January 23, 2004No. 9Foreign Affairs Minister Bill Graham and International Cooperation MinisterAileen Carroll today welcomed the formal inauguration on Saturday, January 24 of theKofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre in Accra, Ghana. Last year,Canada provided a $3 million contribution to this training centre through theCanada-West Africa Peace Security Initiative, which is one component of the CanadaFund for Africa, established to fulfill commitments made at the G8 meeting inKananaskis in 2002."The Kofi Annan Peacekeeping Training Centre is set to become an important centre ofexcellence for enhancing Africa's capacity to manage conflicts in the region," saidMinister Graham. "As a recognized leader in peace support operations, Canada ispleased to support the centre in its early efforts to develop its programs and providetraining to civilian and military personnel from West Africa who will participate incomplex peace support operations in Africa and elsewhere.""Peace, stability and good governance are integral building blocks for sustainabledevelopment--development that addresses social, economic and environmentalsecurity," said Minister Carroll. "The opening of the Kofi Annan InternationalPeacekeeping Training Centre emphasizes the commitment of African countries towork together, and with the international community, for peace and prosperity on thecontinent."The Pearson Peacekeeping Centre has been engaged by Canada to partner with theKofi Annan Centre in its inaugural stages to help develop the curriculum and train apool of African instructors. The courses offered at the Kofi Annan Centre will helpAfrican military and civilian personnel acquire essential skills needed for complex peacesupport operations today, including logistical planning, the design and implementationof programs to demobilize, disarm and reintegrate combatants, and the management ofhumanitarian assistance. The role of gender in peace support will be integrated into thetraining programs.- 30 -For further information, media representatives may contact:Isabelle SavardDirector of CommunicationsOffice of the Minister of Foreign Affairs(613) 995-1851Media Relations OfficeDepartment of Foreign Affairs and International Trade(613) 995-1874http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.caAndrew GrahamPress SecretaryOffice of the Minister for International Cooperation(819) 953-3160Media Relations OfficeCanadian International Development Agency(819) 953-6534info@acdi-cida.gc.ca
