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10 - Orono Weekly Times, Wednesday, April 2,2003 881 Viewpoint by Alex Shepherd, MP Durham I have been invited to join the Interparliamentary Union (IPU) in Chile next week as part of the Canadian delegation. delegation. Over 100 nations are involved in this organization established in 1889. Essentially the IPU contributes contributes to the defence and promotion of human rights which is, in my opinion, a primary primary factor contributing to democracy and its development. development. The IPU also supports the United Nations, shares its objectives, and works in close cooperation with it. Many people live in so- called democracies that are significantly less free and democratic than what we enjoy here in Canada. As members of the IPU Canada's objective will be to assist delegates delegates reform their existing institutions in the hope it will lead to more individual freedom. freedom. All you have to do is look at some of the participating nations to see the problems. There are nations of the former former Soviet Union, the emerging emerging and fragile democracies of $ ' the Americas, the Middle East and, yes, even Iraq. Multilateralism is the best way to promote peace and tolerance tolerance around the world. By sitting down and trying to understand each other's position position and showing respect, is the way nations earn respect in return. Then the goal becomes building on that respect and forming alliances which, hopefully, deters the need for conflict. This is the 108th Conference of the IPU being held in Santiago, Chile, a country that has lived through tumultuous times in the 60s and 70s under the Pinochet regime. Peace is the common thread that binds, most people who share this planet. Once people have attained a degree of basic wellness, food and shelter, they want an education and the personal freedoms that will allow them to choose their destiny. Others, through their religious religious - and other beliefs - have a different way of evalu- *P V /) ^ Orono Coventry ^ Full Menu \v --<$-- éft w ' „„ Main Street., Orono, Ontario • 983-9009 0$ Advantage #2 Mortgages • all rales subject to change without notice Great rates plus free Bonus Shares DUCA Financial Services ...your Credit Union! ating what the necessities of life are. For example, there is a growing rift between the East and West where the East feels it embraces a more spiritual spiritual world and the West a materialistic one. These different ideologies, when understood, provide a rich cultural diversity. Therefore, they should not be the basis of conflict, but instead, the catalyst for pursuing pursuing the well being of all people people in all nations. The United States has not participated in the IPU since 1996. Once again this reflects the U.S. move toward unilateralism, unilateralism, and the resulting isolationism. isolationism. I find this alarming. When I get to Chile next week I'm sure the topic of discussion discussion by many delegates will be the state of the world today, the U.S.-Iraq War, the inventory of neglected people and how to work toward a peaceful world. I hope I have some positive things to say in my next column column based on what I observed and participated in while in Chile. . , „ -, . I'm proud, to . be one of the parliamentarians chosen to represent Canada. I believe that through dialogue and understanding we can create new friendships and alliances. Through dialogue we can prevent conflict and we owe it to ourselves to try. : . DMKERBDS If s a fact that many fire deaths are caused by people attempting attempting to cook or smoke while under the influence of alcohol. There's more to responsible drinking than taking a cab. Don't put yourself- or your family- at risk to fire. REDUCE RE-USE RECYCLE instead. ^ y/lLU ' m -- || (Suit sA^t^^ Jg||( to US 2 wjpu Pu rf y v^iU-L- P-OVT «smokers helpline /tA/SPt-r . 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