For Immediate Release
July 21, 2005
OTTAWA – Allan Rock, Canada's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, will be the keynote speaker at the Canadian Bar Association's 2005 Canadian Legal Conference on Aug. 14 in Vancouver. He will deliver the opening plenary in place of Lt.-Gen Roméo Dallaire, who has been called to Darfour, Sudan, by Prime Minister Paul Martin.
Ambassador Rock will discuss the always-evolving role of the UN, recent events that have threatened its legitimacy, the crossroads at which it now finds itself, and why Canada believes now is the time for change.
Since becoming ambassador in January 2004, Mr. Rock has been an outspoken advocate of human rights, human security and reforming the UN. He has consistently called for greater international action to resolve humanitarian crises, protect civilians and foster development, particularly in Africa. For the past year, he has been working with diplomats from around the world to negotiate agreements that have the potential to strengthen and renew the UN and the international system of collective security the organization supports.
Ambassador Rock has over a decade of experience in government and public policy. As a member of Canada's Parliament, he held a number of senior portfolios in the federal cabinet, including serving as Justice Minister and Attorney General from 1993-1997.
Ambassador Rock joins Supreme Court of Canada Chief Justice Beverley McLachlin, federal Justice Minister Irwin Cotler, B.C. Justice Minister Wally Oppal and CBC-TV's Ian Hanomansing as speakers at the Conference, which runs from Aug. 14-16 at the Vancouver Convention Centre. Full program details are available at:
http://www.cba.org/cba/annualmeeting/2005_annual/default.aspx
Sessions are open to accredited media. Most programs take place at the Vancouver Convention Centre and the Fairmont Waterfront. A Media Centre is located in the Vancouver Convention Centre, 999 Canada Place, Room 20, 2nd level. Accreditation may be obtained by contacting the CBA National Office in Ottawa at (613) 237-2925, ext. 146/155 until Aug. 11. The Media Room will be open on Friday, Aug. 12 beginning at noon, until Tuesday, Aug. 15 at noon.
The Canadian Bar Association is dedicated to improvement in the law and the administration of justice. Some 34,000 lawyers, law teachers, and law students from across Canada are members.
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CONTACT: Stephen Hanson, Canadian Bar Association, Tel: (613) 237-2925, ext. 147; E-mail: stephenh@cba.org. Aug. 12-15: (604) 647-7408.
