Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  I can say from the Pearson Peacekeeping Centre perspective that one of the difficulties is in taking a long-term approach with short-term funding from one to three years. This is the same issue that a lot of international NGOs, or governments implementing programs, deal with. One of the things that definitely came out of our research in the DRC is the need to work with the actors who are on the ground, whether it is the UN mission or the government, as slow as it can be.

Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  As you may know, the Pearson Peacekeeping Centre has been receiving core funding from the Government of Canada since its inception in 1994. That core funding will cease in 2012. However, in terms of the national action plan, I think there are a lot of actions, especially referring both to training of Canadian personnel and to ensuring that peacekeepers are adequately trained and equipped when they deploy.

Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  We noted one thing, particularly in the Congo, and that's that there were a lot of uncoordinated activities. There is the UN mission, which works together with the government. National strategies are in place, including a strategy to combat sexual violence. However, we note that many organizations are working along parallel lines.

Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  No.

Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  Thank you. I will begin and Joanne will add her comments. Joanne and I, as a member of the Pearson Peacekeeping Centre, were both part of the drafting and the consultative process that occurred over the summer months. I'd have to say that to date, 22 countries have a national action plan.

Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  Thank you, Chair. Members of Parliament, good afternoon. I am pleased to testify before you today to discuss the issue of sexual violence against women and children in fragile states and in conflict situations. l would like to share with you several observations made during a recent visit to the Democratic Republic of the Congo.