The Walter and Duncan Gordon Foundation
Encyclopedia
The Walter and Duncan Foundation was founded in 1965 by Walter L. Gordon
, his wife, Elizabeth (née Counsell), and his brother, Duncan Gordon. It continues today as a private charitable foundation trying to improve public policy in Canada. Walter Gordon was a Canadian businessman and politician. Walter Gordon was the Minister of Finance
from 1963- 1965 and the president of the Privy Council 1967-1968. Later on in his life Walter Gordon was the Chancellor of York University
. Duncan Gordon was a chartered accountant at various Toronto firms.
The foundation continues to operate in Toronto
, Ontario
having two major areas of focus: the Arctic and Water Security.
(now the Canadian International Council
) were supported by the Foundation. In addition the Foundation endowed the Walter Gordon Forum on Public Policy in 1990, which continues as an annual event at Massey College
with the School of Public Policy and Global Governance
at the University of Toronto
.
The 1970s brought a refocus of funding towards peacekeeping as well as economic independence. Walter Gordon was cognizant of Canada’s increasing economic interdependence with the United States. With this in mind the Foundation helped create the Committee for an Independent Canada.
During the 1970s and 1980s the Foundation focused much of their attention on peacekeeping, peacemaking and nuclear disarmament. There were many recipients of grants from the Foundation. A few of those receiving grants were Science for Peace
, the Club of Rome
, Amnesty International
, Physicians for Social Responsibility
, United Nations Association of Canada, and the Canadian Institute of Strategic Studies. The Foundation was also a key contributor to fighting Acid Rain in 1981 that later inspired amendments to the U.S. Clean Air Act
of 1990.
After the death of Walter Gordon in 1987, Duncan Gordon asked Pierre Trudeau
’s former primary secretary and speechwriter Thomas Axworthy to help develop a focus for the foundation with regards to peace-building. After the death of Duncan Gordon later on that year, Walter Duncan’s children took over the foundation and headed the board of directors. They also expanded the Foundation from a family to a private foundation model. With the overhaul of the foundation the directors decided to refocus the Foundation’s mandate to concentrate on four areas of interest: secondary education; peace, security and conflict management; the environment and the Arctic.
the Foundation was interested in uphold its commitment to the environment. The Foundation started to focus on environmental policy and incorporating it into the federal government. The Foundation narrowed its environmental to focus air quality and water issues. In the 1990s’ the Foundation also was instrumental in creating the multi- million dollar initiatives: MiningWatch Canada, People for Education and the Manitoba School Improvement Program.
The other pillar of the Foundation was on peace, security and conflict management. Eventually this focus melded with their concentration on the Arctic. The Walter and Duncan Gordon Foundation along with Science for Peace
and Finnish researchers worked to initiate movements towards the creation of the Arctic Council
. With the help of prominent Arctic scholars such as: Franklyn Griffiths, John Lamb and Bill Fox, politicians such as: Tony Penikett
, and help from people from indigenous champions such as: Rosemarie Kuptana, Mary Simon
, the Inuit Circumpolar Conference
the Canadian government moved towards the creation of the Arctic Council
and the creation of the Canadian Ambassador for Circumpolar Affairs in 1994. The Foundation also supported Sheila Watt-Cloutier
during her leadership as the Chair of the Inuit Circumpolar Conference
.
The Walter and Duncan Gordon Foundation funded a legal analysis to allow First Nations to be eligible recipients of grants from foundations. Often, charities were unsure of whether or not they were legally allowed to make grants to First Nations and aboriginal organizations. The analysis supported by the Foundation led to a clarification of First Nations as legal donees under Canada Revenue Agency
’s Income Tax Act.
The Walter and Duncan Gordon Foundation helped create the IBA Community Toolkit which is a resource to First Nation, Inuit
and Métis
communities to educate them about the benefit agreements in their areas. Though based around the mining sector the Toolkit aims to act as a guideline for communities "negotiators, and consultants to achieve positive agreements for Aboriginal communities" within the natural resource industry.
The Union of BC Indian Chiefs, Ecotrust Canada and the Walter and Duncan Gordon Foundation came together to fund and publish Living Proof. This book is aimed to be “a how-to manual to help readers design and run the data-collection component of a successful map project” . “Living Proof” written by Terry N. Tobias is aimed to be a tool for indigenous use and occupancy map surveys.
In the 1990’s the Walter and Duncan Gordon Foundation established a long standing relationship with David Schindler
a limnologist at the University of Alberta
. Most recently, the Foundation along with Tides Canada helped fund a study which “counter[s] the reports by a joint industry-government panel that the pollutant levels are due to natural sources rather than human development” in the Alberta Oilsands.
The Circle on Philanthropy and Aboriginal Peoples is another collaboration that the Walter and Duncan Gordon Foundation has made a commitment to. The Circle on Philanthropy and Aboriginal Peoples is an “open network to promote giving, sharing, and social investing in Aboriginal communities across the country”
. The aim of the program was to examine Canada’s foreign aid architecture and to discuss Canada’s role in the world.
has a 4-year mandate and is projected to continue until June 2014.
In January 2011 the Walter and Duncan Gordon Foundation along with the Canada Centre for Global Security Studies at the Munk School of Global Affairs
released a public opinion poll focused on the global perceptions of Arctic Security called “Rethinking the Top of the World” The survey “included phone interviews with close to 2,800 Canadians, including 744 residents of the territories” along with residents of the seven other Arctic Council
states (Russia
, United States
, Sweden
, Norway
, Finland
, Iceland
and Greenland
/ Denmark
) totaling 9,000 people. The survey findings garnered substantial media attention globally.
The Arctic Program focuses on Nunavut
, Yukon
and the Northwest Territories
, as well as Northern Quebec (Nunavik
) and Northern Labrador (Nunatsiavut
). Other areas of focus for the Arctic Program are to encourage new leadership by a younger generation of Northern Canadians, greater equity in the North in terms of benefitting from natural resources, promoting the role of Northerners in all levels of government and lastly, “Supporting an agenda on Arctic Security that meets the needs of residents of the Arctic, and includes issues such as food security, search and rescue, and human and capital infrastructure”
held a conference discussing global water security. The conference was chaired by Jean Chrétien
the former Prime Minister of Canada
, Olusegun Obasanjo the former President of Nigeria
and former Chancellor of Austria
Franz Vranitzky
. Experts from all over the world were invited to discuss water security in the future and policy options. In May 2011, Tom Axworthy was appointed Secretary General of the InterAction Council further strengthening the ties between the Walter and Duncan Gordon Foundation and the InterAction Council.
The Fresh Water Program would like to influence a legal, regulatory and citizen action framework to protect Canada’s water resources. The Walter and Duncan Gordon Foundation support the implementation of a National Water Strategy to ensure access to drinking water to all Canadians. This includes the development and implementation of Regional Water Governance Frameworks. The Foundation would also like to strengthen “Canada’s role in advancing Global Water Security, including issues related to conflict, development and human rights”
The Walter and Duncan Gordon Foundation are active funders of the Forum for Leadership in Water (FLOW) and Tides Canada. Both Tides Canada and FLOW are committed to water security and education for Canadians.
and the Art Gallery of Ontario
. The goal of this Program is to help Ontario galleries expand their collections . The Elizabeth L. Gordon Art Program has been suspended for 2010 and 2011 but will be reintroduced in 2012.
Walter L. Gordon
Walter Lockhart Gordon, PC, CC, FCA was a Canadian accountant, businessman, politician, and writer.-Education:...
, his wife, Elizabeth (née Counsell), and his brother, Duncan Gordon. It continues today as a private charitable foundation trying to improve public policy in Canada. Walter Gordon was a Canadian businessman and politician. Walter Gordon was the Minister of Finance
Minister of Finance (Canada)
The Minister of Finance is the Minister of the Crown in the Canadian Cabinet who is responsible each year for presenting the federal government's budget...
from 1963- 1965 and the president of the Privy Council 1967-1968. Later on in his life Walter Gordon was the Chancellor of York University
York University
York University is a public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is Canada's third-largest university, Ontario's second-largest graduate school, and Canada's leading interdisciplinary university....
