CANADIAN AID POLICY (DEN HEYER)

Flashcards about Canadian Aid Policy

Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA)

CIDA was the Canadian agency responsible for implementing foreign aid policies. It faced criticism for lacking a clear policy framework, leading to questions about its effectiveness and alignment with Canada's international development objectives.

Expanding Policy Analysis

Expanding policy analysis involves a deeper examination of Canadian aid policy. This goes beyond describing official documents to understand how policy functions on the ground, including its impacts and the factors shaping its trajectory.

Discourse

In policy analysis, discourse refers to how language frames discussions and defines problems. It involves analyzing narratives and rhetoric used by policymakers to understand their impact on policy outcomes and public perception.

Roles of Policy

Policies provide organizational direction and coordinate activities within an organization. They also create consensus among stakeholders, motivate action, and legitimize practices by providing a rationale for their continuation.

Micro-Policy Negotiations

Informal, small-scale decisions and practices by field staff that effectively shape and implement policy in the absence of clear or coherent official policy documents.

Aid Ecosystem

A complex web of international organizations, Canadian government departments, NGOs, and field actors interacting to shape Canadian aid policy and practice.

Policy Influence

Policy influence involves establishing standards, asserting authority, and imitating superiors, legitimizing specific policy norms. This process shapes the acceptance and adoption of policies by actors, impacting the implementation and outcomes of policy initiatives.

International Development Community

The International Development Community comprises experts and practitioners focused on the technical aspects of development and aid modalities. It encompasses knowledge, skills, and practical approaches used to implement development projects effectively.

Canadian Government's Role in Aid

The Canadian government's role in aid concerns decisions about its involvement in international development assistance. These decisions reflect strategic priorities, humanitarian concerns, and diplomatic considerations in shaping Canada's international engagement.

Federal Accountability Act (2006)

The Federal Accountability Act (2006) at increasing transparency, oversight, and financial accountability in federal institutions. It introduced stricter rules for procurement, lobbying, and public service conduct, and emphasized measurable outputs and financial scrutiny.

What is the main thesis of Molly den Heyer's chapter on Canadian aid policy?

Canadian aid policy is fragmented, lacks a coherent framework, and is shaped more by internal bureaucratic pressures and external influences than by a unified strategy, weakening the effectiveness of aid delivery, especially in field operations like those in Tanzania.

Whole-of-Government Approach

A policy initiative aiming for coherence across Canadian government departments in foreign aid, which diluted CIDA’s authority and clarity in aid programming.

What does the author recommend for improving Canadian aid policy?

A robust policy renewal involving clear, overarching frameworks; streamlined priorities and procedures; and greater balance between central policy and field-level flexibility.

What are the external influences on CIDA's aid policies?

International institutions (e.g., OECD/DAC, UN), peer donors, policy norms, and global aid effectiveness trends, particularly the Paris Declaration.

Policy fragmentation

A condition where overlapping, outdated, or contradictory policies hinder coherent strategy formation and implementation within aid agencies like CIDA.

Why was CIDA considered “policy-less” despite having policy documents?

Its policy framework was overloaded with often contradictory or outdated documents, lacking overarching coherence and frequently overridden by political or bureaucratic changes.

How did the Federal Accountability Act affect CIDA’s operations?

It intensified CIDA’s bureaucratic risk-aversion by prioritizing procedural compliance and quantitative accountability over flexible, context-sensitive development practices. This led to delays, micro-management, and a reduced capacity to engage effectively with partner countries and other donors.

What were the unintended consequences of the Federal Accountability Act on Canadian foreign aid delivery?

It undermined nuanced understandings of accountability, complicated field-level discretion, caused administrative bottlenecks, and discouraged innovation, ultimately impairing CIDA’s ability to disburse aid efficiently and adapt to local needs.