TheCanadian International Development Agency (CIDA; inFrench:Agence canadienne de développement international;ACDI) was a federalCanadian organization that administered foreign aid programs in developing countries.[1] The agency was merged into theDepartment of Foreign Affairs in 2013 by the federal government under Prime MinisterStephen Harper.
CIDA funding was the subject of intense debate, and the Conservative government made major revisions to the funding process, including reductions to NGOs described as supporting "left-leaning causes", such as Montreal-basedAlternatives.[4]
In March 2013, the Conservative government announced that CIDA would be folded into theDepartment of Foreign Affairs, and the organizations renamed as the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development,[5] later renamed asGlobal Affairs Canada.[6] Critics said the merger would give insufficient attention to fighting poverty, but the Conservative government, and later the Liberal government that also kept CIDA programs under the same department, said the merger would lead to a more coherent international agenda.[7][8] An internal report by the agency said that it would take up to 10 years for ex-CIDA employees to get used to the merger.[7]
CIDA has supported programs relating directly to the treatment ofSTDs in developing countries. It also cites basiceducation and child protection as priorities in the social development of countries that it aids.
With a focus upon issues such as climate change,land degradation, and water supply, CIDA sought to help developing nations maintain healthy ecosystems.[9] CIDA was a partner in the Canada Iraq Marshlands Initiative.[10] For example, CIDA was a major donor to the InternationalLUBILOSA Programme: which developed abiological pesticide forlocust control, in support of small-holder farmers in theSahel.
Governance
CIDA strove for human rights, democracy, and good governance. The agency also supported gender equality.
