CIDA to strengthen agencies overseas.

OTTAWA -- The Canadian International Development Agency will provide up to $210 million over five years to strengthen the impact of Canadian volunteer-cooperation agencies doing work overseas, Minister for International Cooperation Aileen Carroll announced.

The 10 executing agencies are: AFS Interculture Canada, Canada World Youth, Canadian Crossroads International, Canadian Executive Service Overseas, CUSO, Oxfam-Quebec, SUCO, Voluntary Service Overseas Canada, and the World University Service of Canada, Centre canadien d'etude et de cooperation internationale.

According to the Minister, CIDA'S policy is to strengthen aid effectiveness by:

* focusing on a number of countries and sectors to increase overall impact;

* working with their local organizations to maximize results, and promote good governance in partner countries; and

* informing Canadians about the importance of supporting international cooperation.

The agencies are working on improvement of socio-economic conditions of communities in developing countries in areas such as health and basic education, the fight against HIV/AIDS, sustainable economic development, democracy, human rights and gender equality. Volunteer-cooperation agencies are expected to play a role in developing the Canada Corps that was announced in February.

819-953-3160