FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 13 October 1998

ANNOUNCEMENT: CANADIAN AGENCIES ESTABLISH FORUM ON SUDAN

Nine Canadian non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and church
coalitions have agreed to establish the Sudan Inter-Agency Reference
Group of Canada (SIARG), a forum intended to facilitate members' work on
Sudan, a country devastated by war, famine and human rights abuses.
SIARG members will share information, analyze and comment on government
policy on Sudan, support each others activities, and undertake common
initiatives when appropriate.

The SIARG, formed at an roundtable 26 September 1998, includes Freedom
Quest International (FQI); Inter-Church Action for Relief, Development
and Justice (ICA); Oxfam Canada; Inter-Church Coalition on Africa
(ICCAF); International Centre for Human Rights and Democratic
Development (ICHRDD); Canadian Friends Service Committee (CFSC); Project
Ploughshares; Steelworkers Humanities Fund; and the United Church of
Canada.

Members' Sudan-related activities include programming in: capacity
building; conflict resolution; development; education; human rights
research, reporting and advocacy; and relief.

Several other Canadian agencies are expected to join the SIARG in the
near future.

Until further notice, the Inter-Church Coalition on Africa (ICCAF),
based in Toronto, will serve as host agency.

For further information on the SIARG contact Gary Kenny, ICCAF.
Tel. (416) 927-1124
Fax (416) 927-7554
E-mail gkenny@web.net

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10/17/98   10:11 AM