MEDIA RELEASE
Released By:
Gallus
Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Chris Gallus, will lead the
Australian delegation to the Second Ministerial Conference of the Community of
Democracies to be held in Seoul this week.
The Community of Democracies is a unique gathering of nations from all
regions of the world that share a commitment to building and strengthening
democracy in their own countries, their respective regions and
globally.
The Community of Democracies held its first conference in Warsaw in June,
2000 where over 100 nations pledged to support democratic principles.
'The Conference will allow Australia to showcase the contribution our aid
program makes to strengthening democratic institutions and nurturing civil
society,' Mrs Gallus said.
'For governments to promote human development and safeguard freedoms,
democracy must widen and deepen.'
The Seoul conference today and tomorrow will focus on a plan of action for
advancing democratic principles and consolidate governance in their own
countries, regionally and worldwide.
As in Warsaw, the conference will comprise both a Ministerial meeting and a
parallel meeting of NGOs and civil society representatives from around the
world.
An important outcome from the Conference will be the adoption of a statement
on terrorism.
'Terrorism offends fundamental democratic principles and Australia will join
with other democratic nations in Seoul to condemn, in the strongest possible
terms, terrorist actions,' Mrs Gallus said.
Media inquiries: Alex Knox (82-16) 9456 5137