golden rule. What is often forgotten is the self interest that lies at the heart of the golden rule. If we were to face a different future where Australians found themselves needing to find refuge and safety - how would we want to be treated. That is why at the Edmund Rice Centre we’re calling for compassionate sovereign borders and a policy reframing that is true to the ethics of reciprocity.

The Department of Home Affairs has released a discussion paper: Supporting strong and sustainable regions, Review of Regional Migration Settings Discussion Paper. The discussion paper proposes five key objectives for regional migration, with a focus to align these with the national objectives of the migration system as outlined in the Migration Strategy. It includes challenges with regional migration settings, as well as highlighting strengths and positive outcomes from existing arrangements. RDAMWG would encourage you to provide a submission to the review, at the following website: Review of Regional Migration Settings discussion paper (homeaffairs.gov.au).  #regionalmigration #midwestgascoyne

In the twenty years since its launch, the European Neighborhood Policy has seen a lot of conceptual changes affecting its framework. Our experts Tamar Gamkrelidze, Ph.D. and Arto Väisänen analyze how the EU has discursively framed the ENP since 2003 👇 engage-eu.eu/wp15