NEWS RELEASES

October 23, 1997 No. 171

MINISTER SHEILA COPPS LEADS

THE CANADIAN DELEGATION AT THE 29TH UNESCO

GENERAL CONFERENCE AND AT MEETINGS

WITH CULTURE MINISTERS

Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy today announced that Minister of Canadian Heritage Sheila Copps is leading the Canadian delegation at the 29th General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in Paris, and holding bilateral meetings with representatives of foreign countries from October 22 to 25. The Conference will develop the programs and activities of the organization for the next two years.

"Canada is a very active member of UNESCO," said Mr. Axworthy. "We are seeking a seat on the Executive Board to promote reform within UNESCO and to share the knowledge and experience that we have gained through participation in many aspects of the organization's work."

The General Conference will elect a portion of its Executive Board and adopt the program and budget for the 1998-99 period.

"The member states must take responsibility and develop partnerships to support UNESCO in its move to promote its mandate," said Minister Copps. "This would allow UNESCO to enhance the cultural aspect in international discussions, including those related to economic globalization."

Nova Scotia Education Minister Robert Harrison will speak on behalf of Canadian education authorities at the Education Commission. Two young Canadians will join the delegation, assisting with preparations for the three round-table special debates devoted to the subject of youth during the General Conference.

During her visit, Minister Copps is meeting with Federico Mayor, Director General of UNESCO, to discuss the role of UNESCO on the eve of the 21st century in the fields of culture, education and human rights. Among other ministers, she is meeting the United Kingdom's Secretary of State for International Development, Clare Short, and the French Minister of Culture and Communication, Catherine Trautmann, to exchange views on the status of culture on the international scene.

Minister Copps will also meet with the Secretary General of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, Don Johnston, to discuss the promotion of content diversity in a global communication environment.

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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