Speech by Prime Minister Jean Chrétien for the World Forum on Physical Activity and Sport

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.