(2004- 09) News ReleaseThursday, March 4, 2004 Halifax ¿ The Honourable Aileen Carroll, Minister for International Cooperation, today announced a $12.8 million contribution over six years to support 13 international development projects by Canadian universities and their partner institutions in developing countries. These projects, funded by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) University Partnerships in Cooperation and Development (UPCD) Program, draw upon Canadian university expertise to help build the capacity of developing-country education and training institutions in addressing the sustainable development priorities of their countries. "Canadian universities have been at the forefront of our efforts to promote prosperity, peace and social justice around the world," said Minister Carroll. "With support from the federal government, these projects will help many developing countries enhance their skills in various sectors, including education, good governance, environmental protection, policing and training." Minister Carroll made the announcement during a visit to St. Mary's University. The 13 projects were submitted by Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. Mary's University, Mount Saint Vincent University, École nationale d'administration publique (ENAP), Université de Sherbrooke, Ryerson University, University of Manitoba, University of Regina, University of Saskatchewan, University of Calgary, Simon Fraser University and two from the University of British Columbia. Each project was selected based on the needs of the targeted developing country or countries, and its coherence with Canadian international development priorities. These will be implemented in Africa, in the Americas, and in Asia, with each of the Canadian institutions working in close collaboration with their local partners. "The initiatives proposed by St. Mary's and Mount St. Vincent universities are in line with CIDA's aid delivery priority of supporting sustainable development, and will contribute to CIDA's work around the world," said Minister Carroll. "These projects will yield long-term benefits for Mongolia, the Gambia, and for Canada." The UPCD program holds regular competitions open to universities across Canada, and the selection process is overseen by an independent committee of peers. The selection process is co-ordinated by the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada (AUCC), a national organization representing Canadian universities. The projects being announced today will be administered on CIDA's behalf by the AUCC. Funding for this initiative was provided for in the February 2003 federal budget and is therefore built into the existing fiscal framework. - 30 - Information: Andrew GrahamDirector of CommunicationsOffice of the Minister for International CooperationTelephone: (819) 953-3160Media Relations OfficeCanadian International Development Agency (CIDA)Telephone: (819) 953-6534E-mail: info@acdi-cida.gc.caWeb site: www.cida.gc.ca (electronic version of document)Margaux BelandAssociation of Universities and Colleges of Canada350 Albert Street, suite 600Ottawa, Ontario K1R 1B1Tel: (613) 563-1236 ext. 296Fax: (613) 563-9745PROJECT DESCRIPTIONSMemorial University of Newfoundland - Sustaining Coastal Fishing Communities (St. John's): to improve food security in Tanzania, the project aims to increase the capacity of the University of Dar Es Salaam to respond to issues influencing the sustainable utilization of coastal fish stocks. This will be accomplished through the implementation of a fisheries research and training program at the University of Dar Es Salaam, and the development and implementation of community programs on sustainable fisheries and environmental issues. (Dr. Anthony Dickinson, (709) 737-4356).Saint Mary's University - Education for Environmental Transition (Halifax): to strengthen technical and managerial capacity of those engaged in the mining industry in Mongolia to carry out mining activities in an environmentally and economically sustainable manner. The project will develop practical, scientifically sound, and socially acceptable approaches to sustainable management of the dramatically expanding mining industry. (Dr. Jarda Dostal, (902) 420-5747).Mount Saint Vincent University - Community - Based Policing (Halifax): to include community and educational components, which will result in the entire Gambian Police Force working from the community-based model by the end of the project. This project also will lead to a fully implemented, accredited and sustainable certificate program in community-policing and restorative justice being offered by Gambia College. (Dr. Stephen B. Perrott, (902) 457-6337).