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<title>CANADA CONTRIBUTES TO INTERNATIONAL FUND FOR IRELAND</title>
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<p><font size="+1"></font><font size="+1"><strong>April 29, 2002 <em>(3:15 p.m. EDT)</em> No. 40</strong></font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font size="+1"><strong>CANADA CONTRIBUTES TO INTERNATIONAL FUND FOR IRELAND</strong></font></p>
<p>Minister of Foreign Affairs Bill Graham today remitted Canada's contribution of $333,334 to the International Fund for
Ireland (IFI), in support of peacebuilding efforts in Ireland. This is the third instalment of a $1-million, three-year
contribution to the Fund, announced in June 1999.</p>
<p>Minister Graham presented the cheque to IFI Chair William McCarter, who is in Ottawa to meet with the Minister and
senior government officials.</p>
<p>"Canada has been a strong supporter of efforts to obtain lasting peace in Ireland. The International Fund for Ireland is
considered to be a key element in the peace process, promoting inter-community links and dialogue throughout Ireland,"
said Minister Graham.</p>
<p>The IFI was established by the British and Irish governments in 1986 to promote economic and social advancement and to
encourage contact, dialogue and reconciliation between nationalists and unionists throughout Ireland. The IFI focuses on
economic and social development in both Ireland and Northern Ireland, with an emphasis on local business initiatives,
training, and initiatives for disadvantaged communities and youth.</p>
<p>The IFI's Wider Horizons program exposes disadvantaged youth from high unemployment areas to positive outside
influences, through training periods abroad. Many have gone to school or worked in Canada, returning to Ireland where
their employment rate is well over 90 percent.</p>
<p>Canada has contributed over $5 million to the Fund since it was established. The IFI is also supported by Australia, New
Zealand, the United States and the European Union.</p>
<p>Funding for this initiative was provided for in the 2001 federal budget and is therefore built into the existing fiscal
framework.</p>
<p align="CENTER">- 30 -</p>
<p>For further information, media representatives may contact:</p>
<p>Media Relations Office</p>
<p>Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade</p>
<p>(613) 995-1874</p>
<p><a href="https://bac-lac.wayback.archive-it.org/web/20070221121025/http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/">http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca</a></p>
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