WASHINGTON, June 24 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- InterAction, the largest alliance of U.S.-based international nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) focused on the world's poor and most vulnerable people, believes the Canadian government has created an unnecessary issue with international civil society organizations by breaking with recent Summit tradition and denying them space in the G8 and G20 Summit International Media Center.

According to John Ruthrauff, InterAction's Director of Member Advocacy, "The decision is an attempt to thwart possible negative media coverage." He goes on to say, "The June 15 decision is in direct contradiction with the principles of the 2010 G8 Moskoka Accountability Report," which details the efforts of how Canada and the other countries in the group are progressing on their development-related commitments.

With the media center exclusion of NGOs, the Canadian government separates itself from the U.S. and other developed nations who are on record as saying they view NGOs as critical to the process of advancing key Summit initiatives – especially during a period of tightened government budgets – and see them as a vital part of the accountability process.

InterAction is the largest alliance of US-based international nongovernmental organizations. Our 190+ members operate in every developing country, working with local communities to overcome poverty and suffering to improve quality of life. www.interaction.org

SOURCE InterAction

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