Message from IDU Chairman Rt. Hon. Stephen Harper

Dear friends and partners of the IDU,

I sincerely hope that you and your families are well at this very challenging time. We at the IDU are working hard to sustain operations and boost our digital engagement. As you know, we have had to postpone our Vienna Forum scheduled for April 18-20. At this moment, we are not optimistic about re-scheduling this event, although we continue planning for both our attendance at the U.S. Republican National Convention in August and IDU Forum 2020 in Washington, D.C. in early December.

Events in recents weeks remind us of the importance of the IDU’s core mission. This pandemic does not recognize national boundaries or political ideology. It is incumbent on us to advance international cooperation and dialogue and to share best practices and scarce resources as we face this challenge. It is also critical that the unique voice of the global centre-right be heard.

This crisis has been presented by some as a challenge to the governance of democratic societies. And it certainly is that. By necessity, extraordinary measures have been taken to deal with the pandemic. But it is important that such measures not undermine the most basic characteristics of our countries, including the freedoms of our citizenry and the restraints on state authority necessary to preserve democracy.

We must remember that it was that lack of democratic transparency and accountability that is in significant part responsible for the problem the world now faces. It was authoritarian governance that first allowed this virus to flourish in one country and thus become a global challenge. We must therefore resist those authoritarian states who seek to obscure the facts and use the crisis to pedal propaganda about their response. And we must denounce those interests who, in our own societies, seek to propagate such misinformation for reasons of narrow commercial self-interest.

As conservatives, we must also ensure that our governments do not lose focus on the economic challenge that is now coming at us as quickly as the coronavirus. The measures that countries are taking to deal with the pandemic, as necessary as they have been, are creating economic and fiscal realities that are simply unsustainable. Our populations will naturally look to the centre-right for economic answers to the coming recession and budgetary crises. At the same, as supply chains are being rebuilt and restructured, our parties must not lose sight of the importance of freer trade. When grounded in mutually beneficial agreements and national security, trade is key in driving the innovation and growth our world needs.

This is a trying time. But it has also been a time, I hope, for some of you to slow down, enjoy the company of family and close friends, and take stock. I look forward to the opportunity to see you again in the not-so-distant future.