. Duncan Gordon was a chartered accountant at various Toronto firms.
The foundation continues to operate in Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
having two major areas of focus: the Arctic and Water Security.
The Early Years
Throughout the 1960s and 1970s Walter and Duncan Gordon were committed to healthcare, the arts and public policy. Many hospitals, hospices and art programs in and around the Toronto area benefitted from the Gordon’s commitment. Various Canadian think tanks such as the Canadian Institute of International AffairsCanadian institute of international affairs
The Canadian Institute of International Affairs was a Canadian, non-partisan, nationwide forum for the discussion and analysis of international affairs. The CIIA had 13 branches across Canada and a membership of 1,300. It hosted conferences, seminars and a speaker series...
(now the Canadian International Council
Canadian International Council
The Canadian International Council / Conseil International du Canada is a non-partisan, nationwide council established to strengthen Canada's role in international affairs...
) were supported by the Foundation. In addition the Foundation endowed the Walter Gordon Forum on Public Policy in 1990, which continues as an annual event at Massey College
Massey College
Massey College is a postgraduate residential college at the University of Toronto, established in 1963 with an endowment by the Massey Foundation. Similar to All Souls College, Oxford, members of Massey College are nominated from the university community, and are elected by and as fellows of the...
with the School of Public Policy and Global Governance
University of Toronto School of Public Policy and Governance
The University of Toronto School of Public Policy and Governance is a public policy and public administration school located in Toronto, Ontario. The SPPG is headquartered in the Canadiana Gallery at 14 Queen's Park Crescent West....
at the University of Toronto
University of Toronto
The University of Toronto is a public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, situated on the grounds that surround Queen's Park. It was founded by royal charter in 1827 as King's College, the first institution of higher learning in Upper Canada...
.
The 1970s brought a refocus of funding towards peacekeeping as well as economic independence. Walter Gordon was cognizant of Canada’s increasing economic interdependence with the United States. With this in mind the Foundation helped create the Committee for an Independent Canada.
During the 1970s and 1980s the Foundation focused much of their attention on peacekeeping, peacemaking and nuclear disarmament. There were many recipients of grants from the Foundation. A few of those receiving grants were Science for Peace
Science for Peace
Science for Peace is an organization of mainly Canadian scientists working together to promote peace worldwide. It was co-founded by mathematical psychologist Anatol Rapoport, and physicist Eric Fawcett, both former professors at the University of Toronto. It is based in Toronto, Ontario.-External...
, the Club of Rome
Club of Rome
The Club of Rome is a global think tank that deals with a variety of international political issues. Founded in 1968 at Accademia dei Lincei in Rome, Italy, the CoR describes itself as "a group of world citizens, sharing a common concern for the future of humanity." It consists of current and...
, Amnesty International
Amnesty International
Amnesty International is an international non-governmental organisation whose stated mission is "to conduct research and generate action to prevent and end grave abuses of human rights, and to demand justice for those whose rights have been violated."Following a publication of Peter Benenson's...
, Physicians for Social Responsibility
Physicians for Social Responsibility
Physicians for Social Responsibility is the largest physician-led organization in the USA working to protect the public from the what they consider threats of nuclear proliferation, climate change, and environmental toxins...
, United Nations Association of Canada, and the Canadian Institute of Strategic Studies. The Foundation was also a key contributor to fighting Acid Rain in 1981 that later inspired amendments to the U.S. Clean Air Act
Clean Air Act
A Clean Air Act is one of a number of pieces of legislation relating to the reduction of airborne contaminants, smog and air pollution in general. The use by governments to enforce clean air standards has contributed to an improvement in human health and longer life spans...
of 1990.
