What it IDA? Why should Canada care?

I took action to support Canada's aims to alleviate poverty in the Global South for ONE. I am a Global Activist and risk my life to take a stand for what I believe in despite being unemployed in Toronto and highly educated, I do not just with others well with their endeavors I put my money and life where my mouth is and do not put words into others mouths. I do not have to help those I left behind. I am Canadian. I do it because I benefit and rise by lifting others. If there was nothing in it for me, I would not do it, but I have lived through it so I intend to leave my legacy defiant and in Canada's face because I am hurt and angry at what is allowed to happen to me and others. U2

Here is my letter:

Dear Minister Freeland,

The World Bank’s International Development Association’s (IDA) grants and low-interest loans help the world’s poorest countries invest in their futures, improve lives, and create safer, more prosperous communities around the world. As a result of IDA commitments, between 2012 and 2023, 1.18 billion people received health services, 117 million people gained access to improved water services, and 92 million people obtained new or improved electricity services. To put it simply, IDA is a lifeline for countries that don’t have access to other sources of finance. As a citizen of Canada I was not able to secure permanent employment between 2007 and 2018 or renew my mortgage due to ongoing contract work and discrimination. The challenges I face here are the same ones I faced growing up in Africa and that African communities face today in Zimbabwe lack of good policies and lack of access to loans. Access to loans for education to study are impossible to get, the cycle of poverty drives individuals and families into poverty and ruin as healthy lives only come from having homes, jobs and from there being able to help the community. At this time the Global South is also facing immense water shortages due to a historic droughts, which means just like when I was in Zimbabwe, before coming to Canada people have no water to live, no electricity to study by and as a result lives are being lost and children are using candles to study just like I did. In this day and age, why is this still happening? Canada needs to step up and acknowledge the role discrimination plays in predatory lending and on the world stage and how corruption in the West impacts supporting corruption in Africa. What starts at home gets exported to Africa as people look to us as First World countries to lead as partners to help. Just like in Canada, women and girls are affected the most when it comes to economic opportunity, freedom to make our own decisions and opportunities to earn well. Access to loans, building infrastructure and earn livelihoods can only be done when we are viewed as worthy of being listened to and supported in our goals. We are entrepreneurs, we are the first to go to university and work and study to graduate. We are the ones investing our time in helping others integrate in Canada as the African diaspora and we are demanding that you take responsibility to help stop corruption and end poverty which is sexist. Have you seen the videos on X of young men being shot in the foot in Mozambique, or the lack of water in Zimbabwe for basic needs? I do my part in Canada to educate myself, look for work and help others integrate with no support, or respect for my background and religion, I want to see better from you so that what I do can lead to growth for me in Canada, good paid jobs and respect as part of the African diaspora here, helping our communities at home through initiatives like this because the investment you make there, gives me respect, access and opportunities here as well.

IDA’s innovative financing model ensures that every $1 in donor contributions generates approximately $3.5 in financing for eligible countries. This model maximizes the impact of our contributions and reduces aid fragmentation, creating efficiencies that benefit all stakeholders.

As IDA heads into its next replenishment pledging session (IDA 21) the first week of December, it is imperative that Canada assert our historic leadership within the body. Money flowing out of developing countries, including to debt repayments, is fast outpacing aid and investments coming in. Without an IDA that can help countries turn this around, this is trending in the wrong direction.

I hope that you will commit to making a strong pledge to the IDA21 replenishment of at least $2B over the next 3 years as part of your enduring legacy of support for international development goals.

Sincerely,

Belinda Fernandez

[email protected]

Toronto, ON

https://act.one.org/letter/freeland-ida-pledge-can-2024