VANCOUVER, March 18, 2010 - The Honourable Gary Lunn, Minister of State (Sport), today announced new funding from the Department of Canadian Heritage for international sport for development initiatives.
"In keeping with the spirit of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, our Government is proud to provide this funding to advance and promote human development initiatives abroad through sport," said Minister of State Lunn. "This is consistent with the Olympic Truce resolution tabled by Canada at the United Nations General Assembly in October 2009, which encourages the building of a peaceful and better world through sport and Olympic ideals and calls upon UN member states to support human development initiatives through sport."
This announcement follows a meeting with Wilfried Lemke, Special Adviser to the United Nations Secretary-General on Sport for Development and Peace, which took place during the 2010 Paralympic Games in Vancouver.
"I applaud Canada for its leadership and commitment in the field of international sport for development, the important projects it supports in developing countries, and particularly its support for knowledge-exchange initiatives like the Sport for Development and Peace International Working Group," said Mr. Lemke.
"Our Government recognizes that sport helps build sustainable communities, supports social inclusion, engages youth at risk, and contributes to a global culture of peace," added Minister of State Lunn.
The Government of Canada is providing $504,159 in new funding for international sport for development initiatives through the Department of Canadian Heritage in 2009-2010. This is in addition to the $1,559,782 in sport for development funding previously announced by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) for 2009-2010.
Canadian Heritage funding will support knowledge exchange through funding to the Sport for Development and Peace International Working Group and the International Platform on Sport for Development and Peace. Canadian Heritage funding will also support the Peres Center for Peace's Twinned Peace Soccer School for Girls and the Fight for Peace project in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Along with Canadian Heritage, CIDA co-funds Commonwealth Games Canada's International Development Through Sport Program, while also funding projects of Right to Play and the United Nations Association of Canada.
For more information (media only), please contact:
Vanessa Schneider
Director of Communications
Office of the Honourable Gary Lunn, P.C., M.P.
Minister of State (Sport)
819-934-1191
vanessa.schneider@pch.gc.ca
Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
819-994-9101
1-866-569-6155
media@pch.gc.ca
