The 24th of October, 2020 will mark the 75th anniversary of the United Nations. This constitutes an opportunity – a chance for civil society to push for improved world governance. Beyond the anniversary itself, 2020 will be a juncture of several multi-year reviews of treaties and “plus-five” conferences on topics as varied as the Women, […]
Prior to the 2015 federal election, 72 MPs and Senators supported the international appeal calling for establishment of a Parliamentary Assembly at the United Nations. WFMC has initiated a campaign to increase Canadian parliamentary support for establishing a parliamentary assembly at the UN. A UNPA is considered a practical step toward the democratization of global governance […]
WFM-Canada has initiated a campaign to increase Canadian parliamentary support for establishing a parliamentary assembly at the UN. A UNPA is considered a practical step toward the democratization of global governance and would be a catalyst for further UN reforms. The latest update on the international campaign is available in the latest issue of Mondial. Prior […]
Negotiations last December in New York at the meeting of the International Criminal Court’s Assembly of States Parties led to a historic, consensus decision to “activate” the ICC’s jurisdiction over the crime of aggression. Canada should now ratify the “Kampala amendments” in order to come within the ICC’s jurisdiction over the crime of aggression. Background […]
As 2017 comes to a close, we want to thank you for all the ways that you support WFMC and invite you to consider some different ways you can participate in the World Federalist Movement. Learn. Learn about Canada’s role in UN Peacekeeping by registering today for our upcoming webinar on January 17th, 2018 (noon […]
The Rohingya are an ethnic group that is largely Muslim and live in the state of Rakhine in Myanmar. They are not considered to be an ‘official’ ethnic group and, as a result, do not have citizenship and are restricted to Rakhine,living in conditions of poverty and lack of basic services. Persecution of the Rohingya has a long history, but […]
This month’s Take Action alert provides a way for you to support: Canada and UN peace operations: Unmet promises, delayed commitments … and a possible diplomatic train wreck! What you can do Write to Prime Minister Trudeau, Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland, and Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan and ask them: • Why is it taking so […]
The Rome Statute, the founding document of the International Criminal Court, was adopted on July 17, 1998 and International Justice Day (IJD) marks this day and acts as a reminder of the importance of the ongoing fight against impunity and the urgent need to bring justice to victims of war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide. “The strengthening of international criminal justice […]
On Tuesday June 6, Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland delivered an address in Parliament on Canada’s foreign policy priorities. And the following day, National Defence Minister Harjit Sajjin released the results of the long-awaited Canada’s Defence Policy Review. As we have previously noted, following the 2015 election there were reasonable expectations that Canada would return […]
Later this month, on May 29, the international community will celebrate the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers. Each year at this time the world recognizes the commitment of those current and former members of UN operations, as well as those who have died in the line of duty, helping the UN restore peace to […]
When the United States launched cruise missiles to bomb a Syrian airport, there were legitimate questions raised whether the action was in conformity with international law. According to the United Nations Charter, the use of armed force is permitted only in self defense (which has been interpreted to also include defense of an ally), or […]
Canada has been a longtime supporter for the International Criminal Court, and for the broader international justice agenda – bringing individuals, including military and political leaders, to account for atrocity crimes. So it was little surprise that news reports earlier this month carried stories of Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould indicating that Canada would engage with […]
For over two decades, Canada and Canadians have played leading roles in the establishment and operations of the International Criminal Court. During the treaty negotiations the government of Canada chaired a “like-minded” group of states. Like-minded governments and civil society networks successfully campaigned for an independent and effective Court, able to prosecute military and government […]
In an article in the December 2016 edition of Mondial, WFMC President Walter Dorn and Board member Sylvain Paquet discuss the delays that have plagued the government of Canada’s return to United Nations peacekeeping. “Where is Canada?” they ask. “It has not yet deployed new forces in UN-mandated peace operations … Even now, more than […]
As member states of the International Criminal Court prepare to gather later this month (Nov 16 – 24) in The Hague, the news that three among them — all from Africa — have declared their plans to leave the court will cast a long shadow over events. Following an earlier announcement that Burundi’s parliament had […]