Canadian Council on Africa

Infobox Company
name = Canadian Council on Africa

type = Non-profit organization
foundation = Montreal, Quebec (May 27, 2002)
location_city = Ottawa
location_country = Canada
locations = 4 offices across Canada
area_served = Canada and the African continent
key_people = Lucien Bradet, Nathalie Désourdy, Chris Roberts, Nola Kianza
members = over 150 from various sectors
services = Business Development Service, African News Clipping Service, Monthly African Indicators, Publications, Networking, Advocacy, Facilitating Obtaining Business Visas, Information
homepage = http://www.ccafrica.ca/

The Canadian Council on Africa (CCAfrica) was created on May 27, 2002 and is currently located in Ottawa, Ontario, 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 [http://www.g8.gc.ca/sumdocs2002-en.asp Kananaskis G8 Summit] , where the agenda included the development of a self-help plan for Africa [ [http://www.g8.gc.ca/sumdocs2002-en.asp 2002 Kananaskis Summit ] ] . Formed a year after The New Partnership for African Development ( [http://www.nepad.org/2005/files/home.php NEPAD] ), CCAfrica shares NEPAD’s goal of African renewal [ [http://www.nepad.org/2005/files/home.php NEPAD < Welcome > ] ] .

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 [Canadian Council on Africa Code of Conduct] .

Mission

To facilitate and promote sustainable increased trade and investment between Canadian and African private and public sectors, according to appropriate corporate social responsibility ( [http://www.ic.gc.ca/epic/site/csr-rse.nsf/en/Home CSR] ) guidelines, for the mutual benefit of all.

Vision

To become Canada’s leading organization committed to the economic development of a modern competitive Africa.

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:

#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.
#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:
##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.
##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.
##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.
##Acting, in accordance with means and opportunities, as the promoter in the organization of events such as symposiums, conferences, seminars, briefings, and missions. [Canadian Council on Africa Patent Documents]

Membership and Member Services

CCAfrica is a non-profit organization dedicated to Africa’s economic development. The organization has over 150 members representing 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 ( [http://www.acdi-cida.gc.ca/cidaweb/acdicida.nsf/En/Home CIDA] ), and affiliated African members, such as Nigerian Economic Summit Group ( [http://www.nesgroup.org/ NESG] ) and the Tanzania Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture ( [http://www.tccia.com/tccia/new/ TCCIA] ). [Canadian Council on Africa Newsletter Vol. 12, No. 2 / Fall 2007]

Many services are provided for members of CCAfrica. A notable service is the Business Development Service ( [http://ccafrica.ca/bus_opp/index_e.htm BDS] ), a weekly publication sent out to members with relevant African business opportunities in their sector. CCAfrica also lobbies on behalf of and represents their members in dealings with the government. A great number of [http://ccafrica.ca/publications/index_e.htm 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 [Canadian Council on Africa "About CCAfrica"] .

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 leads Canadian business delegations to African countries. These help to promote business relations between Canadian businesses and institutions and their African counterparts. [Canadian Council on Africa "About CCAfrica]

Board of Directors

Members

*Hamidou Mamadou Abdou, CIMA International Inc.
*David Baron, Cowater
*Yvon Bernier, Développement International Desjardins
*Robert Blackburn, SNC-Lavalin
*Benoît Bourque, Moncton University
*Lucien Bradet, CCAfrica
*Paul Brennan, Association of Canadian Community Colleges
*Michel Côté, CRC Sogema
*Piers Cumberlege, Cordiant
*Stephen Dopp, Canadian Bank Note
*Jean Pierre Dubé, Tecsult AECOM
*Wayne Dunn, CSR Resources
*Matt Fisher, Anyway Solid Environmental Solutions
*Amina Gerba, Afrique Expansion Mag
*Peter Kieran, CPCS Transcom
*Jean-Michel Laurin, Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters
*Walid Madhoun, Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada
*Shauna Mason, Artumas Group
*Karl Miville-de Chêne, Consultation Contacts Monde Inc.
*Isa Odidi, IntelliPharmaCeutics
*Denis Painchaud, Nexen Inc.
*Gerry Podersky-Cannon, CanAfra Financial Corp.
*Mark Sitter, Sherritt International
*Brent Thompson, Wardrop
*Patrick Tobin, Rio Tinto Alcan
*Peter Sinclair, Barrick

Advisors

*Rowena Dias, Ontario Ministry of Economic Development and Trade (MEDT)
*Rizwan Haider, Export Development Canada
*Langis Lagacé, Canadian International Development Agency
*Marthe Lemay, Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
*Shane Jaffer, Alberta International, Intergovernmental and Aboriginal Relations
*Gérard Villeneuve, Ministry of Economic Development, Innovation and Exportation Québec [CCAfrica Board of Directors: http://ccafrica.ca/home/CCAfrica_Board_of_Directors.pdf]

Canadian Offices

There are four CCAfrica offices across Canada: the President's Office, located in Ottawa (Ontario), with regional offices located in Toronto (Ontario), Montreal (Quebec) and Calgary (Alberta).

References

External links

*http://www.ccafrica.ca