NEWS RELEASES

June 15, 2001 (1:55 p.m. EDT) No. 82

MINISTER BOUDRIA PLEASED WITH COMMITMENT

TO CULTURAL DIVERSITY BY LA FRANCOPHONIE

The Honourable Don Boudria, Minister of State and Leader of the Government in the House of Commons, is pleased, as Head of the Canadian Delegation, with the outcome of the Third Ministerial Conference on Culture of La Francophonie, held in Cotonou, Benin, on June 14 and 15. Minister Boudria is representing Canada on behalf of the Honourable Ron J. Duhamel, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Secretary of State (Western Economic Diversification) (Francophonie).

The Conference concluded with the adoption of a declaration confirming the commitment to cultural diversity of the 51 member states and governments of La Francophonie. An action plan was also produced, setting out La Francophonie's major directions for supporting a rich and varied expression of culture and cultural dialogue in the years ahead. La Francophonie will have the opportunity to deepen this dialogue during the next Summit in Beirut, Lebanon in October 2001.

"Given our history and traditions, defending and promoting cultural diversity are matters of considerable interest to Canadians," stated Minister Boudria. "We see cultural diversity as a positive force that helps improve social cohesion and the participation of citizens in public life. The Cotonou Declaration is the first declaration on cultural diversity to be adopted by an international organization," added the Minister.

As First Vice-Chair of the Ministerial Conference, Minister Boudria said that he was pleased with La Francophonie's support in principle for an international instrument to establish the legitimacy for states and governments of maintaining, establishing and developing policies to support cultural diversity. He stressed that such an instrument should be accompanied by measures to foster greater economic and social development in developing countries.

Minister Boudria also made reference to the IV Games of La Francophonie, to be held in the Ottawa-Hull region from July 14 to 24, which will provide La Francophonie youth with an opportunity to showcase their rich contribution to cultural diversity and the promise they hold for the future of La Francophonie. He indicated that the Games of La Francophonie are the only major games in the world that place equal emphasis on cultural and sporting events.

The Conference brought together delegates from the 51 member states and governments and four observer states of La Francophonie, as well as representatives of the Assemblée parlementaire de la Francophonie and of civil society.

In addition to attending the Conference, Minister Boudria met with the President of Benin, Mathieu Kérékou, as well as the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Co-operation, Antoine Kolawolé Idji, to discuss bilateral relations between Canada and Benin.

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For further information, media representatives may contact:

Mario Tremblay

Office of the Minister of State and Leader of the Government in the House of Commons

(613) 996-9429

http://www.pco-bcp.gc.ca/lgc

Jean-Pierre Morin

Office of the Minister of Veterans Affairs and Secretary of State (Western Economic

Diversification) (Francophonie)

(613) 715-2150

Media Relations Office

Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade

(613) 995-1874

The Cotonou Declaration and Action Plan will be available for future consultation on the Web site of the International Organisation of the Francophonie: http://www.francophonie.org/oif.cfm