April 16, 2008 (6:15 p.m. EDT) CANADA ANNOUNCES IMPORTANT CONTRIBUTIONS TO STRENGTHEN PEACEKEEPING IN AFRICA The Honourable Maxime Bernier, Minister of Foreign Affairs, announced today that Canada will contribute $10.3 million over three years to projects aimed at building peacekeeping capacity in Africa. Canada’s Pearson Peacekeeping Centre will implement the initiatives. “Peace and security is at the heart of good governance, poverty reduction and economic development. That is why contributing to peace and security in Africa is an important priority for Canada,” said Minister Bernier. “Canada will continue to work with the African Union and other regional organizations to help build institutional and peace-support capacity. In this spirit, I am pleased to announce a further contribution of $10.3 million over three years to the Pearson Peacekeeping Centre. These funds will go to strengthening the peacekeeping capacity of African civilian police and build African countries’ capacity to train police, civilians and military for peace operations.” A $7.9-million contribution will go to projects aimed at strengthening the capacity of targeted African countries to contribute more effectively to the civilian police component of peace operations with the United Nations and the African Union. This includes training for African police officers deploying to the African Union-UN hybrid mission in Darfur. Another $2.4 million will help increase the number and improve the skills of African personnel in peace missions. These funds will strengthen institutional capacity and coordination among selected African peacekeeping training centres of excellence. Detailed questions on these projects should be referred to the Pearson Peacekeeping Centre. For more information on Canada’s peacekeeping capacity-building projects, please consult the following websites: Canada and Peace Operations: www.international.gc.ca/peacekeeping/menu-en.asp Canada’s Stabilization and Reconstruction Task Force: Global Peace and Security Fund (GPSF): www.international.gc.ca/fac/START-GTSR/gpsf-fpsm.aspx For more details on the Pearson Peacekeeping Centre, please visit: - 30 - For further information, media representatives may contact: Foreign Affairs Media Relations Office |