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NOTES FOR AN ADDRESS BY THE HONOURABLE DENIS PARADIS, SECRETARY OF STATE (LATIN AMERICA AND AFRICA) (FRANCOPHONIE) ON CANADA-AFRICA RELATIONS: A NEW PARTNERSHIP

MONTREAL, Quebec

May 4, 2002

We have all gathered here in Montreal today because we share a common goal: to ensure that Africa takes its social, economic and political place in today's global arena, and takes its due place in the world's future. Later you will be hearing a progress report on the G8 Africa Action Plan from my colleague Ambassador Robert Fowler, therefore I propose to speak more generally on Canada's relations with Africa and the actions we have been taking to address the continent's challenges.

Last month, I was honoured to accompany Prime Minister Jean Chrétien on his nine-day, six-country visit to Africa. We travelled to Morocco, Algeria, Nigeria, South Africa, Ethiopia and Senegal, with a short stop in Egypt. During the trip with we were able to consult with 14 African leaders on the G8 Africa Action Plan. As well, we were able to see first-hand what ordinary Africans experience every day.

You know, we all too easily talk about "countries" and "governments" when referring to Africa, its problems and its future. But anyone who visits the continent is forcefully reminded that it is the ordinary people of Africa--the men, women and children--who bear the brunt of the problems. They stand to suffer more if problems are allowed to worsen. They stand to benefit if we adopt and implement effectively the new partnership that is the theme of NEPAD [New Partnership for Africa's Development] and this conference.

At every stop on the trip, in addition to all the official events and the dialogue among political leaders, we had an opportunity to visit Africans at a number of projects supported by Canada. We saw, of course, the immense challenges facing Africans, but we also saw the good that Canadian assistance can accomplish. Let's take a look at a few examples:

• In Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, we visited one of the poorest areas of the city. Here, many families suffer from a lack of basic services, such as clean water and sewage treatment, with obvious effects on their health. A project funded by Canada now provides these families with a sustainable supply of drinking water and sanitation facilities. You may have seen on television or in the newspapers children with Canadian flags as they greeted the Prime Minister. Many mothers told him how their lives, and the lives of their children, will be improved by the project. Just think of the energy and the time now saved from having to walk several kilometres every day to fetch water. Children can now devote their time and energy to studying in school.

• In Ethiopia, we also visited an education project where more than a thousand truckers come and learn what HIV and AIDS are all about, and what they can do to protect themselves.

• In Bamishi, near Abuja in Nigeria, we visited an immunization project. Bamishi is a small village of about 550 people, with mud buildings, some trees and a makeshift football field. Village children now receive polio vaccinations through Nigeria’s national Immunization program. This is supported by a Canadian contribution through the World Health Organization.

• In Dakar, Senegal, I inaugurated the opening of a computer assembly facility established in partnership with the Canadian private sector. This project, will, without a doubt, stimulate the expanded use of information and communication technologies in Senegal--a welcome development on a continent that is struggling to bridge the digital divide and catch up with the rapidly accelerating technological advances of recent years.

Of course, these projects represent only a small part of Canada's assistance to Africa, but they are representative of Canada's presence on the continent.

Here is proof that even relatively modest assistance enables people to tackle problems that, like the lack of clean water, the onslaught of AIDS and other perilous illnesses, are a menace to human life and pose a fundamental obstacle to development.

However, development assistance and debt relief, as important as they are, cannot by themselves solve every development problem.

Africa needs investment

In the New Partnership for Africa's Development, African leaders have acknowledged that progress will not be sustainable, or even possible, without countries run by democratic regimes capable of guaranteeing the protection of human rights and the resolution of armed conflicts. They have recognized that good governance is a prerequisite, and indispensable condition, to development.

In short, the African approach builds on three fundamental principles: democracy, good governance and respect for human rights.

During our trip through Africa, I was proud to witness the leadership of our Prime Minister. He has maintained a high profile for Africa during a tumultuous and difficult year in international relations; especially a year when, after the events of September 11, security was, and still is, a major focus.

However, this interest is not new for Canada. Through our development and humanitarian assistance programs, and our close Commonwealth and Francophonie ties, we have been deeply involved in Africa for more than 40 years. Consider the following examples:

• South Africa has served as an example to all countries by the manner in which it has emerged from apartheid. The democratic and transparent process of creating a new constitution, reflecting the aspirations of all South Africans, was made possible with considerable Canadian assistance. This experience is a model now for other countries wishing to adopt democratic constitutions.

• Canada continues to provide support for various election activities in many countries. The most notable recent example was the participation of Canadian observers on the Commonwealth Observer Mission in Zimbabwe. The Mission's report--itself part of a process developed by Canada and others at the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in Australia--led to the suspension of Zimbabwe from the Commonwealth for one year.

• And if I may, I would also like to speak as Minister Responsible for La Francophonie. Let’s think for a moment about Canada’s role in the international Francophonie. Let's not forget all the efforts made in Bamako by the members of La Francophonie who have promised to consolidate the State of Law principles and the democratic processes, respect for human rights and sound public governance.

Once again, let me underline that these are the basic building blocks for development: democracy, respect for human rights, and good governance. Keep in mind that 29 of the 53 African countries are members of La Francophonie, and that within the next three years, 52 percent of the world's Francophones will live on the African continent.

On the international front, Canada strives to increase the United Nations’ capacity for rapid deployment of peacekeeping forces. Each year, Canada funds peacekeeping training, both in Africa and in Canada. Canadian armed forces personnel have taken part in peacekeeping missions in the Congo, Sierra Leone, Ethiopia and Eritrea.

Africa is the continent most affected by anti-personnel mines. African countries were among the first and strongest supporters of the Ottawa Convention on anti-personnel mines. To date, the Convention has been ratified by 39 of 53 African countries and signed by an additional seven countries. Canada co-sponsored a pan-African seminar on landmines in Bamako, Mali, last year and a regional seminar on landmines in Tunisia in January 2002.

Armed conflicts are devastating for Africa

It is estimated that there are more than 100 million small arms and light weapons currently in circulation in Africa. The small arms trade is often inextricably tied to the illegal exploitation of natural resources and the drug trade. Canada, along with a number of African and European countries, co-sponsored and hosted a conference on the implementation of the UN Programme of Action on Small Arms in Africa, in March in Pretoria, South Africa.

A few words now on what we call the conflict diamond issue, the illegal trade in rough diamonds by African rebel movements that has fuelled civil conflict in Sierra Leone, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Angola. Canada has been a leading participant in the Kimberley Process, designed to address the conflict diamond issue. The Kimberley Process has brought together diamond-producing, importing and exporting countries, the diamond industry and civil society in order to develop effective approaches.

Another major concern is the issue of child protection. Canada is actively engaged in promoting the rights of children in Africa and around the world, including children in need of special protection, such as child labourers and war-affected children. In April 2000, Canada co-hosted with Ghana the Conference on War-Affected Children in West Africa, which helped establish a child protection unit in the Economic Community of West African States. Canada is working to ensure that commitments to war-affected children and child labourers are part of the priorities set at the UN Special Session on Children, being held from May 8 to 10 in New York.

Now, coming back to NEPAD. With the launch of a new round of global trade negotiations in Doha, Qatar, in November 2001, World Trade Organization members committed themselves to address the interests and concerns of developing countries and reinforce their capacity to negotiate in the global economy.

As the Prime Minister has said, it also follows that for Africa to truly prosper, we must open our markets and commit ourselves to work toward access for all products originating in least developed countries.

Achieving progress in good governance, democracy and human rights, and investing in education and health, while at the same time bridging the digital divide between industrialized and developing countries are among the most serious challenges for both the people and economies of Africa.

To address these challenges, and to inform Canadians about the new partnership and advocate why it is now time to focus on Africa, in the near future I will launch a cross-Canada tour that will include the participation of more than 40 members of Parliament.

Canada's commitment goes well beyond words. In establishing a special $500-million fund for Africa, Canada has confirmed its pledge to take action.

I would like to conclude that it is the role of all of civil society, and the role of every government in the world, to tackle the formidable challenges of the African continent.

And this strategic alliance is exactly what we will need to ensure success in implementing this New Partnership for Africa's Development.

There is a new spirit of optimism in Africa. Long live this new partnership; long live all of its supporters, and may the Canadian values of compassion, generosity and sharing inspire the G8 countries in their response to this New Partnership for Africa's Development.

Thank you.