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Speech by Prime Minister Jean Chrétien for the World Forum on Physical Activity and Sport
May 21, 1995
Quebec City, Quebec
On behalf of all Canadians, I am very pleased to extend to you
a warm welcome to Canada and to Quebec City, one of our most beautiful
cities. Canadians are greatly honoured that in the year of the
50th anniversary of the United Nations, you have come to historic
Quebec City to participate in the first World Forum on
Physical Activity and Sport.
Allow me to begin by acknowledging the leadership and vision of
the four partners who have guided this World Forum from idea to
reality. Representing them here today are Mr. Federico Mayor,
the Director-General of UNESCO; Dr. Hiroshi Nakajima, the Director-General
of the World Health Organization; Ms. Anita DeFrantz, Executive
Board Member of the International Olympic Committee; and, Mr.
Kihachiro Onitsuka, President of the World Federation of the Sporting
Goods Industry. I convey my government's sincere congratulations
for the groundbreaking work you and your organizations have done
to initiate and prepare for this World Forum.
I am especially pleased to welcome Mr. Mayor here in Quebec, a
city designated as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, the only United
Nations agency with a mandate relating specifically to culture.
I will take this opportunity to point out that today, May 21st,
is the World Day for Cultural Development. As well, this year,
1995, has been designated by UNESCO as the International Year
for Tolerance. Today, this meeting of participants from different
cultures demonstrates once again that we are united by a common
ideal and by our determination to banish exclusion in all its
forms through our action.
I would also like to welcome representatives from other governments
who are here in Quebec City. And the many leaders in the sport,
fitness and health areas. We are pleased that you have come from
around the globe to lend your expertise to this World Forum. And
to bring the importance of physical activity, sport and health
to world attention.
Canada has been very active in promoting physical activity not
just within our borders but around the world. We were actively
involved in the development of the International Charter on Physical
Education and Sport in 1978, which we continue to support.
Physical activity and sport are deeplyrooted in Canadian culture.
Enjoying the stillness of a lake while paddling a canoe. Joining
in a fast paced game of icehockey. Canadians know well the pleasures
and rewards of active living. Physical activity and sport cut
across differences in language and culture. This promotes values
which strengthen our societies - discipline, team-work and fair
play. In recent years, we have become more conscious of the many
health benefits of physical activity. And more Canadians have
taken up more active living. Our governments are working together
to further encourage the participation of all Canadians in physical
activity and sport.
Canada has also built a strong reputation for successfully hosting
international sporting events. We have demonstrated our know-how
by hosting the Olympic Games in Montreal and Calgary. Just last
summer we hosted a very successful Commonwealth Games in Victoria.
In 1999, we will have the honour of once again hosting the Pan-American
Games in Winnipeg. And we are extremely excited about being among
the four final contenders for the 2002 Olympic Winter games,
which, if awarded to Canada, would be staged right here in QuJbec
City.
Like all of you, my government knows that an active society can
help reduce the incidence of serious diseases and health problems.
An active society can also help significantly reduce costs to
health care systems and ensure their survival. We know that sport
and active living programs can play a role in crime prevention
among youth, have a positive impact on workplace productivity,
and be of benefit to the environment. But most importantly, we
believe that the benefits of physical activity and sport can,
and should be, made accessible to all.
This is why the goals of this World Forum on Physical Activity
and Sport are so important. Physical activity and sport for all
have the potential to complement the humanitarian and socioeconomic
objectives of international development work, as well as to promote
peace and international cooperation.
To realize this potential, it is crucial that all people involved
in fitness, sport and health whether in private industry, the
voluntary sector, or government work together to create more
opportunities to bring the benefits to those in the greatest need.
In this respect, enhanced international collaboration is absolutely
essential to achieve this objective.
As delegates, you have important work to do. You have before
you a unique opportunity to focus on issues that touch people
at a personal level, regardless of where they live. I wish you
every success as you rise to the challenge.
And now, as Prime Minister of Canada, it is my great pleasure
to declare this first World Forum on Physical Activity and Sport
officially open.
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