Fort Frances picked to host WHO in 2002

Fort Frances

The World Health Organization Collaborating Centre on Community Safety Promotion gave the nod to the Rainy River District, in North Western Ontario to host the 11th International Conference on Safe Communities in May of 2002. In making the announcement, Leif Svanstrom president of the WHO Collaborating Centre for Safe Communities, noted that the residents and businesses of that region have developed programs that are the envy of the world.

The 2002 Conference, in the Rainy River District will demonstrate to the world that programs improving safety in all walks of life can be developed from grass roots participation without initial government funding.

Delegates from the Rainy River District delivered that message through a series of papers on Community awareness programs at the 10th International Safe Communities Conference in Anchorage, Alaska, in May 2001.

The 2002 Conference will continue that focus demonstrating Community awareness programs beginning in the primary school years to prepare youth for a safe and productive life with continuation of ongoing programs well into the retirement years.

* Mobilizing communities into cross sectional groups, which use community strategic planning to promote community safety as a social and economic development tool.

* Programs addressing suicide, substance abuse and other self-destructive behaviour from childbirth to seniors.

* Programs that address improving the quality of life and health of aboriginal people.

Jeannette Cawston, coordinator for the conference, advised that delegates to the May 2002 conference will be able travel across the Rainy River District visiting resource work sites, aboriginal communities, seniors groups, and schools to learn directly how programs were developed and implemented.

“Delegates will leave with documents and information that they can begin implementing in communities in their countries,” noted Cawston. Over 45 countries with from 350 to 500 delegates are expected to participate in the conference. For more information call the 2002 WHO Conference Headquarters at 1-800-465-8502 or our website at www.who2002.com.