CANADA TO SUPPORT PEACEBUILDING PROJECTS IN AFRICA
June 9, 1998 No. 153
CANADA TO SUPPORT PEACEBUILDING PROJECTS
IN AFRICA
Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy and Minister for International
Cooperation and Minister responsible for La Francophonie Diane Marleau today
announced that Canada will support four peacebuilding projects in Africa.
Mr. Axworthy made the announcement in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, where he is
attending the Summit of the Organization of African Unity.
"I am especially pleased, on my first trip to Africa, to be able to announce
Canada's contribution to these projects," said Mr. Axworthy. "Canada recognizes
the resolve of Africans to meet the challenges to peace and stability faced by
the continent. Peacebuilding projects, such as these, offer an opportunity to
reinforce this commitment and support the peace process from the ground up by
strengthening relationships and enhancing links between communities. This can
lead to real and sustainable human security in Africa."
"Without peace, there can be no development, in Africa or elsewhere," said Madame
Marleau. "Canada's support for these initiatives will help African societies
build a solid base for peace. With our help, communities can begin to heal the
wounds that conflict has caused, and work to revive economic and social
development on the continent."
Canada will contribute up to $1 175 000 to the following projects:
Mali (West Africa): Canada is contributing to the United Nations Development
Program in support of Mali's successful efforts to promote a moratorium on small
arms in West Africa. The project will include lobbying governments in West Africa
to adopt the moratorium, co-ordinating the efforts of member states and providing
technical assistance in matters of peace, security and disarmament. The
initiative will also promote awareness and advocacy through local-language media
programming aimed at encouraging former combatants to give up their weapons. The
program is expected to result in a reduction in the number of small arms flowing
through West Africa and an increased awareness of human security, as well as
contribute to an environment more conducive to development. Canada's funding for
this project is $400 000.
Burundi: The Canadian Centre for International Studies and
Co-operation is offering customized training sessions on conflict resolution and
prevention techniques at the community level for civil society organizations,
including church, women's and human rights groups. This project allows civil
society organizations with a demonstrated interest in peace to be trained in
conflict resolution techniques. Canada's contribution to this project is
$125 000.
Somalia: Canada will support a study and analysis by the United Nations Research
Institute for Social Development on the challenges of rebuilding a war-torn
society. This project provides a forum for neutral and democratic discussion to
build bridges between communities formerly in conflict with one another. It also
builds on the local capacity to analyze and find solutions to their own
peacebuilding problems. Canada's contribution totals $150 000.
Rwanda: The Canadian Institute for Conflict Resolution (CICR) will implement a
"train-the-trainer" program modelled on the success of its 1997 pilot project.
This time, CICR will develop a cadre of civilian Rwandan conflict resolution
trainers and a large number of practising civilian mediators and facilitators
that cuts across all social strata. Initial training will take place in Rwanda
with follow-up through the CICR's regular training program in Ottawa. The program
will lead to an increased number of Rwandans who know and practise effective
conflict resolution techniques. It will also empower civil society to resolve its
own community conflicts peacefully. The CICR will receive up to $500 000 from
Canada to implement this program.
Funding for these projects will be made through the Peacebuilding Fund, managed
by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA). The two-year $20 million
Fund is designed as a rapid response mechanism to support urgent peace
initiatives including peace accords, strengthening of locally generated
peacebuilding initiatives, as well as enhancing governance and civil society. The
Fund is a vital element of the Canadian Peacebuilding Initiative launched in
October 1996 as a joint initiative of CIDA and the Department of Foreign Affairs
and International Trade.
Funding for the projects announced today was provided for in the February 1998
federal budget and is therefore built into the existing fiscal framework.
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For further information, media representatives may contact:
Debora Brown
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs
(613) 995-1851
André Doren
Office of the Minister for International Cooperation and
Minister responsible for La Francophonie
(819) 997-6919
Media Relations Office
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
(613) 995-1874
Media Relations Office
Canadian International Development Agency
(819) 953-6534
This document is also available on the Department of Foreign Affairs and
International Trade's Internet site: http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca