(No. 171 - June 20, 2011 - 11:15 a.m. ET) The Honourable Diane Ablonczy, Minister of State of Foreign Affairs (Americas and Consular Affairs), today announced that the Government of Canada has contributed more than $800,000 to the Pearson Peacekeeping Centre for the Latin American Peacekeeping Partnership (LAPP).
“This project will support the efforts of Latin American countries to increase their capacity to contribute to peace operations, including the UN mission in Haiti,” said Minister of State Ablonczy. “LAPP is a great example of a project where a Canadian organization works with international partners to promote shared Canadian values.”
The objective of this project is to work with selected Latin American countries to increase their capacity to contribute—in line with international standards and best practices—to the planning, management and conduct of multinational and multi-dimensional peace operations.
LAPP is funded by Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada (DFAIT) through the Global Peace and Security Fund and is implemented by the Pearson Peacekeeping Centre. The project will bring together partners in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guatemala, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru and Uruguay and will focus on helping countries in the hemisphere to train military and police peacekeepers, including a growing number of women. Project partners will include national ministries of defence and foreign affairs, as well as local non-governmental organizations.
“Supporting our Latin American partners as they increase their ability to participate in peace operations helps enhance stability and security within the region,” said Minister of State Ablonczy.
The Global Peace and Security Fund, managed by DFAIT’s Stabilization and Reconstruction Task Force (START), supports projects that assist developing nations in contributing troops and police to peace operations, ensuring that these operations are increasingly effective and efficient.
These activities are part of Canada’s contribution to the G-8 global peace operations initiative. At Muskoka, Ontario, in 2010, Prime Minister Stephen Harper and his G-8 colleagues further committed to strengthening civilian security systems, including for police peacekeeping.
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For further information, media representatives may contact:
John Babcock
Senior Communications Adviser
Office of the Minister of State of Foreign Affairs (Americas and Consular Affairs)
613-944-2300
Foreign Affairs Media Relations Office
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
613-995-1874
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