Renewal friend Shauna Sylvester recently appealed to Canadians to get informed about foreign policy as the federal election heats up:

"For those concerned about the world beyond Canada's borders, the last election was a disturbing time. Canada's role in the world, global issues and foreign policy barely made it onto the fringes of debate and discussion. Canadians were left wondering where the leaders and parties stood on the most important issues facing Canada in an interconnected world.  Just after the polls closed, Canada faced some of the biggest global challenges of our time - the bombing of Lebanon and the evacuation of Canadians, increased pressure on our troops in Afghanistan, and the failure of the Kyoto Accord.  Hard evidence that these issues matter, and that we need to know how any potential government would respond to global crises and challenges.

A week into this election campaign, we are already seeing the same conspicuous absence of useful, concrete information on our potential leaders' visions for Canada's role in the world.  As citizens, we need to change that.  Work with Canada's World to put global issues and challenges on the table during the next federal election campaign.  Get informed about foreign policy, and ask questions of those who are seeking your vote.

At www.votefortheworld.ca, you'll find all the tools you need - including elections kits for you and your organizations -- to make global issues a priority during the election campaign.  Join us as we make this election smarter, and more aware of the world around us.  Learn about the questions that matter to Canadians, and how to ask these questions of the candidates, the media and in your own community.  Together we can ensure that we find leaders who care about the world as much as we do."