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NEWS RELEASES

February 5, 1999 (4:30 p.m. EST) No. 21

CANADA ANNOUNCES FIRST PROJECTS FUNDED UNDER CULTURAL INITIATIVES FOR WAR-AFFECTED CHILDREN PROGRAM

Senator Landon Pearson, on behalf of Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy, today announced the first 14 projects selected for funding under the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade's (DFAIT) Cultural Initiatives for War-Affected Children program.

Senator Pearson, Minister Axworthy's special adviser on children's rights, made the announcement at the opening of the exhibition -- Children of the Wind -- which is part of one of the 14 projects, an art therapy project called "Mapping Our World." The projects range from art therapy, to sharing stories and experiences among Indigenous peoples in the Americas, to an intriguing floor game about landmines that can be used by the new Youth Mine Action Ambassadors.

The exhibition, at the McCord Museum in Montreal, presents images and stories by children from across Canada and from other countries, including Bosnia, Ethiopia, Guatemala, Nicaragua, South Africa, Sri Lanka and Uganda about how they see themselves, how war affects their lives, and their hopes for their future. DFAIT's funding will allow work to continue on the art therapy project and will help bring the plight of war-affected children to the attention of Canadians, including through more exhibitions like Children of the Wind.

"The moving stories in this exhibition testify to how war harms children -- body, mind and spirit. At the same time, they also show the children's resilience and their hope to build a better, more peaceful future," said Senator Pearson. "The organizers of this and other such projects are Canada's cultural peacebuilders around the world."

The Cultural Initiatives for War-Affected Children fund was announced last summer by Minister Axworthy. The aim of the fund is to raise awareness about children in armed conflict by promoting cultural activities at the international level.

Funding for this initiative was provided for in the February 1998 federal budget and is therefore built into the existing fiscal framework.

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A list of approved projects is attached.

DFAIT is encouraging Canada's arts and cultural community to submit new applications. The deadlines are May 14 for projects taking place in summer or fall 1999, and October 15 for projects taking place in winter 1999-2000. Potential applicants are invited to call (613) 996-3649 or to consult the DFAIT Internet site (http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/culture/children/menu-e.htm) for descriptions of the selected projects, the program and the project selection criteria.

For further information, media representatives may contact:

Debora Brown

Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs

(613) 995-1851

Annie Daoust

McCord Museum

(514) 398-7100, ex. 251

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

CULTURAL INITIATIVES FOR WAR-AFFECTED CHILDREN

APPROVED PROJECTS