After the death of Walter Gordon in 1987, Duncan Gordon asked Pierre Trudeau
Pierre Trudeau
Joseph Philippe Pierre Yves Elliott Trudeau, , usually known as Pierre Trudeau or Pierre Elliott Trudeau, was the 15th Prime Minister of Canada from April 20, 1968 to June 4, 1979, and again from March 3, 1980 to June 30, 1984.Trudeau began his political career campaigning for socialist ideals,...
’s former primary secretary and speechwriter Thomas Axworthy to help develop a focus for the foundation with regards to peace-building. After the death of Duncan Gordon later on that year, Walter Duncan’s children took over the foundation and headed the board of directors. They also expanded the Foundation from a family to a private foundation model. With the overhaul of the foundation the directors decided to refocus the Foundation’s mandate to concentrate on four areas of interest: secondary education; peace, security and conflict management; the environment and the Arctic.
The 1990’s
With the success of the amendments to the U.S. Clean Air ActClean Air Act
A Clean Air Act is one of a number of pieces of legislation relating to the reduction of airborne contaminants, smog and air pollution in general. The use by governments to enforce clean air standards has contributed to an improvement in human health and longer life spans...
the Foundation was interested in uphold its commitment to the environment. The Foundation started to focus on environmental policy and incorporating it into the federal government. The Foundation narrowed its environmental to focus air quality and water issues. In the 1990s’ the Foundation also was instrumental in creating the multi- million dollar initiatives: MiningWatch Canada, People for Education and the Manitoba School Improvement Program.
The other pillar of the Foundation was on peace, security and conflict management. Eventually this focus melded with their concentration on the Arctic. The Walter and Duncan Gordon Foundation along with Science for Peace
Science for Peace
Science for Peace is an organization of mainly Canadian scientists working together to promote peace worldwide. It was co-founded by mathematical psychologist Anatol Rapoport, and physicist Eric Fawcett, both former professors at the University of Toronto. It is based in Toronto, Ontario.-External...
and Finnish researchers worked to initiate movements towards the creation of the Arctic Council
Arctic Council
The Arctic Council is a high-level intergovernmental forum which addresses issues faced by the Arctic governments and the indigenous people of the Arctic.- History of the Arctic Council :...
. With the help of prominent Arctic scholars such as: Franklyn Griffiths, John Lamb and Bill Fox, politicians such as: Tony Penikett
Tony Penikett
Antony David John Penikett is a mediator and negotiator and former politician in Yukon, Canada.-Life and work:An activist with the New Democratic Party , Penikett was campaign manager in 1972 for Wally Firth, the first indigenous northern MP ever elected to the House of Commons...
, and help from people from indigenous champions such as: Rosemarie Kuptana, Mary Simon
Mary Simon
Mary J. May Simon, is a former Canadian diplomat and current fellow with the Arctic Institute of North America. Early in her career, she was a producer and announcer for CBC North, and later entered public service as secretary of the board for the Northern Quebec Inuit Association...
, the Inuit Circumpolar Conference
Inuit Circumpolar Conference
Originally known as the Inuit Circumpolar Conference, the Inuit Circumpolar Council is a multinational non-governmental organization representing the 150,000 Inuit people living in the United States, Canada, Greenland, and Russia.The Conference, which first met in June 1984 in Barrow, Alaska,...
the Canadian government moved towards the creation of the Arctic Council
Arctic Council
The Arctic Council is a high-level intergovernmental forum which addresses issues faced by the Arctic governments and the indigenous people of the Arctic.- History of the Arctic Council :...
and the creation of the Canadian Ambassador for Circumpolar Affairs in 1994. The Foundation also supported Sheila Watt-Cloutier
Sheila Watt-Cloutier
Sheila Watt-Cloutier, OC is a Canadian Inuit activist. She has been a political representative for Inuit at the regional, national and international levels, most recently as International Chair for Inuit Circumpolar Council...
during her leadership as the Chair of the Inuit Circumpolar Conference
Inuit Circumpolar Conference
Originally known as the Inuit Circumpolar Conference, the Inuit Circumpolar Council is a multinational non-governmental organization representing the 150,000 Inuit people living in the United States, Canada, Greenland, and Russia.The Conference, which first met in June 1984 in Barrow, Alaska,...
