May 10, 1999 (2:20 p.m. EDT) No. 104

YOUTH WILL BE HEARD AT LA FRANCOPHONIE SUMMIT IN MONCTON

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.

"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."

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.

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.

"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.

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.

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For further information, media representatives may contact:

Debora Brown

Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs

(613) 995-1851

Chantal Reinert

Office of the Minister for International Co-operation

and Minister responsible for La Francophonie

(819) 997-6919

Media Relations Office

Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade

(613) 995-1874

This document is also available on the Department's Internet site:

http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca