NEWS RELEASES
UNICEF EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO VISIT CANADA
December 4, 1996 No. 234
UNICEF EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO VISIT CANADA
Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy and Minister for International Co-operation and Minister Responsible for la Francophonie Don Boudria announced today
that Ms. Carol Bellamy, Executive Director of the United Nations Children's Fund
(UNICEF), will visit Canada from December 4 to 7, 1996.
"UNICEF plays a vital role in protecting the interests of children worldwide and
is a primary vehicle for Canada in meeting our own international commitments to
the rights and welfare of children. Canada has taken concrete measures against
the commercial sexual exploitation of children and child labour, and I am looking
forward to continuing discussions on these and other issues with Ms. Bellamy,"
said Minister Axworthy.
"UNICEF is a key partner in our efforts to meet basic human needs and protect the
rights of children and women in developing countries," Mr Boudria said. "As part
of the overall UN reform process, Ms. Bellamy has shown strong leadership in
promoting changes within UNICEF to maximize the impact of its programs and its
global advocacy for children."
While in Ottawa on December 5 and 6, Ms. Bellamy will meet with Mr. Axworthy, Mr.
Boudria and Minister of Health David Dingwall. She will also appear before the
Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade and meet with
Senator Landon Pearson, Mr. Axworthy's special advisor on children's issues.
On December 7, Ms. Bellamy will deliver a keynote address to the Canadian National
Immunization Conference in Toronto.
Ms. Bellamy became Executive Director of UNICEF in May 1995 following a
distinguished career in law and finance. She is spearheading a comprehensive
restructuring initiative to ensure UNICEF's work for children continues in the
most effective and cost-efficient way possible. These changes are improving
UNICEF's ability to help developing countries reach the goals set at the 1990
World Summit for Children, such as improved health care, education and protection
from neglect, abuse and want.
Canada has been a major financial supporter of UNICEF since it was created in
1946. In 1995-96, it provided almost $60 million to UNICEF for projects to
improve children's access to primary health care, promote education for girls and
deliver emergency relief to child victims of conflict or disaster.
-30-
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
Media Relations Office
Canadian International Development Agency
(819) 953-6534
This document is also available on the Department's Internet site:
http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca
| 
