Peru | Argentina | Brazil | Costa Rica

Heightened credibility for policy work

With Latin America playing an increasing role in Canadian foreign policy, the North-South Institute proposed to study the work of researchers from the region that could prove relevant to Canadian policy-makers. Twelve working papers were summarized in three shorter publications tailor-made for Canadian audiences. The papers focused on international trade and poverty, food security and global production chains and local social impacts.

Researchers shared their findings with various levels of Canadian government, including embassies and consulates, as well as with CIDA and DFAIT officials. The government has responded favourably to the advice and input, and policy-makers have followed up with LATN researchers. Moreover, Pablo Heidrich has been invited to take part in policy planning sessions with CIDA and DFAIT and to give testimony on Canadian policy toward Latin America to the Parliament of Canada.

Apart from its potential impact on Canadian policy, the project enabled partners to gain greater insight into each other’s work. Latin American researchers learned more about the Canadian policy process, making it easier to generate research that can influence policy and improve results in the region. By establishing contact with counterparts in Latin America and integrating their results into its own policy work, the North-South Institute heightened its credibility in the eyes of the Canadian government.