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Fund for Public Policy Research in Guatemala

The Embassy of Canada in Guatemala and the International Centre for Human Rights and Democratic Development (ICHRDD) today announce the creation the Fund for Public Policy Research in Guatemala.

Guatemala City, September 8th, 1998 The Embassy of Canada in Guatemala and the International Centre for Human Rights and Democratic Development (ICHRDD) today announce the creation the Fund for Public Policy Research in Guatemala.

The Peacebuilding Fund of the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) has provided $400,000 for this innovative project managed by the Centre's office in Guatemala City.

The objective of the Fund for Public Policy Research is to strengthen the ability of organizations in civil society to participate in the implementation of the Guatemalan Peace Accords, which were signed in 1996.

The Fund will support the work of civil society organizations in conducting research and develop public policy proposals. It will give priority to research that is related to one of the 18 Commissions established under the terms of the Peace Accords. These Commissions are mandated to develop public policy key issues related to the implementation of the Accords, such as land reform and reforms to Guatemala's political, judicial and education systems.

The 18-month project will be in operation until October 1999. An advisory committee, whose members include Tania Palencia, Emma Chirix, Juan Alberto Fuentes and Miguel Angel Balcarel, has been established to work locally with ICHRDD's Fund Coordinator, David Gairdner. They will consider project submissions bimonthly.

The International Centre for Human Rights and Democratic Development is an independent and non-partisan Canadian institution working with citizens and governments in Canada and around the world to promote human rights and democratic development through dialogue, strategic interventions, advocacy and public education. It focuses its work in 13 key developing countries including Guatemala where it has supported programmes since 1990.