Canada's Humanitarian Roles

The United Nations

• The United Nations was formed in 1945
• The charter states that the role of the organization is to "save succeeding generations from the scourge of war"
• Through involvement in the United Nations ( and agencies related to the UN such as UNICEF, WHO, and FAO) since 1945 Canada has demonstrated its belief that the best way to achieve world peace is through the elimination of social and economic problems.
• For more information:  Canada and the UN

CIDA - The Canadian International Development Agency

• Formed in 1968 as a department in the federal government of Canada
• Primary purpose was to co-ordinate governmental and non-governmental assistance to developing countries.
• Canada has offered developmental assistance to over a 120 nations in the last 35 years.
• Click the following link for more information on : CIDA

Peacekeeping

• Since 1947 Canada has committed over 100 000 military personnel to peacekeeping operations around the world.
• Canada has been involved in over 45 peacekeeping operations.
• Many Canadians view the role of peacekeeping as an important way of contributing to international stability.
• The Suez Crisis of 1956 was one of the first operations that Canadians were involved in.
• Canada's External Affairs Minister Lester B. Pearson was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1957 for this initiative.