Taking the Accord Forward: The First Report to Canadians on Implementing An Accord Between the Government of Canada and the Voluntary Sector

Background Paper: Voluntary Sector Implementation

About this Paper

Some context

When An Accord Between the Government of Canada and the Voluntary Sector was signed in December 2001, it committed the two sectors to reporting annually on their progress in implementing the Accord. Taking the Accord Forward: The First Report to Canadians on Implementing An Accord Between the Government of Canada and the Voluntary Sector fulfills that promise, providing a joint assessment of government and voluntary sector accomplishments from October 2002 to September 2003. The report serves another purpose as well, identifying the sectors’ joint priorities as they move forward to build a revitalized relationship by implementing the principles and practices set out in the Accord. (Taking the Accord Forward is available on VSI web site – www.vsi-isbc.ca)

Purpose, scope and organization

This background paper is one of two appendices to Taking the Accord Forward. A resource for those wishing more in-depth information about voluntary sector activities in this area, it provides a detailed accounting of the sector’s progress and plans for putting the Accord to work in voluntary sector organizations. Like the overview report, Section A of the background paper describes key accomplishments in the five activity areas set out in the Accord:

• A solid foundation: putting in place organizational structures in the federal government and the voluntary sector to put the Accord into action
• Awareness is key: raising awareness of the Accord within the voluntary sector and the federal government, as well as among Canadians
• Putting the Codes into action: developing codes of good practice to help guide interactions between the two sectors
• Tracking our progress: establishing processes for monitoring the Accord, reporting to Canadians about progress and moving forward on priorities
• A shared journey: holding regular meetings between Ministers and sector representatives

Section B of the paper looks ahead, setting out the priorities that will guide the voluntary sector’s work over the coming years.

For more information...

A companion document outlining the federal government’s recent progress and priorities for the future is also available. To find out more about these reports, the Accord and Codes of Good Practice, or the VSI, see The Voluntary Sector Forum web site at www.voluntary-sector.ca or the VSI web site at www.vsi-isbc.ca or call (613) 238-7555 or 1-800-821-8814 (toll free).