Thank you for your question.
Mr. Chair, the department's openness to the views of others is important. I'm thinking of the consultation processes.
A few years ago, the Department of Foreign Affairs devoted three days annually, in January or February, to receiving representatives from NGOs, universities, as well as experts on subjects related to the department. These people were invited to visit Ottawa and take part in discussions with senior departmental officials, to exchange views on the major projects and challenges facing Canada as a country. This is just one example of a possible approach.
There is another potential approach. The department, for a period of two or three years, could appoint consultants, so that they could pass on their expertise and give their point of view.
The aim of all this is to increase the sources of information available to the department so that we can gain a broader perspective on the complex world.
As you mentioned, madam, you've been involved in several NGOs with international accountability relationships. So you have valuable experience and perspectives to share.
My point was simply that remaining open to different points of view is healthy for the department and better for Canadian foreign policy.