News Releases
April 26, 2000
CANADA TO PARTICIPATE IN FIRST MEETING OF MINISTERS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF WOMEN IN THE AMERICAS
OTTAWA -- The Honourable Hedy Fry, Secretary of State (Multiculturalism) (Status of Women), will head the Canadian delegation participating in the First Meeting of Ministers or of the Highest Ranking Authorities Responsible for the Advancement of Women in the Member States of the Organization of American States (OAS). The meeting will be held April 27-28 in Washington, D.C.
The Ministerial meeting responds to a resolution adopted by the 29th General Assembly of the OAS, held last year. Canada has played an active role in preparations for the meeting, which will look at proposals to advance gender equality concerns at the Third Summit of the Americas. The meeting will also focus on the Draft Inter-American Program on the Promotion of Women's Rights and Gender Equity (IAP). If approved and adopted by member states, the IAP will be an important tool for integrating a gender perspective throughout the OAS.
"Gender equality is a pivotal component of progress on human rights and democratic development, in the hemisphere and around the world," said Dr. Fry. "Canada's participation in this landmark meeting is an important part of our efforts to advance the integration of gender perspectives in the hemisphere, and our preparations for the Third Summit of the Americas, which Canada will host in Quebec City in April 2001."
Accompanying Dr. Fry on the Canadian delegation will be representatives from non-government organizations, Parliamentarians, as well as government officials responsible for gender equality.
While in Washington, Dr. Fry will also speak at a White House Breakfast to launch the YWCA U.S.A.'s Stop Racism Youth Challenge. This program is modeled on the Government of Canada's innovative Action 2000 anti-racism initiative. The Secretary of State was invited to open the U.S. campaign in recognition of the success and effectiveness of Action 2000 as a tool to raise awareness and encourage action among youth to end racial discrimination.
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