G7 2018: how Canada is preparing and what to expect from its presidency
Canada, which appears at the upcoming G7 as the healthiest country among the greats, is ready to host the international summit. The agenda of the summit aims at inclusive growth, gender equality and climate change.
After 8 years since the last edition of the G7 in Canada, held in Muskoka in Ontario in June 2010, the North American country returns to preside over the Summit in 2018. The 44th G7 summit will take place in La Malbaie in Québec on 8 and 9 June 2018. The meeting will be led by the Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Canada presents itself as the country that records the greatest economic growth among all member states: this is shown by the data on the main economic indicators reported by Consensus Economics and by the OECD, with a rate of + 1.9% from 2013 to 2016 and of + 2.5% in 2017 on real GDP, a low inflation rate stable at 1,4% (to 2016) and a growth perspective, estimated by the Legatum Institute, which sees it occupy the first place compared to the G7 and G20 countries.
For the 2018 edition, issues related to international trade, peace and security, the nuclear issue and sustainable development remain as sensitive as they were 8 years ago. Added to these are the topics in continuity with the Taormina 2017 meeting: the fight against climate change and the management of natural resources, the migration phenomenon and in particular thereduction of inequalities and the gender issue.
The G7 2018 will see in the role of “Sherpa” Mr. Peter M. Boehm, Deputy Minister for the G7 Summit and Personal Representative of the Prime Minister, facing the 7 most advanced economies in the world (Canada, United States, Great Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Japan) and European Union representatives.
The agenda is organized in ministerial meetings located in different cities and divided by topic, and the Presidents’ Summit (executive), scheduled for 8 and 9 June 2018 at La Malbaie, Charlevoix. On this occasion, the leaders of the member countries will meet for a comparison that allows to dictate the guidelines on international issues and which aims at further growth from the perspective of international cooperation.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DN_6tBKacoY&t=0s&list=PLI-XuG0q34g1gVhFC-QUBP2U-_nLWQqXX&index=1
On December 14th, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced what the “working together” will be at the center of ministerial meetings, which mostly reflect the interests pursued by Canadian policies in recent years:
● invest in the growth of the employment rate;
● to form a competent human capital in the work of today and tomorrow;
● implement intelligent gender policies aimed at achieving total equality and economic development;
● cooperate in the fight against climate change and the protection of water resources for clean energy;
● maintain international peace and security.
For the first time, the issues on the agenda will be dealt with the support of a cross-council, the Gender Equality Advisory Council, which will ensure constant protection of the principle of gender equality and women’s empowerment during all activities and the meeting that will be held between the leaders and the participating ministers.
The Council will have the task of recommending concrete actions that promote women’s empowerment and will make use of the membership of women who have always worked for equal civil, moral and professional rights. Italy will be represented by Emma Bonino, President of WE-Women Empower the World and of the European Council on Foreign Relations in Rome.
How Canada prepares for the G7
Waiting for the G7, Canada has provide a preparatory course and, in part, coaching for information and dissemination of the main issues, to establish a dialogue with the stakeholders and Canadian students who will collect the legacy of these policies and, not least, to involve public opinion on an event that will engage Canada throughout 2018.
In this regard, since last October, the federal government has organized meetings held by the sherpa, beginning with the “Simon Fraser” University in British Columbia, with a session that involved representatives of civil society, the local community, the business network, academics and students. In November, at the Advanced International Studies Center at the University of Laval, the G7 Canada’s priorities were publicly discussed through bilateral meetings with provincial representatives, student councils, local market leaders and residents. Finally, in December, the Sherpa met with delegations of university students and stakeholders at the University of Toronto, where he participated in a roundtable, organized in collaboration with the Canadian International Council (CIC) and the MunkSchool of Global Affairs, on the topic of international peace and security, as well as economic growth and employment issues.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=8&v=t5qXLXE2suc
The meetings for the Sherpa of the G7 Canada have intensified with the arrival of 2018 and in just 3 months has been able to deal with the counterparts of the member countries (in Waterloo and Victoria) and with the Canadian realities that play an important role in the society, among these the First Nations, local indigenous groups that today enjoy social respect and economic weight.