NEWS RELEASES
GRAHAM TO PARTICIPATE IN ANNUAL HUMAN SECURITY NETWORK MEETING
May 6, 2003 (4:35 p.m. EDT) No. 51
GRAHAM TO PARTICIPATE IN ANNUAL HUMAN SECURITY NETWORK MEETING
Foreign Affairs Minister Bill Graham today announced that he will participate in the upcoming Fifth Annual Human
Security Network (HSN) Ministerial Meeting taking place in Graz, Austria, from May 8 to 10, 2003.
"The Network is an extraordinary example of how like-minded countries around the world can collaborate with academics
and NGOs to make progress on dimensions of security touching the lives of millions of people," said Mr. Graham. "I look
forward to working with our international partners on issues such as human rights, children affected by armed conflict, and
small arms and light weapons, areas in which Canada has a solid international reputation."
In Graz, HSN participants will also discuss anti-personnel mines, the report of the International Commission on
Intervention and State Sovereignty (The Responsibility to Protect), and other issues pertaining to human security.
The Human Security Network is a group of 13 countries dedicated to promoting dialogue and action on security issues
bearing on the lives of individuals. Emerging out of the anti-personnel landmines campaign, the Network was launched by
Canada and Norway at a bilateral ministerial meeting in 1999. Conferences at the foreign ministers level have since been
held in Bergen, Norway (1999), Lucerne, Switzerland (2000), Petra, Jordan (2001), and Santiago, Chile (2002).
The Human Security Network promotes policies focusing on the protection and security requirements of the individual and
society. Its strong links to civil society and academia enable the Network to play a catalytic role in focusing international
attention on new and emerging issues. By applying a human security perspective to international problems, the Network
aims to energize political processes aimed at preventing or solving conflicts and promoting peace and development.
Network members are Austria, Canada, Chile, Greece, Ireland, Jordan, Mali, the Netherlands, Norway, Slovenia,
Switzerland, Thailand and South Africa (as an observer). Austria will cede chairmanship of the Network to Mali at this
year's meeting.
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For further information, media representatives may contact:
Isabelle Savard
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
http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca
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