CANADA ANNOUNCES $10-MILLION TEACHER-TRAINING PROGRAM IN KOSOVO
September 11, 2000 (5:45 p.m. EDT) No. 222
CANADA ANNOUNCES $10-MILLION TEACHER-TRAINING PROGRAM IN KOSOVO
Minister for International Co-operation Maria Minna and Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy today
announced a $10-million project to train Kosovo teachers, with a special emphasis on peacebuilding. The
announcement was made by Minister Minna at the International Conference on War-Affected Children, which is
being held in Winnipeg from September 10 to 17.
The contribution from the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) will be used over two years to
help strengthen the education system in Kosovo. It is part of CIDA's focus on the social dimensions of
peacebuilding and in response to priority needs identified in the region.
"A strong education system -- led by teachers with specialized training in peacebuilding -- is critical to the
education of Kosovo," Minister Minna said. "The children and youth in the region have lived through a very
traumatic experience. We have to make sure their education system -- starting with their teachers -- meets their
special needs."
"Through its peacebuilding program and human security initiatives Canada is working with NGOs and local
populations in Kosovo to reintegrate children affected by armed conflict," said Minister Axworthy. "These
projects are aimed at improving the delivery of health and education services in Kosovo regardless of ethnicity,
gender or religion. They are advancing efforts to promote peaceful coexistence and reconciliation."
The teacher-training program will emphasize a child-centred approach and will be designed to contain modules
on ethnic tolerance, human rights and democracy. It will benefit Kosovo's 23 000 primary and secondary
teachers, of whom almost 80 percent do not have training.
"Every penny invested in education means the right investment in Kosovo," said Jeta Dumnica, a youth from
Kosovo attending the Conference.
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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 Service
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
(613) 995-1874
Robin Walsh
Office of the Minister for International Co-operation
(819) 953-3160
Media Relations Service
Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA)
(819) 953-6534
Email: info@acdi-cida.gc.ca
Web Site: http://www.acdi-cida.gc.ca (electronic version of document)
This document is also available on the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Web site:
http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca
The Winnipeg International Conference on War-Affected Children's Web site address is
http://www.waraffectedchildren.gc.ca