Canadian Council on Africa

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Canadian Council on Africa
Type	Non-governmental organization
Founded	Montreal, Quebec (May 27, 2002)
Headquarters	Ottawa, Canada
No. of locations	5 offices across Canada
Area served	Canada and the African continent
Key people	Lucien Bradet, Nola Kianza, Nathalie Désourdy, Mary Ogilvie, Chris Roberts
Services	Business Development Service, African News Clipping Service, Monthly African Indicators, Publications, Networking, Advocacy, Facilitating Obtaining Business Visas, Information
Website	http://www.ccafrica.ca/

The Canadian Council on Africa (CCAfrica) was created on May 27, 2002 in Montreal, Quebec with the goal of becoming Canada's leading organization committed to the economic development of a modern competitive Africa. CCAfrica was founded as a result of the Kananaskis G8 Summit, where the agenda included the development of a self-help plan for Africa^[1]. Formed a year after The New Partnership for African Development (NEPAD), CCAfrica shares NEPAD’s goal of African renewal^[2].

CCAfrica believes that creating a framework for business to flourish is a critical aspect of Africa’s development challenge. As such, business can produce social good while creating financial returns that reward the risk and commitment of shareholders and stakeholders. CCAfrica strives for the creation of social value, transparency at home and abroad, the upholding of human rights, environmental stewardship, the health and safety of partners and communities, and the support of employees and stakeholder communities where HIV/AIDS is prevalent^[3].

Contents 1 Mission 2 Goals 3 Membership and Member Services 4 Activities and Events 5 Board of Directors 6 Canadian Offices 7 References 8 External links

[edit] Mission

To facilitate and promote sustainable increased trade and investment between Canadian and African private and public sectors, according to appropriate corporate social responsibility (CSR) guidelines, for the mutual benefit of all.

[edit] Goals

All of the goals of CCAfrica are in the aim of upholding and attaining the mission statement. Thus, the following specific goals can be derived:

1. Encourage dialogue and discussion on questions of the economy and commerce relating to Canada and the African countries, in a way that encourages an increase and a diversification of investment, as well as economic and commercial exchange between Canada and the African countries.
2. Contribute to the comprehension and evolution of economic and commercial relations between Canada and the African countries, as well as promoting investment and commerce between Canada and the African countries, specifically in the following ways:
   1. Acting as a think-tank for the promotion and development of economic and commercial politics between Canada and the African countries, as well as giving council to the government of Canada, its agencies, the provincial governments, and the governments of African countries.
   2. In collaboration with the government of Canada and the provincial governments, develop and maintain close relations with diverse national and regional groups dedicated to the realization of economic and commercial development projects between Canada and the African countries.
   3. Do, or have done, analysis, studies, research, or literature reviews necessary to the realization of CCAfrica’s mission and the reaching of its strategic goals.
   4. Acting, in accordance with means and opportunities, as the promoter in the organization of events such as symposiums, conferences, seminars, briefings, and missions.^[4]

[edit] Membership and Member Services

CCAfrica is a member driven non-profit organization dedicated to Africa’s economic development. The organization has over 150 members working in every sector of the economy: education, engineering, infrastructure, natural resources, energy, finance, legal, consulting, communications, information technology, manufacture, agri-food, environment, sustainable development, and health. In addition to active members, CCAfrica has associate members, such as the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), and affiliated African members, such as Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) and the Tanzania Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture (TCCIA).^[5]

Many services are provided for members of CCAfrica. A notable service is the Business Development Service (BDS), a weekly publication sent out to members with relevant African business opportunities in their sector. A great number of publications are also available to members, including newsletters, reports, briefing notes, the Africa News Clipping Service, and the Monthly African Indicators. In addition, members become part of a network of organizations that are players in the economic development of Africa, can be assisted in obtaining business visas, and are kept informed of various updates that can affect their business dealings in Africa^[6].

[edit] Activities and Events

CCAfrica holds conferences, seminars, and briefings throughout Canada. The themes of these events range from natural resources and the economy to education and the Francophonie. All of these events seek to provide information to both members and non-members about business and development in Africa.

In addition to conferences and seminars, CCAfrica also hosts political and business delegations from African countries. Furthermore, CCAfrica coordinates Canadian delegations to African countries. These help to promote business relations between Canadian businesses and institutions and their African counterparts.^[7]

[edit] Board of Directors

Executive Committee

• Peter Kieran, CPCS Transcom
• Lucien Bradet, CCAfrica
• Michel Côté, CRC Sogema
• Gerry Podersky-Cannon, CanAfra Financial Corp.
• Paul Brennan, Association of Canadian Community Colleges
• Isa Odidi, IntelliPharmaCeutics

Members

• Ken Keirstead, The Lyceum Group
• Benoît Bourque, Moncton University
• Réjean Bélanger, Canac Inc.
• Jacques Bouchard, Heenan Blaikie LLP
• Piers Cumberlege, Cordiant / CIFA
• Yvon Bernier, Développement International Desjardins
• André Brais, SNC-Lavalin
• Amina Gerba, Afrique Expansion Mag
• Hamidou Mamadou Abdou, CIMA International Inc.
• Patrick Tobin, Alcan
• Karl Miville-de Chêne, Consultation Contacts Monde Inc.
• Marc Parent, Tecsult International Ltd.
• Stephen Dopp, Canadian Bank Note
• Walid Madhoun, Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada
• Jean-Michel Laurin, Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters
• Peter Sinclair, Barrick
• Right Honourable Joe Clark, Clark Sustainable Resources Ltd.
• Denis Painchaud, Nexen Inc.
• Dale Botting, Saskachewan Trade and Export Partnership (STEP)
• Tony Reinsch, Artumas Group
• Brent Thompson, Wardrop

Advisors

• Rizwan Haider, Export Development Canada
• Marthe Lemay, Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
• Paul Hitschfeld, Canadian International Development Agency
• Shane Jaffer, Alberta International, Intergovernmental and Aboriginal Relations
• Rowena Dias, Ontario Ministry of Economic Development and Trade (MEDT)
• Gérard Villeneuve, Ministry of Economic Development, Innovation and Exportation Québec^[8]

[edit] Canadian Offices

There are five CCAfrica offices across Canada: the President's Office, located in Ottawa, the Ontario office in Concord, the Quebec office, the Atlantic Canada office in Fredericton, New Brunswick, and the Western Canada office in Calgary, Alberta.

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• http://www.ccafrica.ca