March 12, 2013 – Toronto, Ontario — Vulnerable children and youth in the Dominican Republic will see the safety and quality of their lives improved thanks to a partnership between the Canada and Ryerson University. Today, Member of Parliament Lois Brown, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Cooperation, the Honourable Julian Fantino, announced Canada’s support for an initiative that will empower and support the human rights of children and youth in the Dominican Republic.

“The Canada is committed to increasing the quality of life of children and youth in vulnerable communities as an international assistance priority,” said MP Brown. “Through this partnership with Ryerson University, Canada will help ensure that vulnerable children and youth have a safe environment to grow up to become healthy and productive members of society.”

This investment will help Ryerson University, in line with the intentions of the Government of the Dominican Republic, to improve the skills of government agencies and civil society organizations responsible for protecting these vulnerable groups from abuse and sexual or labour exploitation. Working together, they will build a robust child protection system that will include youth in the design and implementation of child protection programs.

“Ryerson University is committed to effecting evidence-based social change through its research activities,” said Wendy Cukier, Vice-President Research and Innovation, Ryerson University. “Ryerson is grateful for the support of the Government of Canada for this innovative project which will contribute to improving the safety and quality of life for the most vulnerable children and youth in the Dominican Republic.”

The Dominican Republic benefits from various programs supported by the Canada, including the Inter-American Regional Program, International Humanitarian Assistance Program and La Francophonie program. Canada also supports programs such as the Pan American Health Organization’s Improved Health and Increased Protection from Communicable Diseases program, of which the Dominican Republic is a beneficiary.

The Ryerson University project will be funded through CIDA’s Partners for Development Program for $1.5 million.