Thanks, Chair.
Thank you to our guests for their presentations.
I understand the difference and I don't think it's semantics. I think it's fairly clear that when one disburses and one commits, they're different. I also am quite aware that when we look at outcomes, particularly on gender for girls, one of the variables that has been tracked for decades in terms of success in outcomes for girls is the fact that education is probably the most important variable to invest in.
I say that because when we look at the global picture in education and we look at the issue of maternal health, as you've quite rightly linked them, I don't think there's any argument at all, and I don't think we'd get an argument from my friends across the way. If you really want to have an impact on positive outcomes for girls and women, you need to invest in education at the beginning. However, what we're seeing--and I think you're bang on in showing the success in Bangladesh and other places--is that there has been some slippage in that commitment. I'm not just talking about Canada; I think this is a global picture we're painting.
We're talking about Canada's role here. I think your point is that if we're going to actually take this on seriously, we have a time to do that, and that's coming up with the G8 and G20. Is it your belief that you're seeing the will--because I think we have the way here--from other G8 partners and, if you have enough information, G20 partners? Is it your belief that they (a) understand that linkage between education, commitment...? I'm focusing on gender. I'm not ignoring guys, but that's a clear focus for a positive outcome for men as well. And (b), if they do understand, do they see the importance of actually putting down markers on that right now because we're in the last five years of our millennium goals trajectory?
Do you see that with other G8 countries because you have that position? Do you think they get it? Do you think there's a willingness to push that, particularly at the G8?