ADDRESS BY PRIME MINISTER JEAN CHRÉTIEN AT THE PONTIFICIA UNIVERSIDAD CATOLICA MADRE Y MAESTRA

April 14, 2003
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

It gives me great pleasure to be here today, at one of the most renowned universities of the Dominican Republic. I congratulate you, the faculty and student body on having established a tradition of excellence.

I am particularly gratified to receive, on behalf of the Canadian people, this honorary degree from your esteemed institution. It acknowledges the contribution that Canada has made throughout the world to encourage the development of civil society. I thank you for this honour, which I am pleased to accept in the name of my fellow citizens.

At the root of a strong civil society, you will find diversity and you will find participation. Working together, all sectors of society have a contribution to make to build a nation that is greater than the sum of its parts. Labour unions, non-governmental organizations, academics, and religious orders have all played a key role in the development of societies that are tolerant, peaceful, and also, prosperous.

I understand that this university, under the leadership of Monsignor Agripino Núñez Collado played a key role in bringing together civil society and the political parties of the Dominican Republic. Together they came to an agreement on development priorities. I applaud this collaborative effort and hope that other countries in the region will embrace this inclusive approach.

Canada and the Dominican Republic share the view that the benefits of education go far beyond the acquisition of knowledge. Education is the cornerstone of a democratic, civil society and the raw material of human progress. Learning is a limitless resource within each one of us.

We know also that education is essential to prosperity and quality of life. Through education we strengthen democratic institutions, help eliminate poverty, encourage economic growth, and sustain our natural resources and communities.

I am delighted today to meet leaders who, through education, have devoted themselves over many decades to improve the quality of life of the people of this country. I refer, of course, to people like Father Quinn and the Grey Nuns of the Sisters of Charity.

Since 1953, Father Quinn has devoted himself, with great compassion, courage and determination, to the welfare of the people of the Dominican Republic. Widely respected by all who know him, he has helped bring about a great many improvements in such areas as sanitation, health care, housing, reforestation and irrigation. He has been and continues to be an inspiration for many, and I am honoured to have met him.

Like Father Quinn, Sister Ann and Sister Lenore and others have been working hard for many years to increase access to education for the less privileged. Their hard work, strong teaching skills, deep-rooted values and courage have contributed to the blossoming of a series of schools.

I am sure that Father Quinn, Sister Ann, and Sister Lenore would agree that none of the religious orders could have made the contributions they did without the help and support of many generous and committed Dominicans. Together you have built a society that is growing stronger and serves as a model for all the Americas.

The importance of education to our hemisphere was recognized at the last Summit of the Americas, which Canada hosted in April 2001. The Summit Plan of Action commits all leaders to very ambitious, but achievable, improvements in education.

I am pleased to note that since the Summit, Ministers of Education of the Americas have met twice, and have agreed to create an Inter-American Committee on Education. This Committee will help coordinate the implementation of the hemispheric education agenda. We all look forward to the Committee's recommendations at their next meeting, scheduled to be held in Mexico in August 2003.

The agenda of the Summit of the Americas calls on all countries to expand economic opportunities, strengthen democracy, promote good governance, and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms. I am especially pleased that we will be holding a Special Summit of the Americas this Fall to take stock of where we are and the best way to move forward. I want to thank the Dominican Republic for its strong and continued support for the Summit agenda.

The growing and changing relationship between Dominicans and Canadians shows how friendship and partnership can open the door to opportunity. Strong Canadian investments, a record number of Canadian tourists and a bilateral free trade agreement on the horizon contribute greatly to this flourishing relationship. Together, as partners and members of our gran familia of the Americas, we are strengthening the foundation of lasting prosperity and democracy.

But there is more we must do to extend these benefits throughout our shared hemisphere.

Many countries of our region are being put to the test. Your next door neighbour, Haiti, continues to face tremendous challenges. Without further efforts to implement OAS resolutions, the country will sink further into despair. We know and understand the pressure that this puts on your own institutions and we are looking for ways to help. I am delighted to hear that there are 5,000 Haitian students at this University. With the education they receive and the friendships they forge while here, these students will be equipped to do their part to address the very serious issues facing Haiti. I am also happy to learn that this university is a leading member of the Consorcio Universitario Franco-Caribeño, and that very soon Canada will be a member of this important group.

As I noted earlier, education is the key to development and the cornerstone of civil society. We must be thankful of the fundamental contribution that universities and educators make to our world. Teachers open doors to opportunity and to a better quality of life. They open our minds to the rich diversity of our world and encourage us to make our own unique contribution.

The contributions made by institutes of higher learning, religious orders and all those who dedicate their lives on behalf of their community, are tremendously important to the development of a strong civil society. Canada and the Dominican Republic recognize and honour these contributions. They are part of the legacy our nations give to the future.

Thank you very much.

- 30 -