News

On November 30, KAIROS: Canadian Ecumenical Justice Initiatives received notice from the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) that their project proposal for 2009-2013 had been declined. KAIROS was not given an explanation for this decision, other than that their program did not fit CIDA priorities.

MCC Canada has been a member of KAIROS since its inception, along with the Anglican Church of Canada, Christian Reformed Church in North America, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada, Presbyterian Church in Canada, United Church of Canada, Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace, Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, Canadian Religious Conference, and the Primate's World Relief and Development Fund.

The 2009-2013 proposal was developed within two priority sectors of CIDA: promoting good governance (human rights) and advancing ecological sustainability (reducing the impact of climate change and addressing land degradation). It was approved at every level of CIDA before being declined on November 30.

This decision terminates a 35-year history of cooperation between CIDA and KAIROS and its predecessor organizations, and compromises the work of human rights and ecological integrity in the developing world. This decision also negatively affects the ability of Canadians to develop skills and knowledge in the exercise of their global citizenship.

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Click here for MCC's media release.