Canadian International Co-operation Minister Bev Oda recently revealed Government’s plans to spend approximately $37 million on 11 education and health-care projects in the regions including Afghanistan, Africa and the Americas. The announcement was made during a soccer match on Parliament Hill in the presence of Save the Children Canada CEO, Patricia Erb, and children from Nepean’s Knoxdale Public School.
“Our government believes that education is the strongest tool we can provide to children so they can achieve a brighter future. In developing countries this means well-trained teachers, a safe school environment, and suitable curriculums,” said Minister Oda. Coupled with good health and the realization of their rights as children, they can grow up and make a positive contribution to the economic well-being of their families and communities.
Save the Children is expected to use $2.3 million to help students go to school in Kandahar. In other projects, the Government of Canada is planning to support the International Bureau for Children’s Rights (IBCR) aimed at preventing child sex tourism in Costa Rica besides supporting a second IBCR project in Jordan.
Government of Canada will also support a project to improve access to books and data-processing tools in central Africa.
The Canadian International Development Agency is focussing on funding the projects that are aimed at reducing violations of children’s rights and improving child justice.
