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<title>CANADA TO ESTABLISH FUND FOR PILOT CULTURAL PROJECTS TO HELP CHILDREN IN ARMED CONFLICT</title>
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<p><font face="Courier"></font><font face="Univers" size="+2">July 24, 1998 No. 179</font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Univers" size="+2">CANADA TO ESTABLISH FUND FOR PILOT CULTURAL PROJECTS
TO HELP CHILDREN IN ARMED CONFLICT</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy today announced that Canada will
establish a fund to raise awareness of childrens' rights in situations of armed
conflict. This new fund is available for projects that establish international
partnerships with the music, arts and entertainment industries and the media. </font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">"This initiative is one small step, but one that can make a difference in the
lives of children affected by conflict in their societies," said Mr. Axworthy.
"Projects in the arts can give powerful expression to the experience of children
in war and prove an effective instrument for change."</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">This announcement coincides with the "Symposium on The Artist and Human Rights"
being held in Ottawa from July 23 to 25. The Department of Foreign Affairs and
International Trade (DFAIT) is one of the co-hosts of the Symposium, which is
exploring how artists around the world give voice to the voiceless.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">When the United Nations Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict,
Olara A. Otunnu, visited Ottawa last April, </font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Mr. Axworthy pledged that Canada would support Mr. Otunnu's role as an advocate
for raising awareness of children in armed conflict by promoting cultural
activities at the international level.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">The Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade contribution is $200
000. Minister Axworthy will continue to seek partnerships with government
departments, cultural agencies and non-governmental organizations by providing
networking and information-sharing opportunities in cultural activities around
this issue.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Canadian individuals and Canadian arts organizations and agencies are eligible to
submit pilot project proposals, as are Canadian non-governmental organizations,
universities, colleges, elementary and secondary schools, and other civil society
groups.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Organizations are encouraged to establish partnerships with the private sector
and/or government departments wherever possible.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">The criteria to submit pilot project proposals are available on the Department's
Internet site:http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/culture/children/menu-e.htm or by
contacting the DFAIT Arts and Cultural Industries Promotion Division at (613)
992-1557.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Funding for this initiative was provided for in the February 1998 federal budget
and is therefore built into the existing fiscal framework.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">- 30 -</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">For further information, media representatives may contact:</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Debora Brown</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">(613) 995-1851</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Media Relations Office</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">(613) 995-1874</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">This document is also available on the Department's Internet site:
http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca</font></p>
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