The Joint Chair in Women's Studies for Carleton University and the University of Ottawa (JCWS) and The Canadian Association for the Study of International Development (CASID) are organizing a one-day Symposium at Carleton University on December 5, 2006, on the topic of:
Whither GAD? Gender and Development in a New Age of International Security

The one-day symposium will explore the growing linkages between national security concerns and foreign aid spending, from the perspective of the impact on women in developing countries. As a result of changes in the funding priorities of many OECD countries, from poverty reduction and economically-based development, to an increased emphasis on national security, many major bilateral donors are shifting large amounts of money into countries that are considered to be important players in international security.

For example, before 2001, Canada's assistance to Afghanistan was typically $10 million dollars per year, for humanitarian assistance and basic human needs. CIDA now spends about $100 million per year in Afghanistan and expects to spend $1 billion between 2001 and 2011. Almost 25 percent of Canadian aid increases in 2001-03 was spent on Iraq and Afghanistan. Canada has also joined some other donors in the OECD that are calling for the expansion of what is considered official development assistance to include military and security aspects of peace operations. Therefore, Canadian aid is moving away from a focus on poverty reduction and in this context, women' s concerns and rights are often being sidelined.

The new national security approaches prioritize substantial support to army and police forces. Increased militarization and violent conflicts have had negative effects on women worldwide. The concerns of civil society, including education, health, micro-enterprises, etc., are receiving less attention.

Participants in this symposium will examine these changes from a gender perspective and ask some of the following questions:

- What is the impact of these changes on women?
- To what extent is the "protection" of women being used to justify military interventions?
- To what extent are human rights considerations being put aside in the interest of "national security?" - How would a feminist perspective change current national security approaches?

Abstracts of up to 200 words are invited from interested speakers. These should be sent to Hélène Boudreault, hboudre@uottawa.ca, by October 15, 2006. Abstracts longer than 200 words, or arriving after October 15, 2006 cannot be considered.

Everyone is welcome to attend.

Helene Boudreault, Administrator Joint Chair in Women's Studies University of Ottawa & Carleton University
Tel: 613-520-6644
Fax: 613-562-5994
Email: hboudre@uottawa.ca