Feb 18, 2022 | International
Today, the Honourable Carla Qualtrough, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion, participated in the 2022 Global Disability Summit, during which the Minister highlighted past commitments Canada made on disability inclusion in international assistance.
February 17, 2022 – Ottawa, Ontario – Global Affairs Canada
At home and abroad, Canada is committed to increasing the meaningful participation of people with disabilities in the design and implementation of programs, policies and initiatives.
Today, the Honourable Carla Qualtrough, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion, participated in the 2022 Global Disability Summit, during which the Minister highlighted past commitments Canada made on disability inclusion in international assistance. These commitments include signing onto the Global Disability Summit Charter for Change, honouring Canada’s G7 $400-million commitment to girls’ education, and hosting the 2019 Global Action on Disability Network Annual General Meeting.
Minister Qualtrough also referred to Canada’s new commitments, which include supporting local disability rights organizations in developing countries and advancing disability inclusion in the paid and unpaid care agenda.
She addressed the Together for Learning Campaign, Canada’s three -year international campaign to promote quality education and lifelong learning for refugees, forcibly displaced, and host-community children and youth. As part of the campaign, Canada will reaffirm its commitment to inclusive education and lifelong learning opportunities for all children and youth around the world during this year’s Together for Learning Summit.
“Human rights and inclusion for all marginalized groups, including persons with disabilities, are at the heart of Canada’s Feminist International Assistance Policy. A new series of commitments has been put forward by Canada at this year’s Global Disability Summit. In line with my mandate to provide greater assistance to people with disabilities in developing countries, we will focus on strengthening disability inclusive programming and advocacy, together with our partners.”
– Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of International Development and Minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada
“The inclusion of persons with disabilities in every part of society – at home and around the world – is a priority for Canada. We’re proud to join the Global Disability Summit to participate in an important meeting that puts disability inclusion at the centre. It’s an opportunity for Canada to show leadership in this vital work, and also to learn from others how we can build a barrier-free country and world.”
– Carla Qualtrough, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion
An estimated 15% of the world’s population (that is, 1 billion people) lives with a disability; this percentage is higher in situations of armed conflict (source: World Report on Disability, World Health Organization and World Bank, 2011).
Children with disabilities are more likely to be denied access to quality education (source: World Report on Disability, World Health Organization and World Bank, 2011).
The meaningful inclusion of persons with disabilities around the world is a priority for Canada and is in line with our efforts under the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Canada is committed to supporting the education of the world’s most marginalized, including refugee, other forcibly displaced children and youth, and the communities that host them.
Canada strongly supports the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals.
The Together for Learning Summit: Engaging Displaced Youth to Transform Education, which will take place from March 30 to 31, 2022, will be centred on the perspectives of displaced youth and their advice on inclusive and quality education systems.
Jane Deeks
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion
jane.deeks@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca
Feb 11, 2022 | International
Canada believes in free and independent media because freedom of the press is the bedrock of a healthy democracy.
February 10, 2022 – Ottawa, Ontario – Global Affairs Canada
Canada believes in free and independent media because freedom of the press is the bedrock of a healthy democracy.
Today, the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, concluded her virtual participation in the Third Global Conference for Media Freedom, which took place on February 9 and 10 and was hosted by Estonia
Throughout her participation, Minister Joly emphasized that a strong democracy relies on access to diverse and reliable sources of news and information and, ultimately, a shared set of facts. These facts enable members of society to develop informed opinions, hold governments and individuals accountable and constructively participate in public debate. The Minister also highlighted Canada’s commitment to supporting and strengthening free and independent media around the world.
With this in mind, the Minister announced the following funding in support of media freedom:
$636,048 in funding to support the International Press Institute in its work of strengthening the safety of journalists in Sub-Saharan Africa
$1 million in funding to support UNESCO’s Global Media Defence Fund in 2022; the Global Media Defence Fund helps organizations around the world promote media freedom.
Minister Joly also participated in a panel discussion on disinformation and freedom of expression. She illustrated the dangers of disinformation through the example of the ongoing crisis in Ukraine, where Russia continues to push false narratives to undermine the Ukrainian government through overt and covert disinformation. Minister Joly was clear that Russia must de-escalate and cease its disinformation activities.
At the conference, Minister Joly and Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, U.K. Minister for South Asia, the United Nations and the Commonwealth, presented the Canada-United Kingdom Freedom Award for Media Freedom to Vietnamese journalist Pham Doan Trang for her work in advancing democracy and human rights in Vietnam.
In addition, Minister Joly congratulated Eva-Maria Liimets, her Estonian counterpart, for organizing a successful conference. As the United Kingdom concluded its co-chairship of the Media Freedom Coalition, Minister Joly thanked the U.K. for its leadership in the coalition since its inception. Canada looks forward to working with the Netherlands as the Netherlands assumes co-chairship of the coalition.
“A free and independent media plays a vital role in building democratic societies. Canada is committed to working with the international community to protect media freedom and support those that defend it.”
– Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs
