It is special because it is Edmonton that has hosted the 20th regular session of the Model Organization of American States [MOAS]. We have set a precedent for such meetings to take place in different countries of our hemisphere.

Esta es la primera sesion del siglo 21.

The University of Alberta and the sponsors have done an excellent job and without President Rod Fraser's support we would simply not be here. Faculty and students made an incredible contribution by setting up the organization for the MOAS. I would like to mention two special people: Professor Juris Lejnieks from the Faculty of Political Science, and Marcie Brulotte from the Office of the President, and ask them to convey our profound appreciation to the rest of their team.

Let us thank the OAS [Organization of American States] in Washington for sharing their vast experience in setting up the MOAS. It is my hope that they will consider repeating this experience outside of Washington. Dr. Nancy Irigoyen's contribution is very much appreciated.

Last but not least, are some amicable and effective foreign affairs officials, led by Abbie Dann, who have supported the project, not only in finding funds which supplemented the sponsors' efforts, but also for making sure that the media both here in Canada and in the hemisphere were aware of the good news of your meetings here.

Thank you all for a job well done!

From all accounts, you have been part of a very exciting MOAS. Participants tell me that "something very unique has been happening in Edmonton at the MOAS."

I know the University of Alberta is excited by the insights and the expectations that you have generated as you debated the various issues facing the Americas.

One of this week's highlights was the El Salvador foreign minister's truly inspiring speech on the development of democracy in El Salvador.

Among many resolutions, I understand that there is one meant to ensure that the young leaders of the Americas will create a forum where major issues confronting the Americas can be discussed. I understand that this resolution will be voted on after the closing ceremony. The idea of channelling the energy and creativity of the youth in the Americas is an excellent concept.

When you return to your respective universities, you will be involved in sharing experiences you have gained here in Edmonton. You will, as individuals, be able to contribute to the development of democracy around you.

As Edmond Burke, the political philosopher, said 250 years ago, "Nobody made a greater mistake than the one who did nothing because he could do only a little." Perhaps you'll relate more closely to this one: "If you think you're too small to be effective, then you've never been in bed with a mosquito."

There are several issues you have discussed here which are also important for the Government of Canada and our human security agenda. We hope to raise them at the General Assembly of the OAS in June in Windsor, Ontario.

Let me mention briefly these issues.

1. Minister de Avila from El Salvador made a forceful plea to continue our efforts through the Inter-American Commission of Women to promote greater inclusion of the majority gender in all endeavours of society. I was able to witness the high rate of approval her plea received from you.

2. You may also consider the increased inclusion of indigenous peoples by protecting and promoting human rights, and by making them participants in our economies. Canada will make recommendations for the strengthening of the Inter-American Indian Institute.

3. Sustainable development will always remain high on Canada's priority list. People need to have jobs. It is only by earning an income that people will be able to secure essential services such as education and health.

4. Our battle with illegal drugs must continue. Canada has contributed to the creation of the Multilateral Evaluation Mechanism [MEM] to measure the performance of member countries in combatting illegal drug production, distribution, consumption and money laundering.

5. On trade and integration, at the March 1998 Trade Minister's Meeting in Costa Rica, Canada was chosen to chair the first 18 months of the Free Trade Area of the Americas [FTAA] negotiations. Canada headed the Trade Negotiations Committee of chief negotiators and hosted the FTAA Ministerial Conference in Toronto in November 1999. The FTAA negotiations, launched officially at the Second Summit of the Americas in Chile in 1998, hold the potential for creating the world's largest free trade area, with 800 million people.

6. On institutional renewal and financial stability, Canada is the second largest contributor, providing 12.36 percent of the OAS Regular Fund. In addition to that contribution, Canada also gives $2 million annually through the Canadian International Development Agency [CIDA] to the OAS Voluntary Fund, which supports social, economic and cultural development activities of the OAS.

Canada has spoken out strongly for fiscal responsibility in OAS budget deliberations. We have also promoted institutional renewal in an effort to make the Organization more relevant, more dynamic and better able to respond to the changing realities of the region. Canada has pressured member states to pay their assessed quotas by proposing various incentives that would benefit member states that pay on time. While these incentives were not all approved by the General Assembly, they demonstrated our resolve to ensure a stable financial base for the Organization.

All of these efforts are going to improve human security in our hemisphere.

My generation is very much encouraged by the energy, the creativity and the commitment you are bringing to the challenges of the 21st century.

About 200 years ago another generation of young people decided to build a new future in the Americas. You will recognize some of their names: Artigas, Bolivar, Hidalgo, Morazan, Morelos, O'Higgins, Petion and San Martin.

These leaders were inspired by earlier generations of leaders such as Lafayette, Miranda and Washington, whose contributions benefited many of us. Neither the OAS nor the MOAS would exist today if such leaders had not shared their vision and challenged our forebears to build a better society.

Often we forget where we come from; we fail to give credit to those who sacrificed personal gains -- even their lives -- to make this a better world for each of us.

For many, democracy is still a work in progress. The threat to democracy does not come from the barrel of a gun so much as it comes from indifference and apathy. You, the next generation of leaders, must be diligent. When courage is called for, be courageous, and remember the meaning of inclusiveness, mutual respect and equality. These have been principles which underscore your deliberations here.

A final plea. When you return to your homes and pursue your own careers, do not always expect instant success, as the foreign minister of El Salvador reminded us yesterday. Sometimes you will face defeat. In those moments, you might remember your experience at the MOAS in Edmonton. You can send an e-mail to one of your new friends and seek their counsel.

In those times you may also pause and think of Abraham Lincoln and the many defeats he faced before becoming President of the United States of America. Or Bolivar, who sought consolation and support in Jamaica and Haiti, far away from his beloved Venezuela.

Perhaps some of you will have your names in the history books of the 21st century. In our midst may be great leaders of the future -- another Mandela, Bolivar, or another leader such as the one who spoke yesterday.

This generation is blessed with an important advantage over leaders of the past. Today you have an extraordinary tool at your disposal: the Internet, which allows you to communicate and share ideas with people all over the world -- all with a simple click of the mouse.

Yet, despite all of the technological and scientific progress since the 19th century, particularly in the last 50 years, it is interesting to note the similarity of some of the challenges ahead of us.

Democracy, peace, justice for all, good government, education and social welfare are not new goals. Securing and maintaining these conditions is an ongoing struggle.

All of these challenges are complex. Today's world is one of increasing interdependence, increasingly porous borders and emerging transnational threats -- none of which can be tackled effectively by one country in isolation. Significant change can only come from working together with like-minded countries, such as those in the hemisphere, to find answers.

In closing, I want to congratulate you for deciding to invest your time, energy and even your savings so that you could participate in this important event.

This week Canada was honoured to host the MOAS. As our Prime Minister has said, Canada is a proud member of the "Gran Familia", and we are excited by opportunities to join with our partners and discuss issues of mutual concern.

This June, Canada will host the General Assembly of the OAS where leaders from the hemisphere, from your home countries, will meet in Windsor and hold discussions similar to yours.

Thank you for having enriched our knowledge about the countries you represented so well. Through your contributions we were given more possible answers to challenges we face as a society.

Thank you.

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Last Updated: 2006-10-30	Top of Page	Important Notices