International treaties are often used by countries to address concerns that cross national boundaries, including the environment, human rights, humanitarian crises, maritime issues, security and trade. 

But while over 250,000 international treaties exist, no study has ever compiled and analyzed the decades’ worth of research that assesses such treaties’ effectiveness.

That changed on Aug. 2 with the publication of , a landmark study produced by the 91ŃÇÉ«-affiliated  and appearing in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

The researchers found that with the notable exception of treaties governing trade and finance, international treaties have generally failed to produce their intended effects.

“Not only did many treaties have no measurable impact, but some treaties may have even led to unintended harmful impacts,” says study author Mathieu J.P. Poirier, professor in the Faculty of Health at 91ŃÇÉ« U and co-director of the Global Strategy Lab. “For instance, the  was found to be the treaty associated with the most harmful effects, including worsened human rights practices, no improvements in health outcomes and, paradoxically, increases in child labour. 

“These counterintuitive impacts could stem from repressive governments seeking diplomatic rewards for signing human rights treaties while facing few consequences for failures to comply with treaty provisions.”

Importantly, for treaties governing environmental, human rights, humanitarian, maritime, and security policy domains, the only modifiable treaty design choice with the potential to improve effectiveness was the inclusion of enforcement mechanisms, such as prescribing financial sanctions on countries or expelling countries from treaty bodies.

In contrast, the study found other mechanisms, such as complaint, oversight, and transparency clauses, were not associated with greater effectiveness. 

“The implications are huge for civil society, multilateral organizations and all government agencies involved in negotiating treaties,” says Poirier. “Today there are at least 250,000 treaties, yet relatively few have been evaluated for impact, which means we do not know whether these instruments are effectively serving their intended purpose. And yet, leaders from government, academia, business and civil society routinely call for new treaties to address global challenges under the assumption that most treaties work as intended.”

The only exceptions to the rule of ineffectiveness, the researchers found, are treaties governing international trade and finance, which consistently produced intended effects.

The study, produced out of the Global Strategy Lab by an international team of researchers, was led by Steven Hoffman, professor at  and Dahdaleh Distinguished Chair in Public Health, and Mathieu Poirier, assistant professor at the 91ŃÇÉ« U School of Global Health and 91ŃÇÉ« Research Chair in Global Health Equity.

Methodology: 
Using innovative global legal epidemiological methods, the researchers evaluated which treaties have effects, what those effects are, and how future treaties could be designed for greater effectiveness. To that end, GSL researchers conducted a systematic field-wide evidence synthesis, which included a rigorous systematic review of all existing quantitative impact evaluations of treaties.  

About the Global Strategy Lab:
The Global Strategy Lab is a bi-campus interdisciplinary research lab that brings cutting-edge science and scholarship to bear on how global institutions, instruments and initiatives are designed to better address the most pressing global challenges. Based at 91ŃÇÉ« and the University of Ottawa, we advise governments and public health organizations on how to design laws, policies and institutions that make the world a healthier place for everyone.

91ŃÇÉ« is a modern, multi-campus, urban university located in Toronto, Ontario. Backed by a diverse group of students, faculty, staff, alumni and partners, we bring a uniquely global perspective to help solve societal challenges, drive positive change and prepare our students for success. 91ŃÇÉ«'s fully bilingual Glendon Campus is home to Southern Ontario's Centre of Excellence for French Language and Bilingual Postsecondary Education. 91ŃÇɫ’s campuses in Costa Rica and India offer students exceptional transnational learning opportunities and innovative programs. Together, we can make things right for our communities, our planet, and our future.

Media Contact:

Matt LaForge, 91ŃÇÉ« Media Relations, 437-242-1547, mlaforge@yorku.ca

The post Do international treaties actually work? 91ŃÇÉ«-led study says they mostly don’t appeared first on News@91ŃÇÉ«.

TORONTO, Sept. 23, 2021 – As the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation approaches, the Polishing the Chain – Treaty Relations in Toronto speaker series will launch at 91ŃÇÉ«, exploring the spirit and intent of Toronto treaties, along with settler and Indigenous treaty responsibilities.

