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Canadian Inititives in Africa
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Canada supports good Governance and Security in Francophone countries in Africa
October 17, 2002
Beirut (Lebanon) – Denis Paradis, Secretary of State (Latin America and Africa and la Francophonie) today announced on behalf of Susan Whelan, Minister for International Cooperation, that Canada will contribute $2.39 million to promote development, good governance and security in Francophone African countries.

Prime Minister Jean Chrétien is heading Canada's delegation at the Francophonie Summit, being held in Beirut, Lebanon, from October 18 to 20.

"Canada is committed to making a difference in the lives of the people in Francophonie member countries, many of which are among the poorest nations in the world," Minister Whelan said. "Canada is building on past success with its partners in La Francophonie to ensure sustainable development for the future."

Today's initiative supports principles of the New Partnership for Africa's Development and the G8 Africa Plan that call for developing countries to establish their development priorities.

"Canada is playing a key role in assisting developing countries and transition economies in La Francophonie to acquire the skills and resources needed to sustain their own economic and social progress," Mr. Paradis said.

The funding will be used in the following manner:

  • $1.3 million over three years to the Lester B. Pearson Canadian International Peacekeeping Training Centre to train civil observers who play a key role in ensuring security in a post-conflict situation. This builds on the initial project ($4.5 million over three years) that was launched at the last Francophonie Summit in Moncton, in September 1999, and that is being successfully carried out by the Pearson Centre. It supports efforts in Francophone Africa to improve the effectiveness of peacekeeping operations by training of the military, civilian police, the media and civil society in peacekeeping and security. The activities are designed to build the training capacities of African regional schools, to encourage networking among participating institutions and to support local initiatives.
  • $1.09 million over three years to Transparency International — the only international non-governmental organization devoted to combating corruption — to expand into 14 countries in sub-Saharan Francophone Africa. This will assist Francophone African countries promoting reforms designed to reduce corruption and reinforce transparency, responsibility, and good governance. The first phase ($850,000 over three years) of this initiative was launched in 1999.


Funding this initiative was provided for in the December 2001 federal budget and is therefore built into the existing fiscal framework.

Source : (2002-66) News Release MAECI