Bulletin LIAISON > LIAISON-Canada Electronic Newsletter #2

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Canadians honoured for international service on UN's 50th birthday

On October 24, in recognition of 50 years of Canadian contributions to the United Nations, Foreign Affairs Minister André Ouellet presented Medals of Honour to 17 Canadians who have worked through the UN to create a safer, healthier and more just world.

Among the Medal of Honour recipients were Louise Fréchette, former Canadian Ambassador to the UN, Harry Black, Executive Director of UNICEF Canada, and the Hon. Jules Deschênes, who currently sits on UN tribunals investigating war crimes in Rwanda and the former Yugoslavia. In total, 50 Canadians will receive the Medal of Honour during 1995. Awarded by the United Nations Association in Canada, the Medal of Honour recognizes outstanding service by Canadians through the United Nations system.

The medal presentations were the highlight of a ceremony on Parliament Hill commemorating the UN's 50th Anniversary. Canada Post also took advantage of the occasion to unveil its commemorative UN/50 stamp, depicting former Prime Minister Mackenzie King signing the UN Charter on behalf of Canada.

Earlier on October 24, Governor-General Roméo LeBlanc presided over a ceremony at Canada's Peacekeeping Monument honouring the tens of thousands of Canadians who have served in the name of peace over the past 50 years. Chief of the Defence Staff General John de Chastelain also participated in the event, as did a Guard of Honour of 100 Canadian peacekeepers.

Also in Ottawa that day, the Canada Council hosted the launch of Here and Now: A Celebration of Canadian Music. A four-volume CD set of Canadian music produced as a special UN/50 project, Here and Now includes cuts from such prominent Canadian artists as Leonard Cohen, Glenn Gould, Gilles Vigneault, Kashtin, and the Montreal Jubilation Choir. The CD set is available at Sam the Record Man stores across the country, or through Sam's mail-order number at 1-800-265-7267.