As a result of their deliberations committees may make recommendations which they include in their reports for the consideration of the House of Commons or the Government. Recommendations related to this study are listed below.

Recommendation 1

The Government of Canada should consider offering greater assistance to Somalia to address attacks by al-Shabaab, including through contributions to the United Nations Security Council-mandated African Union Mission in Somalia, and by providing technical advice and support for improved engagement of marginalized groups.

Recommendation 2

The Government of Canada should support projects aimed at fostering inclusive governance and reconciliation in Somalia. In so doing, the government should explore mechanisms through which it can engage Somali-Canadians, as well as local stakeholders and organizations in Somalia, who are working to build peace and a better future for the country.

Recommendation 3

The Government of Canada should consider an initiative, such as hosting an international conference, to mobilize greater international assistance for humanitarian efforts in Somalia and better donor engagement on the ground. Such a conference should have a dedicated session on engagement of the diaspora communities.

Recommendation 4

The Government of Canada should work with its international partners, regional organizations such as the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, and local organizations and stakeholders in South Sudan, to ensure the full and timely implementation of the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan.

Recommendation 5

The Government of Canada, consistent with its Feminist International Assistance Policy, should consider providing new, additional, predictable and sustained development assistance in support of national and grassroots organizations and stakeholders in the Democratic Republic of the Congo with the objective of strengthening the electoral process and democratic institutions, and, in particular, of enhancing the engagement of women and girls.

Recommendation 6

The Government of Canada, consistent with its Feminist International Assistance Policy, should consider increasing its international assistance to Somalia and South Sudan for women-led households and for basic education, in particular for primary school for girls.

Recommendation 7

The Government of Canada should consider increasing its international assistance to Somalia, South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, including in the area of democractic governance.

Recommendation 8

The Government of Canada should expand its support to local and international organizations that are providing skills and vocational training opportunities to refugee populations from fragile and conflict-affected states, including from Somalia, South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Recommendation 9

The Government of Canada, in providing any humanitarian assistance to Somalia, South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, should, where possible, prioritize that support as direct support to local organizations, including for capacity building, so that they may better assume leadership roles in this delivery.

Recommendation 10

The Government of Canada should work through multilateral channels to build support for innovative approaches such as the Elsie Initiative on Women in Peace Operations and the Vancouver Principles on Peacekeeping and the Prevention of the Recruitment and Use of Child Soldiers that prioritize the protection of civilians in situations of armed conflict, and for other initiatives that prioritize the protection of women and girls from sexual violence in Somalia, South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Recommendation 11

The Government of Canada should work with local and international humanitarian organizations, regional organizations, government officials and other stakeholders in Somalia, South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to ensure the safety of women and girls, as well as displaced populations, and to ensure consistent and full humanitarian access to all areas in need, while also working to guarantee the safety of humanitarian workers in these contexts.

Recommendation 12

The Government of Canada should consider investing in projects aimed at ensuring the meaningful involvement of women in peace processes and peacebuilding initiatives in Somalia, South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Recommendation 13

The Government of Canada should consider supporting initiatives focused on building the capacity of women to run for elected political office and assume other leadership positions in Somalia, South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Recommendation 14

The Government of Canada should, as a matter of policy to counter the illicit industry of conflict minerals, consider increasing its aid envelope to enable greater support for initiatives aimed at curbing the exploitation of, and trade in, illicit natural resources, including minerals extracted by, or for the benefit of, armed groups in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Recommendation 15

The Government of Canada should study ways in which it can help foster the legitimate use of natural resources in Somalia, South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, in a manner that respects human rights obligations, and contributes to stable, sustainable and self-sufficient economies.

Recommendation 16

The Government of Canada should consider increasing its aid envelope in Somalia, South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to enable greater support for the efforts of local civil society organizations and human rights defenders that are working to combat impunity and to strengthen accountability and the rule of law.