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<title>CANADA ANNOUNCES $10-MILLION TEACHER-TRAINING PROGRAM IN KOSOVO</title>
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<p><font face="Arial"></font><font face="Arial" size="+1"></font><font face="Arial" size="+1"><strong>September 11, 2000 <em>(5:45 p.m. EDT)</em> No. 222</strong></font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Arial" size="+1"><strong>CANADA ANNOUNCES $10-MILLION TEACHER-TRAINING PROGRAM IN KOSOVO</strong></font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">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.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">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.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">"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."</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">"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." </font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">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.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">"Every penny invested in education means the right investment in Kosovo," said Jeta Dumnica, a youth from
Kosovo attending the Conference.</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 Service </font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade </font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">(613) 995-1874 </font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Robin Walsh</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Office of the Minister for International Co-operation</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">(819) 953-3160</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Media Relations Service </font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA)</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">(819) 953-6534</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Email: <a href="https://bac-lac.wayback.archive-it.org/web/20070221010407/mailto:info@acdi-cida.gc.ca">info@acdi-cida.gc.ca</a></font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Web Site: <a href="https://bac-lac.wayback.archive-it.org/web/20070221010407/http://www.acdi-cida.gc.ca/">http://www.acdi-cida.gc.ca</a> (electronic version of document)</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">This document is also available on the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Web site:
<a href="https://bac-lac.wayback.archive-it.org/web/20070221010407/http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/">http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca</a></font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">The Winnipeg International Conference on War-Affected Children's Web site address is
<a href="https://bac-lac.wayback.archive-it.org/web/20070221010407/http://www.waraffectedchildren.gc./">http://www.waraffectedchildren.gc.ca</a></font></p>
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