November 16, 2001

DENIS CODERRE ANNOUNCES MONTREAL WILL HOST
THE WORLD CONFERENCE ON WOMEN AND SPORT

MONTREAL - Secretary of State (Amateur Sport) Denis Coderre today announced that Montreal will host the next World Conference on Women and Sport from May 16 to 19, 2002. The Government of Canada will provide approximately $450,000 in funding towards the Conference.

Approximately 500 delegates, from up to 70 countries, will participate in the Conference to discuss issues related to women in sport, to report on progress and to agree on future directions for the worldwide women in sport movement.

The Conference, taking place under the leadership of the International Working Group on Women and Sport, will be hosted by the Government of Canada.

"I am very pleased that the Government of Canada is hosting this important international conference in Montreal," stated Mr. Coderre. "The Conference will be a great opportunity to celebrate the achievements of women in sport, to find solutions to common problems, to showcase Canada and to build a stronger Canadian movement for women in sport."

In addition to supporting the World Conference, the Government recently announced funding of $200,000 for two important Canadian initiatives that will follow the Conference: the development of a Canadian Strategy for Girls and Women through Physical Activity and Sport; and a National Conference on Women, Sport and Physical Activity, to be held in Hamilton, in November 2002.

The World Conference, whose theme is "Investing in Change," will feature prominent speakers in plenary sessions and a series of workshops on topics including Women in Coaching and Sport as a Tool for Cultural Understanding. The program will also include an evening of celebration highlighting the achievements of women who have created change for women worldwide in the area of sport. In conjunction with this conference, the Canadian Association for the Advancement of Women in Sport and Physical Activity
will hold a Skills Development Workshop, on May 16, 2002.

"The Government of Canada is proud to support activities, such as these, that highlight the leadership role our country has taken to ensure that the sport system truly reflects the diversity of our population," said Mr. Coderre. "We must take advantage of all forums and opportunities to promote and facilitate the participation of all Canadians in sport, whether solely for enjoyment, or in order to become the best in the world."

Information:
Nicole Beauchamp
Director of Communications
Office of the Secretary of State (Amateur Sport)
(819)994-9909