The terrorist attacks of September 11th shook much across Canada. We were witnesses to unparalled suffering, hatred, and destruction on a scale never before seen on North American soil. Parents, teachers, and others were left trying to explain to children what we ourselves could not understand.
The events served as a stark reminder that we live in a truly interdependent world. Canadians have peace within our borders — and our continent — and enjoy a prosperous, democratic society governed by the rule of law, inclusiveness, pluralism, and respect for human rights.
But as author Thomas Friedman reminds us, "If we've learned anything from September 11th, it's that if you don't visit a bad neighborhood, it will visit you."
Like it or not, our well-being is inherently linked to the well-being of all people. Our safety is directly related to the attitudes of individuals in other continents. Dr. Walter Lichem, a respected Austrian scholar and former ambassador to Canada explains, "Human dignity is not an affair of the state, but of the community of nations." We have an inextricable connection to the rest of the world and carry significant responsibilities that go with it.
Making the Link
The events of September 11th provide us with an opportunity to discuss with students our role as but one piece of a puzzle — one part of a bigger picture. We have a chance not only to focus on the horror caused by evil and ignorance, but also on the root causes of terrorism.
Slow economic growth, brutal conflict, the repression of human rights, the absence of the rule of law and freedom of speech, HIV/AIDS, and enormous disparities in wealth have fostered a deep mistrust and even hatred of the global system. Now, as we engage in an unconventional war, effective development assistance is a weapon as critical as bombs, ground troops, and economic policies. Marginalized individuals are more likely to receive education and proper health care and benefit in an environment of good governance and transparency.
Canadians have the option of fighting a defensive war against terrorism, or we can also pursue 'offensive measures' with equal vigor.
I was discouraged by a recent public opinion survey which suggested that many Canadians don't tie the effective delivery of foreign aid with improved national security. When asked, "If Canada has to spend large amounts of money to improve defence and security, where would you like to see that money come from?" The number one response — chosen by 38% of respondents — listed foreign aid as the best source. It was followed by government aid packages for industry (31%), increased taxes (19%) environmental protection (5%), education (2%), healthcare (2%). Only 4% were unsure.
Having seen firsthand many 'success stories' of aid delivery in Africa and the Americas, I would argue that it is one of the most effective tools Canadians have to ensure national security. In December 2001, I visited a project community-based school in a 'favela' — one of Brazil's toughest neighborhoods. It was established by residents who had beaten the odds and made it to university, then decided to return to their communities and assist young people to study for their university entrance exams. The Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) donated $35,000 Cdn to the project — enough to build classrooms. For a relatively small price, we helped dozens of young people to go to university and create opportunities for themselves, and turn away from crime and the drug trade that dominate their communities.
Shouldering Responsibility
Canadians have the option to be responsible anti-terrorists. In an article in the New York Times, Friedman argues eloquently:
|
"If we are going to be stomping around the world wiping out terrorist cells from Kabul to Manila, we'd better make sure that we are the best country, and the best global citizens, we can be. Otherwise, we are going to lose the rest of the world. That means not just putting a fist in the face of the world's bad guys, but also offering a hand up for the good guys. That means doubling our foreign aid, intensifying our democracy promotion programs, increasing our contributions to world development banks (which do microlending to poor women) and lowering our trade barriers for textile and farm imports from the poorest countries." |
Through our contributions of aid, peacekeeping, and other activities throughout the world, Canadians have worked at improving the world's humanitarian conditions, breaking cycles of conflict, and pursuing abroad what we do best at home: community and society building in a multicultural country.
There is always more to do. We can continue to try to resolve problems where refugees are created, or we can wait for more of the world's problems to come to Canada. The time for clearly focusing on these issues has never been riper.
Beyond Terrorism
It would be un-Canadian to let our desire to prevent terrorism from reaching our borders to be our sole motivator for further strengthening our international relationships. Feeling threatened has never been our only reason for action.
While formulating its approach to foreign relations, every country is faced with difficult questions:
Foreign policy is, of course, usually a combination of the two. Resources are always limited and public opinion often divided. Governments are concerned with fulfilling their responsibilities as members of the international community, but also with protecting the interests of their nationals. And, always, with being re-elected.
After tragic events like those that occurred last fall, it is a natural reflex for the balance to swing towards the protection of self-interest: to ensure the safety of our citizens, to normalize trade and re-establish commercial ties.
Many would argue, however, that 'values' deserve consistently greater prominence.
Responses to September 11th have left some Canadians wondering, "Is one human life worth more than another? When 800,000 people died in Rwanda probably too few people in the West cared. When 5000 people died on North American soil, the international community was immediately mobilized."
The focus of these arguments is not that the terrorist attacks in the United States deserve less attention, but that our Canadian conscience — media, politicians, teachers, families around the dinner table — should be as concerned about the death of an African child as we are about the death of a Canadian one.
The sooner students begin reflecting on the nature of governments' responses, the sooner they can develop their abilities to be articulate, responsible advocates.
Fighting back
Terrorism has always fed off its response. It is an attempt to provoke equally violent responses and divide communities. It succeeds when it results in individuals making categorizations based on race and/or religion, in the closing of minds — and borders — o refugees, and in the increase of extremism.
Instead of creating further division, we can — and in many cases already have — formulated our own responses to terrorism. We can take the time to teach and learn about other faiths and cultures, to move beyond mere tolerance and even the celebration of other cultures and individuals to the development of genuine understanding. We can question not only the way our governments interact with other countries, but also the way in which we reach out to our neighbors within Canada.
One of Canada's best gifts to the world is our unity in diversity based on the dignity of all citizens regardless of their origins, color, or religion. More than ever, it is time to share our experience with others in the rest of the world.