NEWS RELEASES
CANADA GAINS SEAT ON UNESCO EXECUTIVE BOARD
November 7, 1997 No. 183
CANADA GAINS SEAT ON UNESCO EXECUTIVE BOARD
Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy and Canadian Heritage Minister Sheila
Copps today welcomed Canada's election to the Executive Board of the United
Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) at the 29th
General Conference in Paris.
"Canada submitted its candidacy for a seat on the Executive Board to promote
UNESCO reform and modernization," said Mr. Axworthy. "Canada's election to the
Executive Board will allow us to pursue those objectives in consultation with
Canadian organizations involved in education, science and culture."
"I believe Canada's election to the Executive Board will enable us to support the
mission and work of UNESCO as we prepare for the new realities that are emerging
as we approach the dawn of the 21st century," said Ms. Copps. "Only by working
together and creating strategic alliances can we begin to find solutions to the
issues common to all."
On November 4, member-states filled 26 of the 58 seats on the UNESCO Executive
Board, which examines implementation of programs adopted by the General
Conference, the supreme decision-making body. The newly elected members will join
32 other states elected to the Board at the 28th Session in 1995. Executive Board
members serve for four years and meet twice a year.
The Executive Board members will have to choose a successor to the Director-General, whose final term expires at the 1999 General Conference. Canada last sat
on the Executive Board from 1989 to 1993.
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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
Len Westerberg
Media Relations Office
Canadian Heritage
(819) 994-5589
This document is also available on the Department of Foreign Affairs and
International Trade's Internet site: http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca
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