Engaging Canadian Civil Society - in the Implementation of Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy

Given the rise of the Indo-Pacific region, and the profound impacts of the region on the lives of all Canadians, the Government of Canada recognized the need for a comprehensive, whole-of-so- ciety strategy to guide Canada’s actions in this important region. [...] The opening address by Kate Higgins, CEO of Cooperation Canada, and the keynote remarks by Christopher MacLennan, Deputy Minister of International Development at Global Affairs Canada, drew attention to the ambition and scope of the Strategy and the importance of partnerships in realizing the ambition of the strategy. [...] The panel discussion that followed emphasized the critical importance of the Indo-Pacific region for Canada and the role that Canadian actors can play in the region, acknowledging the height- ened complexity of the geopolitical environment. [...] The collaboration between GAC and Cooperation Canada on the IPS rests on the double prem- ise that effective civil society engagement is key to the success of the IPS, and that international assistance is a critical component of the strategy. [...] Conclusion 3.1 Recommendations The event participants had a lot to say about the articulations of the Strategy and ways to foster the meaningful implementation of the third IPS strategic objective, Investing in and connecting people, maintaining the linkages with the other four IPS strategic objectives related to peace and security, trade and investment, sustainability, and partnerships.