Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I thank all of the witnesses for being here.
Ms. Vandenberg, I greatly appreciated your Timbits-supported presentation that I was able to benefit from. Your demonstration clearly shows the kind of effort we all need to make and underscores the importance of investing, helping people throughout the world and contributing to international development. The objective of dedicating 0.7% of the GDP to overseas development assistance is one shared by many other countries, and is a goal of distinct altruism and solidarity.
Many people also say that this is a form of economic development. So long as there exist places that are extremely poor, there will be social and economic problems, and fewer markets to benefit our own economy.
Do you subscribe to the philosophy that overseas development assistance is not just an act of pure altruism, but is also a way of resolving conflicts in the world and developing our own economy?