NEWS RELEASES
GRAHAM TO LEAD CANADIAN DELEGATION TO 32ND UNESCO CONFERENCE
October 1, 2003 (12:30 p.m. EDT) No. 145
GRAHAM TO LEAD CANADIAN DELEGATION TO
32ND UNESCO CONFERENCE
Foreign Affairs Minister Bill Graham today announced that from October 2 to 3, he will lead the Canadian delegation
participating in the 32nd General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
(UNESCO). The Conference will take place in Paris, France, from September 29 to October 17. Its major focus will be on
examining the issue of an international convention on cultural diversity.
"Canada strongly supports the proposal to negotiate a UNESCO convention on the diversity of cultural content and artistic
expression," said Minister Graham. "Such a convention would promote openness to the diverse cultural influences and
products that the world has to offer, while at the same time ensuring that the multiple voices of a country can be heard."
At the General Conference, participants will develop UNESCO programs and activities for the next two years, and adopt a
budget for 2004-2005. Other items that will be discussed include a draft Convention on Intangible Cultural Heritage, an
International Declaration on Human Genetic Data, and a proposal for an International Anti-doping Convention in Sport.
Advanced Education and Training Minister for Manitoba, Diane McGifford, representing the Council of Ministers of
Education of Canada, will speak on behalf of Canadian education authorities at the Education Commission, and will also
attend the ministerial round table on the quality of education.
In Paris, Minister Graham will also address the Canada-France Chamber of Commerce on October 3, where he will
highlight the close cooperation between the two countries in a broad range of areas related to cultural diversity.
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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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