.
Currently
In 2009, Dr. Thomas Axworthy became CEO and President of the Walter and Duncan Gordon Foundation. The Foundation has a continued interest in two pillars: Fresh Water and the Arctic. Both pillars are continually being developed and shaping the direction of the Foundation. The Foundation also has an active voice in advocating for a University in Canada’s North. 2009 was a year of change at the Walter and Duncan Gordon Foundation, due to economic restraints some of the programs the Foundation had been involved in were wound down.The Walter and Duncan Gordon Foundation funded a legal analysis to allow First Nations to be eligible recipients of grants from foundations. Often, charities were unsure of whether or not they were legally allowed to make grants to First Nations and aboriginal organizations. The analysis supported by the Foundation led to a clarification of First Nations as legal donees under Canada Revenue Agency
Canada Revenue Agency
The Canada Revenue Agency is a federal agency that administers tax laws for the Government of Canada and for most provinces and territories, international trade legislation, and various social and economic benefit and incentive programs delivered through the tax system...
’s Income Tax Act.
The Walter and Duncan Gordon Foundation helped create the IBA Community Toolkit which is a resource to First Nation, Inuit
Inuit
The Inuit are a group of culturally similar indigenous peoples inhabiting the Arctic regions of Canada , Denmark , Russia and the United States . Inuit means “the people” in the Inuktitut language...
and Métis
Métis people (Canada)
The Métis are one of the Aboriginal peoples in Canada who trace their descent to mixed First Nations parentage. The term was historically a catch-all describing the offspring of any such union, but within generations the culture syncretised into what is today a distinct aboriginal group, with...
communities to educate them about the benefit agreements in their areas. Though based around the mining sector the Toolkit aims to act as a guideline for communities "negotiators, and consultants to achieve positive agreements for Aboriginal communities" within the natural resource industry.
The Union of BC Indian Chiefs, Ecotrust Canada and the Walter and Duncan Gordon Foundation came together to fund and publish Living Proof. This book is aimed to be “a how-to manual to help readers design and run the data-collection component of a successful map project” . “Living Proof” written by Terry N. Tobias is aimed to be a tool for indigenous use and occupancy map surveys.
In the 1990’s the Walter and Duncan Gordon Foundation established a long standing relationship with David Schindler
David Schindler
David William Schindler OC, D.Phil., FRSC, FRS is an American/Canadian limnologist. He holds the Killam Memorial Chair and is Professor of Ecology in the at the University of Alberta in Edmonton, Canada...
a limnologist at the University of Alberta
University of Alberta
The University of Alberta is a public research university located in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Founded in 1908 by Alexander Cameron Rutherford, the first premier of Alberta and Henry Marshall Tory, its first president, it is widely recognized as one of the best universities in Canada...
. Most recently, the Foundation along with Tides Canada helped fund a study which “counter[s] the reports by a joint industry-government panel that the pollutant levels are due to natural sources rather than human development” in the Alberta Oilsands.
The Circle on Philanthropy and Aboriginal Peoples is another collaboration that the Walter and Duncan Gordon Foundation has made a commitment to. The Circle on Philanthropy and Aboriginal Peoples is an “open network to promote giving, sharing, and social investing in Aboriginal communities across the country”
Global Citizenship
The Global Citizenship Program was suspended in 2010 after the Walter and Duncan Gordon Foundation’s budget was restructured. The Global Citizenship Program ran from 2005-2010 by the former President and CEO of the Walter and Duncan Gordon Foundation Patrick JohnstonPatrick Johnston (Canadian politician)
Patrick Johnston is a Canadian administrator, policy analyst and former politician. He was recruited by Liberal Party leader John Turner to contest the 1988 election for the party, but unexpectedly lost his nomination to a rival candidate supported by pro-life activists.A teacher and social worker...
