NEWS RELEASES
AXWORTHY ANNOUNCES CYAP NATIONAL YOUTH CONFERENCE
December 13, 1996 No. 245
AXWORTHY ANNOUNCES CYAP
NATIONAL YOUTH CONFERENCE
Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy announced today in Winnipeg that a
national youth conference will be held in conjunction with Canada's Year of Asia
Pacific to foster greater understanding of Asia Pacific and promote opportunities
for young people interested in this region.
The youth conference, "Asia Connects," will be held from May 4 to 10, 1997, in
Winnipeg, co-hosted by the universities of Winnipeg and Manitoba. The conference
is sponsored by the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, in co-operation with the Students' Commission, a youth training organization with
expertise in high-tech conference delivery.
"Young people are keen to learn more about opportunities in Asia Pacific and want
information on Canada's economic and trade links with the region," said Mr.
Axworthy. "This conference is intended to give youth a window on Asia Pacific
through which to learn new skills, meet other youth from the Asia Pacific region,
and discover future career opportunities."
The national conference will bring together Canadian high school students, Asian
students studying in Canada, and Asian youth from the Philippines and Malaysia
(chairs of APEC 1996 and 1998). Post-secondary students will be invited to apply
as volunteer facilitators for the conference.
Youth outreach programs will be offered to businesses involved in trade with Asia
Pacific. Cross-cultural information will help youth learn about Asia Pacific and
how to do business there. The latest in Internet and multimedia technology will
be available, with on-site training.
Up to 12 conference sites across Canada will be linked by computer and video to
the Winnipeg conference, facilitating dialogue and creating "virtual communities"
across Canada.
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For further information, media representatives may contact:
Catherine Lappe
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs
(613) 995-1851
Media Relations Office
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
(613) 995-1874
This document is also available on the Department's Internet site:
http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca
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