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<title>YOUTH WILL BE HEARD AT LA FRANCOPHONIE SUMMIT IN MONCTON</title>
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<p><font face="Arial"></font><font face="Arial" size="+1"></font><font face="Arial" size="+1">May 10, 1999 <em>(2:20 p.m. EDT)</em> No. 104</font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Arial" size="+1">YOUTH WILL BE HEARD AT LA FRANCOPHONIE SUMMIT IN MONCTON</font><font face="Arial" size="+1"></font></p>
<p>Minister for International Co-operation Minister and Minister responsible for La Francophonie Diane Marleau today expressed her
satisfaction with the active participation of young Canadians in a series of consultations aimed at gathering their main concerns in
preparation for La Francophonie Summit in Moncton, New Brunswick, next September.</p>
<p>"The participation by youth has been very encouraging," said the Minister. "They expressed their determination and their interest in
looking for solutions to concerns of particular importance to young people from around the world."</p>
<p>Throughout the series of consultations, which started in mid-March, participants were mainly concerned with their immediate future.
They expressed concerns over the difficulties inherent in integrating themselves into the workforce and over the utility of their
secondary and post-secondary training in helping them meet this challenge. Young Canadians are also preoccupied with the
environment and with the impact of globalization on the Canadian francophone community, particularly in the provinces where
francophones are a minority.</p>
<p>The young participants discussed other national as well as international matters of direct concern, including education and training,
employment issues, communications and new technologies, democratization and human rights, and international co-operation and
development.</p>
<p>"Young people have expressed their concerns. They represent our future. I sincerely hope that the Moncton Summit will provide
them with appropriate answers to their questions and, eventually, solutions," said Minister Marleau.</p>
<p>The Ottawa consultation, the last in a series of seven, brought together young people who had participated in the previous meetings,
which took place in Edmonton, Saint-Boniface, Sudbury, Chéticamp, Bouctouche and Shawinigan. The consultation sessions were
organized by the Canadian Centre for Foreign Policy Development in co-operation with the Fédération de la jeunesse canadienne-française, an organization representing youth associations in Canada.</p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Arial">- 30 -</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">For further information, media representatives may contact:</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Debora Brown</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">(613) 995-1851</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Chantal Reinert</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Office of the Minister for International Co-operation</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">and Minister responsible for La Francophonie</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">(819) 997-6919</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Media Relations Office</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">(613) 995-1874</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">This document is also available on the Department's Internet site:</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca</font></p>
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