NEWS RELEASES
AXWORTHY ANNOUNCES SUPPORT FOR YOUTH IN THE AMERICAS
June 4, 2000 (2:30 p.m. EDT) No. 133
AXWORTHY ANNOUNCES SUPPORT FOR YOUTH IN THE AMERICAS
Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy today announced $1.2 million in funding for youth projects in the
Americas. The projects include an initiative to connect street children through the Internet, a "virtual
clearinghouse" for information on substance abuse, youth internship projects, and a sustainable forestry
partnership between Canada and Mexico. The announcement was made at the Organization of American
States (OAS) General Assembly in Windsor, Ontario, while the Minister toured the Americas Showcase, where
several of these projects are being showcased.
"The future of our hemisphere depends on the next generation. We must engage and empower our youth in
order to build a more secure and prosperous hemisphere," said Mr. Axworthy. "Life is difficult for youth,
especially those on the street. These projects will help disadvantaged youth to overcome their problems, while
providing an opportunity for young people to connect with each other."
Canada will contribute $280 000 to provide street kids with tools for empowerment, informal education and
income generation through training and Internet resources. Through telecentres which street kids frequent,
young people will be able to exchange knowledge and experiences in order to help solve their problems. The
project is being piloted in Ecuador and Colombia, however the aim is to expand the network throughout Latin
America and the Caribbean. Funding is being provided by the Department of Foreign Affairs and International
Trade (DFAIT) and the International Development Research Centre (IDRC).
Canada is also providing $250 000 in funding for a pilot project by the Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse to
create a virtual clearinghouse on the Internet to exchange information and experiences on the problem of drug
abuse, in particular for young people, who are the most at risk. This funding will broaden participation to include
several organizations in the Western Hemisphere. This first Web conference, which is taking place from May 29
to June 5 and coinciding with the OAS General Assembly, brings together experts from Argentina, Barbados,
Canada, Chile, Colombia, Jamaica, New Zealand, Peru and the United States to discuss youth at risk and drug
abuse.
As part of its Youth International Internship Program, DFAIT this year is dedicating $675 000 in funding for
seven projects that will take place entirely in the Americas. The projects provide 45 internships to help
Canadian youth gain international experience, develop a greater understanding of important hemispheric
issues and Latin American and Caribbean cultures, and apply Canadian expertise in trade and social issues.
Canadian partners in this initiative include the Canadian Foundation for the Americas, Centre Bolivar de
Montréal, Corporation Idéaux Travail, Educ-Inter Inc., the Hispanic Development Council, the Canadian Centre
on Minority Affairs, and the Canadian Association for Community Living.
Canada and Mexico are partnering in a project to educate children about sustainable forestry and the habitat
needs of the Monarch butterfly. This joint project between the Manitoba Model Forest and the Monarch Butterfly
Model Forest in Mexico includes three components: an interpretive centre at the Monarch butterfly sanctuary in
Michoacan, Mexico; an Internet exchange among a First Nation school in the Manitoba Model Forest, a school
in Winnipeg and a school near the Monarch butterfly reserves in Mexico; and a demonstration of the project at
the OAS General Assembly. DFAIT is contributing $50 000 toward this initiative.
During the OAS General Assembly, three youth representatives will present Mr. Axworthy with the Declaration
of Young Inter-American Leaders written by participants at the Model OAS General Assembly, which took place
in Edmonton from March 27 to 31.
The OAS is the premier political forum for multilateral dialogue and decision making in the Americas. Foreign
ministers from 34 OAS member states are meeting in Windsor from June 4 to 6 to discuss the progress of
democracy, the observance of human rights and other issues of importance to the hemisphere.
Funding for these initiatives was provided for in the February1999 budget and is therefore built into the existing
fiscal framework.
Additional information on youth internship opportunities is available on the DFAIT Web site at http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/interns.
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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
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