NEWS RELEASES
AXWORTHY TO ATTEND MINISTERIAL MEETING ON HUMAN SECURITY
May 14, 1999 (9:45 a.m. EDT) No. 109
AXWORTHY TO ATTEND MINISTERIAL
MEETING ON HUMAN SECURITY
Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy will attend a ministerial meeting in Bergen, Norway, on May 19-20 to
discuss an international approach to human security. Mr. Axworthy will focus on the development of a shared vision
of human security, and on a common agenda for international action over the coming year. The countries
participating in the meeting are Canada, Norway, Austria, Chile, Ireland, Jordan, the Netherlands, Slovenia, South
Africa, Switzerland, and Thailand.
The ministerial meeting builds on the Lysøen Declaration, a Canada-Norway agreement announced by Mr.
Axworthy and his Norwegian counterpart, Knut Vollebaek, last May. Mr. Vollebaek is also Chairman-in-Office of the
Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe.
"This meeting aims to further promote and encourage the concept of human security," said Mr. Axworthy. "It is
through multilateral partnerships that we can best increase international awareness and encourage the
advancement of the human security agenda."
Mr. Axworthy also released today a concept paper outlining Canada's approach to human security in the
international context. The paper, Human Security: Safety for People in a Changing World, provides a conceptual
foundation for the Bergen discussions and a guide for future initiatives on human security.
"Canada is already working with other countries to develop a concrete international agenda on specific human
security issues such as small arms, landmines and children in armed conflict," said Mr. Axworthy. "The paper further
contributes to the development of a foreign policy that promotes the safety and security of people. It helps us to
continue our work to strengthen existing partnerships while addressing new human security challenges."
In Norway, Minister Axworthy will also meet with Madame Sadako Ogata, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees,
who will attend the opening session as the keynote speaker.
Senior representatives from non-governmental and international organizations have been invited to the conference
and will meet with the ministers. They include: Amnesty International, Save the Children International, International
Committee of the Red Cross, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, International
Campaign to Ban Landmines, International Coalition to Stop the Use of Child Soldiers, International Action Network
on Small Arms.
Countries participating in the ministerial meeting on human security first met to discuss the concept of human
security in New York last September at a lunch organized by Canada, and co-hosted by Mr. Axworthy and Mr.
Vollebaek.
Human Security: Safety for People in a Changing World is available on the Department of Foreign Affairs and
International Trade Web site.
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For further information, media representatives may contact:
Debora Brown
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs
(613) 995-1851
Media Relations Office
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
(613) 995-1874
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