. The aim of the program was to examine Canada’s foreign aid architecture and to discuss Canada’s role in the world.
Arctic Program
The Walter and Duncan Gordon Foundation have continued their commitment to the Canadian North by expanding their programming to the North. The Arctic Security Program in conjunction with the Canada Centre for Global Security Studies at the Munk School of Global AffairsMunk School of Global Affairs
The Munk School for Global Affairs at the University of Toronto is an interdisciplinary academic centre on global issues that integrates research with teaching and public education...
has a 4-year mandate and is projected to continue until June 2014.
In January 2011 the Walter and Duncan Gordon Foundation along with the Canada Centre for Global Security Studies at the Munk School of Global Affairs
Munk School of Global Affairs
The Munk School for Global Affairs at the University of Toronto is an interdisciplinary academic centre on global issues that integrates research with teaching and public education...
released a public opinion poll focused on the global perceptions of Arctic Security called “Rethinking the Top of the World” The survey “included phone interviews with close to 2,800 Canadians, including 744 residents of the territories” along with residents of the seven other Arctic Council
Arctic Council
The Arctic Council is a high-level intergovernmental forum which addresses issues faced by the Arctic governments and the indigenous people of the Arctic.- History of the Arctic Council :...
states (Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
, Norway
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
, Finland
Finland
Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
, Iceland
Iceland
Iceland , described as the Republic of Iceland, is a Nordic and European island country in the North Atlantic Ocean, on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Iceland also refers to the main island of the country, which contains almost all the population and almost all the land area. The country has a population...
and Greenland
Greenland
Greenland is an autonomous country within the Kingdom of Denmark, located between the Arctic and Atlantic Oceans, east of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago. Though physiographically a part of the continent of North America, Greenland has been politically and culturally associated with Europe for...
/ Denmark
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
) totaling 9,000 people. The survey findings garnered substantial media attention globally.
The Arctic Program focuses on Nunavut
Nunavut
Nunavut is the largest and newest federal territory of Canada; it was separated officially from the Northwest Territories on April 1, 1999, via the Nunavut Act and the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement Act, though the actual boundaries had been established in 1993...
, Yukon
Yukon
Yukon is the westernmost and smallest of Canada's three federal territories. It was named after the Yukon River. The word Yukon means "Great River" in Gwich’in....
and the Northwest Territories
Northwest Territories
The Northwest Territories is a federal territory of Canada.Located in northern Canada, the territory borders Canada's two other territories, Yukon to the west and Nunavut to the east, and three provinces: British Columbia to the southwest, and Alberta and Saskatchewan to the south...
, as well as Northern Quebec (Nunavik
Nunavik
Nunavik comprises the northern third of the province of Quebec, Canada. Covering a land area of 443,684.71 km² north of the 55th parallel, it is the homeland of the Inuit of Quebec...
) and Northern Labrador (Nunatsiavut
Nunatsiavut
Nunatsiavut is an autonomous area claimed by the Inuit in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. The settlement area includes territory in Labrador extending to the Quebec border. In 2002, the Labrador Inuit Association submitted a proposal for limited autonomy to the government of Newfoundland and...
). Other areas of focus for the Arctic Program are to encourage new leadership by a younger generation of Northern Canadians, greater equity in the North in terms of benefitting from natural resources, promoting the role of Northerners in all levels of government and lastly, “Supporting an agenda on Arctic Security that meets the needs of residents of the Arctic, and includes issues such as food security, search and rescue, and human and capital infrastructure”
Fresh Water Program
The Walter and Duncan Gordon Foundation is also working towards “the development of a comprehensive legal, regulatory and citizen action framework for the purpose of protecting the quality and quantity of fresh water resources for future generations of Canadians." The Walter and Duncan Gordon Foundation helps organize Canadian Water Week. The first annual Canada Water week took place in March 2011. From March 21-23, 2011 the Walter and Duncan Gordon Foundation along with the Inter-Action CouncilInterAction Council of Former Heads of State and Government
The InterAction Council of Former Heads of State and Government is an independent international organization designed to bring together former world leaders to mobilize their energy, experience and international contacts in an effort to develop and encourage change around the world.Founded in 1983,...
