Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Dear members of the committee, I'm honoured to appear before you today on behalf of the Fondation Paul Gérin‑Lajoie to discuss Canada's approach to Africa. I welcome the committee's initiative to study this theme, particularly in the current context of a growing number of crises.

For 47 years, the Fondation Paul Gérin‑Lajoie has been promoting access to quality equitable education throughout life, guaranteeing every person the means to shape their future and that of our societies, particularly in francophone Africa. Through La Dictée PGL, which has engaged 15 million students and their parents for over 30 years, we are also helping to raise public awareness of Canada's international assistance efforts.

The messages we want you to take away today are as follows.

Education is the most powerful lever for development and stability through its transformative power over individuals and societies; Canada should invest 0.7% of its gross national income in official development assistance, including at least 10% in education; and Canada's strategy in Africa should place education at the forefront, particularly given the socio‑demographic composition of its population.

First, we believe that education is the most powerful tool for maximizing the impact of Canada's investments on the African continent. We believe that education has the power to drive change and to lead to more resilient, fair, peaceful and prosperous societies.

Let me give you a concrete example.

Following the Charlevoix declaration on quality education for girls, adolescent girls and women in developing countries, at the 2018 G7, the Fondation Paul Gérin‑Lajoie, in consortium with the Centre d'étude de coopération internationale, or CECI, and in partnership with local organizations, has implemented an education and vocational training project in the Great Lakes region. Thanks to funding from Global Affairs Canada, thousands of out‑of‑school girls and adolescent girls, including refugees, have entered the school system and the labour market. Through the project, they are studying in schools that are better adapted and safer, where education is of better quality and is delivered in a gender‑sensitive and conflict‑sensitive way. We're seeing an improvement in the social climate in communities where refugee and host populations live together more harmoniously, and where private businesses are being created collectively by both communities.

Second, historically, Canada's commitments, including through its feminist international assistance policy, have positioned Canada as a respected leader in women's rights around the world. However, we recognize that Canada's presence in Africa is still insufficient. With an average of about 0.23% in recent years, Canada's official development assistance remains well below the United Nations target of 0.7% of gross national income, or GNI. As my colleague Denis Côté also mentioned earlier, other countries are meeting their official development assistance targets.

In addition, for several years now, the Canadian government has been investing about 10% of its official development assistance in education, which, in our opinion, must absolutely be maintained and, ideally, increased for such a crucial sector. Achieving these goals is crucial to repositioning Canada as a leader in international solidarity and education. It's also strategically important for Canadian economic, security, and humanitarian interests.

Third, sub‑Saharan Africa has the youngest workforce in the world, and it will be the largest in 2050. Yet the region also has the highest rates of exclusion from education. According to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, or UNESCO, 60% of young people between the ages of 15 and 17 are not in school. This serious lack of access to education hampers the economic development potential of the African continent and makes it even more vulnerable to conflict, political instability and the consequences of climate change.

The people of Africa will shape the future, and the continent's influence will be increasingly important in various global issues. Canada, with its internationally recognized and valued educational models, has historically played a leading role in education in Africa. In this context of demographic explosion, it is crucial that Canada reclaim this role by renewing and increasing its funding for education in African countries.

In conclusion, prioritizing education ensures better use of resources and maximizes the benefits of Canadian investments, public or private, in Africa.

We reaffirm the need to invest more in official development assistance, while maintaining or increasing the education portion. Indeed, Canada must strengthen its support for the African continent, particularly in the area of education, in order to ensure its development and stability.

Thank you for your attention.