Toronto is the traditional territory of the Wendat, Anishnaabeg and Haudenosaunee Confederacies where a web of historical treaties was negotiated and are still relevant today. The speaker series, organized by 91ŃÇÉ« Assistant Professor of the Faculty of Environmental and Urban Change with student Tara Chandran, will look at how Indigenous Peoples uphold these treaties and to what extent they are reflected in contemporary Indigenous/state relations.

The series is one small step down a long road toward reconciliation. The upcoming talks will take place via Zoom from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Register .

Sept. 28 – The Symbolic Language of Wampum Diplomacy, co-presented with the Toronto Biennial of Art.

This first talk will feature 91ŃÇÉ« Assistant Professor of the Faculty of Liberal Arts and Professional Studies and the Canada Research Chair in Indigenous History of North America; and Rick Hill, a Tuscarora writer, historian and curator, discussing the Covenant Chain and the visual and metaphoric language of wampum diplomacy. At the 1764 Treaty of Niagara, the British extended their nearly century-old Covenant Chain alliance with the Haudenosaunee to the 24 western nations of the Great Lakes area. Corbiere and Hill will explore the symbolism represented in the belts delivered at Niagara to secure this crucial alliance. Interdisciplinary Kanienkehaka artist Ange Loft, the lead of Jumblies Theatre + Arts’ Talking Treaties project, will look at the ways this visual language is deployed in her current Dish Dances film and A Treaty Guide for Torontonians book, both of which will be featured in the 2022 Toronto Biennial of Art.

Oct. 26 – Taking care of the Dish: Treaties, Indigenous Law & Environmental Justice

Indigenous/Crown treaties represent a meeting between Indigenous and colonial legal orders, not times when colonial law was imposed. To understand treaty relations, it’s important to first understand the Indigenous laws, knowledge systems and visions of justice these treaties are grounded in. This talk will feature 91ŃÇÉ« Associate Professor , Canada Research Chair in Indigenous Environmental Justice; Carolynne Crawley of the Indigenous Stewardship Circle; and Adrianne Lickers Xavier, director of the Indigenous studies program at McMaster University. The speakers will reflect on their work in Indigenous environmental justice in relation to Indigenous law and treaties to explore the ways these agreements guide Indigenous land stewardship, and how they are being lived in Toronto and southern Ontario today.

Nov. 23 – Treaty relations, Planning and Indigenous Consultation at the City of Toronto

Treaties, the Crown’s duty to consult, and Ontario’s Provincial Policy Statement have triggered new practices of Indigenous consultation and urban planning in Toronto. In this panel, speakers will discuss Indigenous planning and decision making in the GTA. Selina Young, director of the Indigenous Affairs Office for the City of Toronto; Associate Professor Leela Viswanathan of the School of Urban and Regional Planning, Queen’s University; and Bob Goulai of Niibisin Consulting will discuss the extent to which city planning includes Indigenous nations and communities, and whether or not Indigenous Peoples have meaningful authority or decision-making power in relation to land and waters. Does the City recognize and enable their ability to practise ceremony, plant and harvest food and medicines, or enact stewardship responsibilities?

Polishing the Chain is co-presented by 91ŃÇɫ’s Faculty of Environmental and Urban Change, Centre for Indigenous Knowledges and Languages, and Indigenous Environmental Justice Project, along with Jumblies Theatre + Art’s Talking Treaties project, and Toronto Biennial of Art.

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91ŃÇÉ« is a modern, multi-campus, urban university located in Toronto, Ontario. Backed by a diverse group of students, faculty, staff, alumni and partners, we bring a uniquely global perspective to help solve societal challenges, drive positive change and prepare our students for success. 91ŃÇÉ«'s fully bilingual Glendon Campus is home to Southern Ontario's Centre of Excellence for French Language and Bilingual Postsecondary Education. 91ŃÇɫ’s campuses in Costa Rica and India offer students exceptional transnational learning opportunities and innovative programs. Together, we can make things right for our communities, our planet, and our future.

Media Contact:
Sandra McLean, 91ŃÇÉ« Media Relations, 416-272-6317, sandramc@yorku.ca

The post What does it mean to be a treaty person in Toronto? appeared first on News@91ŃÇÉ«.