held a conference discussing global water security. The conference was chaired by Jean Chrétien
Jean Chrétien
Joseph Jacques Jean Chrétien , known commonly as Jean Chrétien is a former Canadian politician who was the 20th Prime Minister of Canada. He served in the position for over ten years, from November 4, 1993 to December 12, 2003....
the former Prime Minister of Canada
Prime Minister of Canada
The Prime Minister of Canada is the primary minister of the Crown, chairman of the Cabinet, and thus head of government for Canada, charged with advising the Canadian monarch or viceroy on the exercise of the executive powers vested in them by the constitution...
, Olusegun Obasanjo the former President of Nigeria
Nigeria
Nigeria , officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal constitutional republic comprising 36 states and its Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The country is located in West Africa and shares land borders with the Republic of Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroon in the east, and Niger in...
and former Chancellor of Austria
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
Franz Vranitzky
Franz Vranitzky
Franz Vranitzky is an Austrian politician. A member of the Social Democratic Party of Austria , he was Chancellor of Austria from 1986 to 1997.-Early life and career:...
. Experts from all over the world were invited to discuss water security in the future and policy options. In May 2011, Tom Axworthy was appointed Secretary General of the InterAction Council further strengthening the ties between the Walter and Duncan Gordon Foundation and the InterAction Council.
The Fresh Water Program would like to influence a legal, regulatory and citizen action framework to protect Canada’s water resources. The Walter and Duncan Gordon Foundation support the implementation of a National Water Strategy to ensure access to drinking water to all Canadians. This includes the development and implementation of Regional Water Governance Frameworks. The Foundation would also like to strengthen “Canada’s role in advancing Global Water Security, including issues related to conflict, development and human rights”
The Walter and Duncan Gordon Foundation are active funders of the Forum for Leadership in Water (FLOW) and Tides Canada. Both Tides Canada and FLOW are committed to water security and education for Canadians.
Jane Glassco Arctic Fellowship Program
With the passing of Jane Glassco, the daughter of Walter and Elizabeth Gordon in 2010 an Arctic Fellowship Program was created. The fellowship program was created to help build a stronger North guided by Northerners. The recipients are young Northerners, many of which are of Aboriginal descent between the ages of 25-35. The J.M Kaplan Fund co-funds the Program.Elizabeth L. Gordon Art Program
During her lifetime Elizabeth Gordon was dedicated to the arts and supported the local arts. Her past contributions included funding to the Shaw FestivalShaw Festival
The Shaw Festival is a major Canadian theatre festival in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, the second largest repertory theatre company in North America...
and the Art Gallery of Ontario
Art Gallery of Ontario
Under the direction of its CEO Matthew Teitelbaum, the AGO embarked on a $254 million redevelopment plan by architect Frank Gehry in 2004, called Transformation AGO. The new addition would require demolition of the 1992 Post-Modernist wing by Barton Myers and Kuwabara Payne McKenna Blumberg...
. The goal of this Program is to help Ontario galleries expand their collections . The Elizabeth L. Gordon Art Program has been suspended for 2010 and 2011 but will be reintroduced in 2012.
See Also
- The Walter and Duncan Gordon Foundation Homepage: http://www.wdgf.ca/
- Edmonton Journal: http://www.edmontonjournal.com/news/Canadians+hawkish+Arctic+survey+finds/4168304/story.html
- The Globe and Mail: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/canadians-rank-arctic-sovereignty-as-top-foreign-policy-priority/article1881287/
- Canada Water Week: http://www.canadawaterweek.com/
- Tom Axworthy Appointed Secretary General of the InterAction Council: http://www.interactioncouncil.org/dr-thomas-axworthy-appointed-secretary-general-interaction-council