Minister Bibeau to participate in conference to protect children from war
News Release
February 20, 2017 - Ottawa, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada
The Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of International Development and La Francophonie, today announced that she will travel to Paris, France, on February 21, 2017, to attend the Conférence Protégeons les enfants de la guerre (conference to protect children from war).
Co-hosted by the Government of France and UNICEF, the conference will commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Paris Commitments and the Paris Principles on children associated with armed forces or armed groups. Together, the commitments and the principles seek to protect children by preventing their recruitment by armed forces or armed groups and helping them to reintegrate into civilian life. The conference will bring together close to 80 countries and 30 international, regional and civil society organizations. Participants will review progress made toward supporting children in armed conflict, assess the current situation and challenges, and elaborate next steps for collaborative action.
During the conference, Minister Bibeau will outline concrete actions taken by Canada to protect and address the needs of children affected by armed conflict.
Quotes
“The place for children to thrive in life is in the classroom, not on the battlefield. Canada is committed to the promotion and protection of children’s rights, especially in situations of armed conflict. All girls and boys, no matter where they grow up, deserve to feel safe and secure.”
- Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of International Development and La Francophonie
Quick Facts
- The Paris Commitments and Paris Principles were adopted in 2007 at a conference in Paris, France, and they lay out detailed guidelines for protecting children from recruitment and for providing assistance to those already involved with armed groups or forces.
- The 2017 conference is an opportunity to take stock of progress achieved toward the implementation of the Paris Commitments and the Paris Principles and to identify next steps to better protect children in armed conflict.
- Canada has been a consistent financial contributor to United Nations initiatives related to children in armed conflict. At the inaugural World Humanitarian Summit, in May 2016, Canada announced a $1-million contribution to the UN Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict.
Associated Links
Contacts
Bernard Boutin
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of International Development and La Francophonie
343-203-5977
bernard.boutin@international.gc.ca
Media Relations Office
Global Affairs Canada
343-203-7700
media@international.gc.ca
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