@nformer

CIDA vice president describes success
stories during recent visit to College

n January 31, the Asia Pacific

Management Cooperative Program
welcomed Charles Bassett, senior vice
president of the Canadian International
Development Agency, to Capilano
College.

“It was a pleasure to host Mr. Bassett
during his visit to Capilano College,”
says Laura Pashkewych, a first-year
associate in the APMCP. “His insight on
Canadian involvement in international
development was of significant value,
particularly to those students who
maintain career aspirations in the
international aid field.”

CIDA is a Canadian agency dedicated
to supporting sustainable development
and reducing poverty in developing
countries. In collaboration with various
partners, CIDA provides assistance in
the form of goods, services, the transfer
of knowledge and skills, and financial
contributions.

CIDA’s vice president pointed out
some of the success stories that are
directly related to foreign aid. For
instance, the life expectancy rate in the
developing world today is 63 years of
age compared to 46 years of age 20
years ago. Birth rates in developing
countries have declined over the years to
3.6 children per family from six children
on average. This indicates a direct
correlation between the education of
women and the reduction of birth rates.
Other improvements include rising
literacy, increasing immunization rates
which have eradicated smallpox (among
other ailments), and the emergence of
microcredit which allows women access
to small amounts of money, which

precipitates income generating activities.

Senior CIDA vice president, Charles Bassett (centre, standing), is flanked by
associates and faculty members of the APMCP and LAMP. His visit provided
valuable insight to everyone in attendance. (Photo by Edna Sakata.)

These significant results, stemming
directly from international involvement
in aid practices, demonstrate the
positive impact that such programs and
initiatives produce and illustrate the
promising possibilities that lie ahead for
development work.

CIDA’s agenda is currently focusing
on health, nutrition and basic education
programs in developing countries. It is
based on the notion that if children are
healthy and provided with education,
they will be able to make decisions
unavailable to them before due to a lack
of knowledge and education. Child
protection is another area of focus,
along with working with children who
are landmine victims and victims of
conflict.

CIDA has announced a millennium
project, which is focused on people
helping people. This program will
initiate involvement at the local level.

“Whether development in the
international arena is a path of choice
or not, there are many opportunities for
students to contribute locally to their
own community development,” Laura
says. “By making small contributions
in one’s local community, these
positive actions may fuel the initiative
for a lifelong commitment to helping
others.”

Further information on CIDA and its
mission and programs can be found at
www.acdi-cida.gc.ca/index.htm.

Submitted by Laura Pashkewych, a
first year associate in the APMCP

@ e= Capilano
@€ex College

Vol. XX1I No. 2
February 18/00