June 9, 1998 No. 153

CANADA TO SUPPORT PEACEBUILDING PROJECTS

IN AFRICA

Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy and Minister for International Cooperation and Minister responsible for La Francophonie Diane Marleau today announced that Canada will support four peacebuilding projects in Africa. Mr. Axworthy made the announcement in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, where he is attending the Summit of the Organization of African Unity.

"I am especially pleased, on my first trip to Africa, to be able to announce Canada's contribution to these projects," said Mr. Axworthy. "Canada recognizes the resolve of Africans to meet the challenges to peace and stability faced by the continent. Peacebuilding projects, such as these, offer an opportunity to reinforce this commitment and support the peace process from the ground up by strengthening relationships and enhancing links between communities. This can lead to real and sustainable human security in Africa."

"Without peace, there can be no development, in Africa or elsewhere," said Madame Marleau. "Canada's support for these initiatives will help African societies build a solid base for peace. With our help, communities can begin to heal the wounds that conflict has caused, and work to revive economic and social development on the continent."

Canada will contribute up to $1 175 000 to the following projects:

Mali (West Africa): Canada is contributing to the United Nations Development Program in support of Mali's successful efforts to promote a moratorium on small arms in West Africa. The project will include lobbying governments in West Africa to adopt the moratorium, co-ordinating the efforts of member states and providing technical assistance in matters of peace, security and disarmament. The initiative will also promote awareness and advocacy through local-language media programming aimed at encouraging former combatants to give up their weapons. The program is expected to result in a reduction in the number of small arms flowing through West Africa and an increased awareness of human security, as well as contribute to an environment more conducive to development. Canada's funding for this project is $400 000.

Burundi: The Canadian Centre for International Studies and

Co-operation is offering customized training sessions on conflict resolution and prevention techniques at the community level for civil society organizations, including church, women's and human rights groups. This project allows civil society organizations with a demonstrated interest in peace to be trained in conflict resolution techniques. Canada's contribution to this project is $125 000.

Somalia: Canada will support a study and analysis by the United Nations Research Institute for Social Development on the challenges of rebuilding a war-torn society. This project provides a forum for neutral and democratic discussion to build bridges between communities formerly in conflict with one another. It also builds on the local capacity to analyze and find solutions to their own peacebuilding problems. Canada's contribution totals $150 000.

Rwanda: The Canadian Institute for Conflict Resolution (CICR) will implement a "train-the-trainer" program modelled on the success of its 1997 pilot project. This time, CICR will develop a cadre of civilian Rwandan conflict resolution trainers and a large number of practising civilian mediators and facilitators that cuts across all social strata. Initial training will take place in Rwanda with follow-up through the CICR's regular training program in Ottawa. The program will lead to an increased number of Rwandans who know and practise effective conflict resolution techniques. It will also empower civil society to resolve its own community conflicts peacefully. The CICR will receive up to $500 000 from Canada to implement this program.

Funding for these projects will be made through the Peacebuilding Fund, managed by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA). The two-year $20 million Fund is designed as a rapid response mechanism to support urgent peace initiatives including peace accords, strengthening of locally generated peacebuilding initiatives, as well as enhancing governance and civil society. The Fund is a vital element of the Canadian Peacebuilding Initiative launched in October 1996 as a joint initiative of CIDA and the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade.

Funding for the projects announced today was provided for in the February 1998 federal budget and is therefore built into the existing fiscal framework.

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For further information, media representatives may contact:

Debora Brown

Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs

(613) 995-1851

André Doren

Office of the Minister for International Cooperation and

Minister responsible for La Francophonie

(819) 997-6919

Media Relations Office

Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade

(613) 995-1874

Media Relations Office

Canadian International Development Agency

(819) 953-6534

This document is also available on the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade's Internet site: http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca