Canadian University Press Releases/Newswire

Source: University of Ottawa
http://www.media.uottawa.ca/mediaroom/news_details-e.php?nid=1014

Four students from Niger on a learning mission in Ottawa

November 8, 2006

OTTAWA, November 8, 2006 —

WHAT: Press Conference

WHEN: Thursday, November 9, 2006, 2:00 p.m.

WHERE: Parliament Hill

Outside, between the centennial flame and the main entrance Please note that no security clearance is required to access the grounds.

On October 31st, four students from Niger’s Youth Parliament arrived in the national capital to embark on ten day mission of socio-political enrichment.

This official visit marks the second phase of the humanitarian initiative Making Niger our Business, launched last year by Mr Guy Laflamme, marketing professor from the School of Management of the University of Ottawa.

Last year, students from professor Laflamme’s marketing courses gathered a sum of $40 000 in donations and sponsorships and $250 000 in medical supplies and equipment that were distributed to three hospitals throughout Niger. This year, Mr. Laflamme continues the project along with his class, focussing on the development of education, health and democracy in Niger.

The goal of the Youth Parliament’s sojourn to Canada is to gain insight and acquire tools that will enable them to promote democracy and ensure its maintenance in Niger. They count on achieving that by implementing a public access program at the National Assembly in Niger. The Library of Parliament, which runs the Parliament of Canada’s tour program lent its expertise and helped to organise a two-day training session for the delegates from Niger’s Youth Parliament who are now ready to provide the public of Niger with informative tours of their own national legislature.

During their stay, the four members of the Niger Youth Parliament have also been visiting our governmental institutions, establishing networks of contacts, participating in University conferences.

We are asking for support from the community to provide the youths from Niger with a complete and fulfilling experience and to allow the Making Niger our Business project to further pursue sustainable development initiatives for Niger.