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<title>AXWORTHY APPOINTS LIAISON ON CANADIAN CONFERENCE OF CATHOLIC BISHOPS' OFFER TO HOST WORLD YOUTH DAY 2002</title>
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<p><font face="Arial"></font><font face="Arial" size="+1"></font><font face="Arial" size="+1"><strong>March 1, 2000 <em>(12:40 p.m. EST)</em> No. 33</strong></font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Arial" size="+1"> </font><font face="Arial" size="+1"><strong>AXWORTHY APPOINTS LIAISON ON CANADIAN CONFERENCE OF
CATHOLIC BISHOPS' OFFER TO HOST WORLD YOUTH DAY 2002</strong></font><font face="Arial"></font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy today announced the appointment of
Dennis Mills, Member of Parliament for Broadview-Greenwood (Ontario), as
government liaison with the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB). The
CCCB has offered to host World Youth Day in Toronto in 2002. The final decision on
the event's venue will be announced by Pope John Paul II on August 20, at the
conclusion of the 15th World Youth Day, being held this year in Rome.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">"A graduate of Toronto's St. Michael's College, and Member of the Order of St.
Michael's, Mr. Mills will contribute his skills as an effective and well-spoken
parliamentarian to help the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops succeed in
their proposal to host the 2002 World Youth Day in Toronto," said Mr. Axworthy.
"The occasion would bring together youth from Canada and from all regions of the
globe to join in prayers for world peace and reconciliation."</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Mr. Mills was first elected to the House of Commons in 1988. From 1980 to 1984, he
was Senior Policy Advisor to the Cabinet Committee on Communications. </font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Initiated in 1984 by Pope John Paul II, World Youth Day is celebrated every two
years. Approximately two million young people will gather in Rome in August to
celebrate the <em>Jubilee of Youth</em>, theme of this year's World Youth Day. </font></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">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>
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