Perspective
It Takes a Village
Who can argue with the obvious conclusion that the world has become one large global community and not just a separate collection of unconnected countries, regions, or issues? If we ever needed a remarkable example of the emergence of our global village, it surely was the Canadian response to the Asian tsunami disaster.
After that catastrophic event, Canadians opened their hearts and wallets in an unprecedented fashion. The outpouring of generosity to aid agencies stunned everyone. This display of global citizenship is a remarkable beacon of hope in a world beset by many problems, both man-made and natural.
That's why I am so glad to see this issue of CGA Magazine focus on a key topic related to the accounting profession within the international community, as outlined in the feature by Gerry Stobo of Borden Ladner Gervais, on the necessity of promoting and encouraging international professional mobility.
CGA-Canada has long been on record as promoting the full professional mobility of CGAs within Canada — across all Canadian provincial and territorial boundaries. We've looked to the Canadian Agreement on Internal Trade to ensure that Canadian governments walk the talk when it comes to free trade and full professional mobility inside our country.
Yet as we move ever closer to the adoption of universally accepted international financial reporting standards, we still have a long way to go before the full international mobility of professionally designated accountants becomes a reality. This goal has never been more critical.
The ongoing importance of professional mobility and other closely related issues is why CGA-Canada makes it a priority to maintain and nurture our international relationships. The International Federation of Accountants is a key international body in which we have active and ongoing representation. There are many other groups, formal and informal, large and small, that play an important role in keeping our international vision alive. Each one is critical in the advancement of a truly international perspective on accounting interests and, ultimately, the public interest.
With the rapid emergence of the global village, CGAs and our Association clearly recognize that we do not stand alone. Nor will we stand alone in the future. There are many challenges and opportunities for us here at home. At the same time, we will continue to acknowledge the importance of our role on the international stage in that ever more populous global village — the very one Canadians so proudly declared their citizenship in after the tsunami tragedy of last December.
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