December 13, 2010

Government of Canada Invests in Canadian International Centre for Women’s Leadership at the Coady Institute

The Coady Institute at St. Francis Xavier University receives enhancement to federal government funding

ANTIGONISH, NS – The Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence and Regional Minister for Nova Scotia, on behalf of the Honourable Beverley J. Oda, Minister of the Canadian International Development Agency, yesterday announced an important investment towards the creation of a new Canadian International Centre for Women’s Leadership. The Centre will be a part of the Coady International Institute.

“This investment is a demonstration of our government’s commitment to higher education and women’s issues,” said Minister MacKay. “The Coady Institute continues to build on its proud traditions and the new Centre for Women’s Leadership will build on the Coady’s international reputation.”

“Women are key to our future. There is significant evidence that educated women are much more likely to create a better future for their families and communities,” said Minister Oda. “This partnership will give women the opportunity to take leadership in their lives and communities.”

“Our focus with this new initiative is to build the next generation of community leaders and national leaders from the growing ranks of motivated and educated women that are ready to step into leadership roles,” said Gord Cunningham, acting director of the Coady Institute. “Like President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf in Liberia or Kenyan Nobel Peace Prize winner Wangari Maathai, women are enabling change through positions of leadership and the Coady Institute can play a role in supporting the aspirations of future women leaders.”

The Coady Institute has a 50 year legacy of leadership development that has reached over 5,000 graduates in more than 130 countries. The Coady Institute is well positioned to provide world-class leadership education to emerging women leaders.

In total, the Government is providing $1,065,660 for the Canadian International Centre for Women’s Leadership at the Coady International Institute.

For more information:

Justin Broekema
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of International Cooperation
Telephone: 819-953-6238

Andrea MacDonald
Special Assistant (Communications)
Office of Minister MacKay
Telephone: 902-426-7205

Lori Ward
Fund Development & Communications Manager
Telephone 902-867-5347