NEWS RELEASES
RELEASE OF THE CO-CHAIRS' REPORT OF THE SECOND ANNUAL NATIONAL FORUM ON CANADA'S INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
January 3, 1996 No. 1
RELEASE OF THE CO-CHAIRS' REPORT
OF THE SECOND ANNUAL NATIONAL FORUM
ON CANADA'S INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
Foreign Affairs Minister André Ouellet, Defence Minister David Collenette and
International Trade Minister Roy MacLaren today announced that they have received
the Report and Recommendations of the Second National Forum on Canada's
International Relations from the Forum's co-chairpersons, Lorna Marsden and Jean
Monty. Attended by more than 100 people from across Canada, the Forum was held in
Toronto, September 10-11, 1995. The theme was Canada and International
Institutions: Meeting the Challenges of the Twenty-First Century.
The Forum Report reaffirms the central importance of international institutions,
particularly the United Nations, to Canada's security, prosperity and well-being.
The Report suggests that Canada should play a lead role in promoting greater
efficiency and transparency among international institutions, and provide focussed
and performance-based support to international institutions. The Report also
recognizes the need for policy and program coherence and the elimination of
duplication among international organizations. Stressing the need for rules-based
international trading regimes, the Report urges continued support for the World
Trade Organization.
In thanking the co-chairs and Forum participants, the ministers said that they
would forward the Report to members of Parliament, ministers and government
officials. Foreign Affairs Minister André Ouellet also indicated that the Report
would be referred to the Advisory Board for Foreign Policy Outreach, the formation
of which he announced at the Forum.
The National Forum is part of the Government's commitment to open foreign policy
formulation to the public. The Government also considers that policy
implementation can benefit from ongoing assessment in times of constant change in
the international environment. The Advisory Board for Foreign Policy Outreach is
part of that process. Chaired by University of Toronto Professor Janice Gross
Stein, the Advisory Board has been asked to make recommendations to the Minister
of Foreign Affairs on foreign policy consultation, research and outreach.
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For further information, media representatives may contact:
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Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
(613) 995-1874
To obtain a printed copy of the report or to access it by electronic means:
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
1. Call Centre Hot-Line/Walk-in Centre
1-800-267-8376 or (613) 944-4000 in the Ottawa/Hull region.
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Users may call from a fax machine and interact with the system using the Touch-Tone key pad on their phones: FaxLink Domestic (613) 944-4500; FaxLink
International (613) 944-6500. The only costs are the applicable long-distance
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3. InfoCentre Bulletin Board (IBB)
To access the system, you need a computer, modem, telephone line and basic
communications software. Dial (613) 944-1581 or 1-800-628-1581 (toll-free applies
if in Canada) to access the site and register on-line.
4. Internet Web/Gopher Service
You can access the Department's Internet site at:
http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca.
Canadian International Development Agency
Internet site: http://www.acdi-cida.gc.ca
National Defence
Internet site: http://www.dnd.ca/
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