Press Release

E-116/99ie
December 17, 1999

 

CANADA SIGNS AGREEMENT TO HOST OAS MODEL ASSEMBLY

 

Canada today signed an agreement with the Organization of American States (OAS), paving the way for the Organization’s next Model General Assembly to be hosted in the city of Edmonton.

In a brief ceremony at the OAS in Washington, Secretary General César Gaviria, Canada’s Ambassador to the OAS, Peter Boehm, and the local coordinator, Dr. Juris Lejnieks of the University of Alberta, signed the Memorandum of Understanding formalizing the hosting of the event.

After signing the documents, the OAS chief pledged the hemispheric body’s full support in the staging of the event. He hailed the hosting of the Model Assembly in Canada as "very good for the whole hemisphere," explaining that it would go a long way in helping develop the bonds of understanding and friendship between Canadian students and those of other OAS member states from throughout the hemisphere.

In his statement, Ambassador Boehm noted with pleasure that this represents "a great moment, certainly, for the students of the University of Alberta, as well as for the province, the city [of Edmonton] and the country".

Dr. Lejnieks is the local coordinator in Edmonton for the Model OAS Assembly that will be held from March 27 to 31, 2000. The event will bring together 500 students from around the hemisphere, to discuss and offer solutions to major issues on the hemispheric agenda, including strengthening democracy, human rights, peace and security, sustainable development, and fighting illicit drugs.

 

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