Address by Minister Dion at the UN General Assembly for the closing session of the High-Level Panel on Inclusion and Diversity

September 21, 2016 - New York City, New York

Check against delivery. This speech has been translated in accordance with the Government of Canada’s official languages policy and edited for posting and distribution in accordance with its communications policy.

Together, going forward, we must build the narrative that diversity is strength.

We must move beyond the idea that inclusion is a moral imperative—which I and Prime Minister Trudeau believe it is—to make the case that inclusion makes sense in many practical ways, locally and globally.

I firmly believe that inclusion is part of the solution to the many problems we are discussing this week at the UN in New York.

To close this session, I would like to announce funding for three new international projects that are part of Canada’s international efforts to advance inclusion and respect for diversity.

First, Canada will be supporting the Lifeline Project, which helps protect human rights defenders when they are threatened. We must stand with those who push for inclusion even when they are under the threat of death.

Second, Canada will partner with UNESCO and the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum to improve education about genocide. Learning about the Holocaust is not just about fighting anti-Semitism, but also about saying “never again” to the consequences that come from xenophobia and hate.

Finally, Canada is sponsoring a reconciliation effort by Equitas International Centre for Human Rights Education in Sri Lanka, where communities are still trying to recover after the civil war. We will help bring together people of different faiths to prevent inter-religious conflict.

These are just a few examples of Canada’s commitment to inclusion. They are not enough. Canada will try to be a champion of inclusion at home and abroad. And we are looking for partners.

Help us to demonstrate that as leaders of communities, countries, companies, we can embrace diversity.

Diversity is a fact. Inclusion is a choice. Choose inclusion and declare to the world that diversity is strength.

Contacts

Chantal Gagnon
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs
343-203-1851
chantal.gagnon@international.gc.ca

Media Relations Office
Global Affairs Canada
343-203-7700
media@international.gc.ca
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