École nationale d'administration publique (ENAP ) - Strengthening Governance (Montreal): will allow the Rwandan Institute of Administration and Management (RIAM) to improve its capacity in training, skills development and advisory services, responding to client needs; to develop its capacity in training for women managers; to train the trainers in public management, and to develop a diploma program for staff of local governments. (Yves Poulin, (418) 641-3000, ext. 6575).University of Sherbrooke - Advanced Graduate Diploma in Democracy and Governance (Sherbrooke): aims to ensure that the population of Benin and region will be supported by personnel who are trained and competent in democracy and governance. This will encourage public engagement in the sustainable development of these communities. This training will allow students and instructors to better equip themselves to encourage public engagement and to support private and community entrepreneurs. (Jacques Gagnon : (819) 821-8000, ext. 2369).Ryerson University - Building Capacity in Food Security (Toronto): to provide community-based education and training models that respond to the development challenge of increasing food security for the most vulnerable populations in developing countries. It will focus on the formation of social actors in food and nutritional security in the poorest region of Brazil and will involve the piloting of new programs in food security with civil society organizations and local governments in three North Eastern regions. (Ms. Cecilia Rocha, (416) 979-5000, ext. 6009).University of Manitoba - Strengthening Nursing Practice Through Education and Research (Winnipeg): to improve health and well being at the community level by strengthening Cuba's capacity in nursing education and research, and enhancing nurses' participation and role within the health care system. The project aims to enhance the capacity of the Instituto Superior de Ciencias Médicas-Habana (ISCMH) and Cuba's Ministry of Public Health to provide relevant graduate nursing education and strengthen the ability of nurses to conduct research and disseminate results using existing community needs assessments. (Dr. Judith Scanlan, (204) 474-8175)University of Regina - Rural Community Water Conservation (Regina): to increase the capacity of the University of La Serena (Chile) to deliver education and training programs that improve the ability of rural women, non-governmental organizations and government agencies to address sustainable water management issues for rural communities affected by desertification and the impacts of climate change. (Dr. Harry Diaz, (306) 585-4151)University of Saskatchewan - Sustainable Rural Agriculture Development (Saskatoon): to increase the institutional capacity of the Awassa College of Agriculture at the Debub University for the extension training of professionals to support community-based agricultural practices. The project will encourage farmers in Ethiopia to participate in new management systems designed to increase food production and will improve the productivity of cultivated lands and the revenue of farmers through a combination of technology adaptation and policy reform. (Dr. Michiel Grevers, (306) 966-6858).University of Calgary - Lao Human Resources for Community Health (Calgary): to contribute to the improvement of the health and economic status of the people of Laos, especially beyond its capital, the project aims to strengthen the capacity of the Faculty of Medical Sciences of the National University of Laos to address the human resources training needs of the country in the health sector. (Dr. Clarence A. Guenter, (403) 678-4519).Simon Fraser University - Reducing HIV Stigma by Education (Burnaby): to reduce the spread of HIV/AIDS and associated stigmatization through education of school children and youth in Ghana, the project aims to strengthen the capacity of the University of Ghana, University of Cape Coast and University of Education, Winneba to design, develop, and deliver quality HIV/AIDS education programmes for teachers, students, National Youth Council facilitators and youth. (Dr. J. Colin Yerbury, (604) 291-5147).University of British Columbia - Wood Products Processing Education (Vancouver): to assist the University of Stellenbosch (USTB) and Port Elizabeth Technikon (PET) to achieve their goal of delivering viable Bachelor degree level educational programs in value - added wood processing, thereby increasing the availability of trained managers for South Africa's wood industry. (Professor Philip Evans, (604) 822-0517).University of British Columbia - Sustainable Clubfoot Care (Vancouver): to make available in a sustainable fashion, universal, effective, efficient and safe treatment (by the Ponseti Method) of the congenital clubfoot deformity in Uganda. The Ponseti method treats the congenital clubfoot with accurate manipulation and casting rather than surgery. In earlier Canadian and Ugandan trials, there was a greater than 95 percent correction of deformity without the need for surgery. (Dr. Shafique Pirani, (604) 522-2332).
