Restoring Framework Funding from Canada to IUCN
by Rick Bates, IUCN Regional Councillor for North America and the Caribbean
IUCN Director General Inger Anderson met with several government officials in Ottawa September 25-27, 2017 as part of her work to restore framework funding from Canada to the IUCN.
Inger, along with IUCN Regional Director Rick Bates, Director of the U.S. IUCN office Frank Hawkins, and IUCN Director of Strategic Partnerships Lucy Deram-Rollason met with, and listened to, several federal government department staff. The primary topic was how to best align interests of IUCN and Canada for a potential future proposal to Global Affairs for Canadian financial support for IUCN. Inger also described IUCN’s role in international development and its current and future priorities. The group also worked to strengthen relations with a number of government agencies and non-governmental organizations.
There was good progress in improving understanding of ICUN’s priorities, in exploring areas of alignment, and strengthening relations with departments. However, Global Affairs has yet to be convinced that IUCN fits into the appropriate administrative category to be considered for framework funding. Follow-up work on this file will continue over time.
Inger met with Minister of Environment and Climate Change Catherine McKenna, as well as staff from:
- Environment and Climate Change Canada
- Parks Canada, Canada’s state agency for IUCN,
- the Prime Minister’s Office;
- Global Affairs,
- Fisheries and Oceans Canada, and
- Natural Resources Canada.
A separate meeting was held with the CC-IUCN Board of Directors, as well as some new and prospective IUCN members.
Canada last provided framework funding to IUCN in 2008.
Canadian Committee for IUCN 