Our work

Advocacy and institutional relations

The Center carries the voice of the communities it supports to governments and institutions, in Canada, in the Great Lakes region and internationally. It does so openly: who speaks, for whom and on what basis.

Who speaks and on what basis

Who speaks
RINET Center, a federal not-for-profit corporation (No. 1384861-2), in its own name.
On what basis
Its statutory purpose: to advocate for entrepreneurship in minority communities, and to contribute to development and human rights.
Interests represented
Those of the racialized, immigrant, refugee and displaced people the Center supports, and of the Great Lakes diaspora.
Funding
No funding dedicated to advocacy has been published to date.

The issues we champion

For each issue: what we stand for and how far our work has come. These are the Center’s positions; they are not decisions of any authority.

  • Entrepreneurship without barriers

    Entrepreneurs from minority communities create jobs, provided the barriers that pile up in their way are removed.

    What we stand for

    • fair access to credit, grants and investors
    • recognition of degrees and experience gained abroad
    • support services in French and English
    • incubation programmes funded over several years
    Status: In designOur programmes in Canada

  • A sound environment for investment

    Without stable, transparent rules, neither the diaspora nor investors will commit for the long term in the Great Lakes region.

    What we stand for

    • stable rules, published and applied to everyone
    • simple, digital procedures to register a business
    • legal certainty for property and contracts, and the fight against corruption
    • financial inclusion, including through mobile payments
    Status: In designMboka Numérique

  • The diaspora’s return and participation

    The diaspora can contribute remotely, come back for a while or settle for good. That takes a framework that allows it.

    What we stand for

    • a clear status for diaspora members who became citizens of another country
    • recognition of their skills and degrees
    • simple procedures to stay, work, invest and start a business
    • mechanisms for a gradual return of talent
    Status: Working paperDiaspora return

  • Peace, youth and jobs

    Giving young people a trade and an activity is the best alternative to forced migration and conflict.

    What we stand for

    • training in growth trades, open to young people aged 18 to 35
    • campaigns for peace and inclusive entrepreneurship
    • young people’s participation in the decisions that affect them
    Status: Schedule to be confirmedThe youth programme

  • Equality and women’s entrepreneurship

    Women and girls start businesses, but face legal, financial and social barriers.

    What we stand for

    • women’s access to finance, property and business networks
    • local policies that better support women entrepreneurs
    Status: Schedule to be confirmedThe Fempreneures programme

  • Protection and inclusion of refugees and displaced people

    Refugees, displaced people and survivors of violence need safety and care before they can rebuild a livelihood.

    What we stand for

    • access to mental health care and psychosocial support
    • the right to work and start a business where they live
    • protection services for survivors of gender-based violence
    Status: In designThe MHPSS programme

Who we talk to, and the partners we are looking for

These issues are in the hands of governments and institutions. The Center seeks to work with them; none of these partnerships is in place today, and a partner is only presented as one after a written agreement.
Status: Seeking partners

  • Government of Canada

    The departments responsible for immigration, economic development, official languages and international development.

  • Provinces and municipalities

    Ontario, Quebec, the City of Ottawa and the other communities of the National Capital Region.

  • Democratic Republic of the Congo

    The central government and the provinces, especially North Kivu: entrepreneurship, youth, digital transformation and the diaspora.

  • Countries of the Great Lakes region

    Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania and the other neighbouring countries, especially for refugees and regional trade.

  • Regional and international organizations

    African regional organizations, United Nations agencies and development banks.

  • Other stakeholders

    Businesses, financial institutions, universities, foundations, NGOs and diaspora associations.

How we work

  1. Analyse

    Sourced notes: the problem, the facts, the competent institutions, the options and our proposal.

  2. Engage

    Discussions with elected officials, ministries, public administrations and the international organizations concerned.

  3. Raise awareness

    Campaigns, community events and content on RINET TV & Radio.

  4. Mobilize

    Citizens and professionals, including from the diaspora, who bring their expertise and experience.

Our rules

Our rule for publishing partnerships
  • We publish our positions with their sources and the date they were last updated.
  • A proposal from the Center is never presented as a decision of the authorities.
  • A meeting with an institution is never presented as a partnership.
  • Consultations are described according to their actual method.
  • In Canada, when our activities count as lobbying under the law, we register in the lobbyist registries that apply.

Contribute to our advocacy

Are you affected by one of these issues, or would you like to bring your expertise? Write to us.

Write to the Center
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