Join the APG
Photo: MCC
Membership is open to Canadian civil society organizations and research institutions with a policy, program, and/or research interests in Latin America and the Caribbean. Members’ work and organizational mandate must be consistent with the APG’s policy positions.
Policy Positions
The APG’s policy positions are informed by the priorities of member organizations and their Latin American and Caribbean partners. Based on broad consensus and precedent, the following outline the APG’s overarching policy positions:
Indigenous peoples’ rights
The APG believes that Indigenous and Tribal peoples’ self-determination is central to democratic processes. The APG upholds that Indigenous peoples have the right to Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC), as stipulated by the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. The APG affirms that Indigenous and Tribal peoples have the right to participate in decisions that could affect their rights, property, cultures, and territories.
Democratic governance and peace and security
The APG upholds the principle of popular sovereignty. The APG further believes that solidarity between Latin American, Caribbean, and Canadian civil society organizations is key to addressing injustices and the causes and effects of armed conflict and to promoting peace, human rights, and social and environmental justice.
Photo: FAQ
Trade and investment policy
The APG considers that all trade and investment agreements must be negotiated and monitored in a transparent and democratic manner, based on international human rights and labour laws as well as environmental standards. The APG opposes the signing of trade and investment agreements with countries that have poor democratic governance, human rights, labour rights, and environmental rights records.
Corporate accountability
The APG is a proponent of corporate accountability and maintains that Canadian corporations must be required to meet and be accountable to international human rights, labour, and environmental standards in their operations and supply chains across the globe. The APG believes that mandatory transparent corporate reporting against these standards is essential, and that Canadian public support to corporations must be contingent upon compliance.
Member Benefits
Increased policy impact by engaging in collective dialogue and advocacy with Canadian government authorities, parliamentarians, and other decision-making bodies.
Access to government officials and policy makers through events and dialogue sessions organized by the network and its working groups.
Increased knowledge of the region by participating in learning events, member meetings, and collective research.
Improved quality and impact of work by exchanging experiences and lessons-learned on policy and programming issues.
Involvement in a diverse network with a vast reach in terms of Canadian CSOs, research institutions, government officials, consultants, and the public.
Support from the coordinator in implementing policy and advocacy strategies on collective priorities for the region.
Photo: CoDevelopment Canada
Member Participation
Participate in regional working groups to help shape APG research, policy briefs, and advocacy strategies.
Collaborate with other members to draft statements, letters, policy briefs, etc.
Join mailing lists that provide information and analysis on development and human rights issues in the Americas and help members stay abreast of current events and trends in the region.
Participate in learning events and member meetings.
Those who are interested in taking on a leadership role can be a convener of one of the network’s working group or join the APG Steering Committee and work closely with the coordinator to elaborate and implement the activities outlined in the annual work plan.
Expectations of Members
All APG members are expected to make annual financial contributions towards the APG’s budget, according to their means. Those facing financial constraints are encouraged to discuss their situation with the coordinator or Steering Committee.
APG members are expected to respect the confidentiality and sensitive nature of information shared amongst members.
APG members are expected to come to the table with the collaborative and anti-discriminatory attitude. Members are asked to treat each other as equals, balance speaking and listening, and respect the time and process needed for collective decision making and to achieve consensus.
APG members are expected to understand that coalitions are most effective when there is active participation and a shared workload.
Application Process
Membership requests must be sent to our email address. The Steering Committee will assess the application and meet with the applicant to ensure that their policy, programmatic, and/or research focus as well as mandate are consistent with the APG’s interests and policy positions.