This post will tie in some of my thoughts from different posts. These thoughts might have not be stated, but I was thinking about them while writing. I personally think that Canada, and western countries can do a whole lot more to change the world for the better. I feel that currently we are sitting on our hands to scared to make real change or put pressure on others to do so.
I was reading the Globe and Mail and found a very interesting article. It was about a poll about how Canadians view themselves in the world. I think we have a two rosy view about how we influence the world. Yes we are more positive that our southern neighbour but we are not the same as some European Nations. The poll also said that we think that we have grown stronger on the political stage in the last 20 years, something that I disagree with. But I do agree with the almost 90% that says we can do more to strengthen our position.
To say that we are a positive influence on the world would be correct but to say that we are the best people like this I would disagree. When was the last time that our forces went on UN peacekeeping missions. We gave up the easiest one in Cyprus being replaced by other nations, this has been stated by some as one of the safest peacekeeping jobs. Look at our stance at the recent climate change conference, not matter what side you are on the Canada stance did not help. The Canadian government did not try to make a final decision possible, was just on the side that we all have to agree. That is very helpful. The European Union will pass us as the most positive influence in the world, if they have not already. There are many nations in the EU which give more money as aid to developing countries that we do. Some have even met the .7% of GDP goal that the UN had put forward many years ago.
Over the last 20 years we have had some positive and negative actions accounted to our position in the world. The positives in our view out way the negatives which makes us feel great on the inside, when we should look closer at them.
One of the major positive things we do is Peacekeeping, it is also one of the negatives as well. Many people have heard of Rwanda where we had a few peacekeepers who would not leave during the civil war there. but when you look at the situation, why was there only a few people there? Why did we not as a country rise up and say that we are going to send more troops to protect the people, even replace the Belgian troops when the left. To be honest it was a few good Canadians, not us as a whole. There was also Bosnia where we were leading the UN peacekeepers, and did we try to protect the Bosnians, to a certain extent. The UN troops did not go out of their way to try to bring peace to the situation. Then their is Somalia where Canadian troops did inappropriate things, the peacekeeping mission did leave before the conflict was solved as well. Yes we have in the past put a lot of peacekeepers around the world, but we should not think that we are special because of that.
Another issue that I think has destroyed Canada's stance over the last 20 years is when the world gets together to talk what does Canada do. These talks include climate change, free trade, AIDS. Canada to my knowledge does not take a non western point of view at any of these conferences. We do not have the will to say well this is our point of view how about we try to find a broader common good. We look at just our own good a lot of the time. Have we forgiven the debt of any country recently, with out any strings attached? Have we sponsored any major vaccines with any of the major diseases? Have we stated that this is what we believe but lets negotiate to find a solution that we all can agree with.
This poll was done to get Canadians talking about our position in the world. 88% of the people polled believe that Canada can strengthen our influence around the world. I think we should get on that write away. We could do it through the political process, or giving with our own money. I ask myself these questions all the time. When was the last time that I have gave money to a charity?? How often do I look past each of those donation boxes at stores when I have spare change. Do I donate money because I can, or because I feel like I have to. My goal at the moment is to donate any of my spare change that is not a Loonie or a Quarter because I need those to do wash when ever I see one of those boxes.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080205.wworldpoll05/BNStory/National/home
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