Québec reaffirms its commitment to the Millennium Development Goals At the opening of the Montréal Millennium Summit on April 15, Pierre Arcand, Minister of International Relations and Minister Responsible for La Francophonie, reaffirmed Québec’s commitment to the UN’s Millennium Development Goals. Addressing an audience of international experts, Mr. Arcand noted that Québec has been a true pioneer in international solidarity for over thirty years through its recognition of the vital role civil society plays in development.

Brussels seminar addresses the crisis’s impacts on developing countries The economic and financial crisis’s impacts on the developing countries figured prominently at a seminar held at Egmont Palace in Brussels on March 31. Co-organized by the International Francophone Organization (OIF), Egmont Palace, the Canadian Embassy and Québec Government Office in Brussels, the event also provided an opportunity to discuss the international community’s role in mitigating the effects of the crisis.

Update on second year of Québec’s International Policy An update on the second year (2007-2008) of Québec’s International Policy is now available on the website of the Ministère des Relations internationales (MRI). In addition to summarizing the status of some 70 measures and initiatives set out in the 2006-2009 action plan arising from the Policy, the report confirms the value of the concerted international action taken by partner departments and agencies and emphasizes Québec’s range of action.

Sustainable development action plan for 2009-2013 The Ministère des Relations internationales (MRI) has just released its first sustainable development action plan, which sets forth the efforts that the department plans to prioritize in order to contribute to the Government Sustainable Development Strategy for 2008-2013. The MRI’s sustainable development contribution is adapted to the department’s special mission and will mobilize all of its resources, in Québec and abroad.

Toward a Montréal-U.S. high-speed train? The Minister of International Relations and Minister responsible for La Francophonie, Pierre Arcand, was delighted by the announcement made on April 16 by President Obama proposing a high-speed rail strategic plan that promotes a greener, more sustainable method of transportation and identifies Montréal within one of the ten major corridors.

An international organization promoting sustainable trade sets up shop in Montréal FAST, which stands for Finance Alliance for Sustainable Trade, recently inaugurated its secretariat in Montréal. This international NGO’s mission is to increase sustainable production and trade through financing adapted to small and medium-sized enterprises in developing countries. The Ministère des Relations internationales assisted in establishing the secretariat of FAST in Montréal through the Fonds de développement International de Montréal (fund for the international development of Montréal).

Government of Québec supports 17 international research projects Raymond Bachand, Minister of Finance and Minister of Economic Development, Innovation and Export Trade, recently announced that $3,458,000 will be provided over a three-year period to support 17 international research projects in the areas of healthcare, human and social sciences, nanotechnology, energy, high-tech materials, IT and communications, aeronautics/aerospace and climate change.

Francophone Demographic and Statistical Observatory inaugurated Laval University celebrated the opening of the Francophone Demographic and Statistical Observatory (ODSEF) on April 9 at a ceremony attended by Pierre Arcand, Minister of International Relations and Minister Responsible for La Francophonie, and representatives of the Francophone University Agency (AUF) and the International Francophone Organization (OIF). In addition to housing the Observatory, Laval University will oversee the scientific management of the project, which aims to develop a linguistic atlas of the French-speaking world.

OSM tours Europe The Orchestre symphonique de Montréal (OSM) launched its first European tour under the direction of conductor Kent Nagano with a sold-out concert in Valencia, Spain, on April 15. The Government of Québec is a co-presenter of the six-country, 13-concert tour. Government support for the series of performances is coordinated by the Ministère des Relations internationales.

The City of Montréal wins a Gold Edison Award The BIXI self-serve bicycle system of the City of Montréal won first prize in the “Energy and Sustainability” category at the Edison Awards on April 1 in Mountain View, California. These awards, which are inspired by the famous American inventor, are awarded annually for the most innovative products in North America. The Québec Government Representative in Los Angeles, Denis Turcotte, was in attendance to receive the award on behalf of Mayor Gérald Tremblay.

Pierre Arcand pays tribute to the OSM’s European tour During a ceremony in Linz, Austria on April 22, Pierre Arcand, Minister of International Relations and Minister Responsible for La Francophonie, presented Kent Nagano, musical director of the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal (OSM), with a symbolic baton paying tribute to the Orchestra’s first European tour under his direction. The event marked the OSM’s first concert in Linz.

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OSM tours Europe The Orchestre symphonique de Montréal (OSM) launched its first European tour under the direction of conductor Kent Nagano with a sold-out concert in Valencia, Spain, on April 15. The Government of Québec is a co-presenter of the six-country, 13-concert tour. Government support for the series of performances is coordinated by the Ministère des Relations internationales.

Minister Arcand’s mission to Europe Québec’s Minister of International Relations and Minister responsible for La Francophonie, Pierre Arcand, is carrying out a mission to Berlin, Munich and Linz from April 18 to 25. The Minister’s goal is to consolidate economic and political ties with Québec’s partners Germany and Upper Austria.

Québec films win awards at Sonoma International Film Festival Two Québec films were singled out for awards at this year’s Sonoma International Film Festival, held in the California town from April 1 to 5. Benoit Pilon’s The Necessities of Life, which wrapped up the festival screenings, won the jury award for Best World Feature, and Denis Villeneuve’s Next Floor took home the prize for Best Short.

Québec reaffirms it commitment to achieving the Millennium Goals At the April 15 opening of the Montréal Millennium Summit, the Minister of International Relations and Minister Responsible for La Francophonie, Pierre Arcand, reaffirmed Québec’s role in achieving the United Nations Millennium Goals. Addressing an audience of international experts, Minister Arcand noted that Québec has been a true pioneer in international solidarity for over thirty years through its recognition of the vital role civil society plays in development.

Documents from the seminar on the crisis and developing countries All documents from the seminar on the impacts the crisis is having on developing countries are available.

SNC-Lavalin awarded project management consultancy contract for an ammonia and urea complex in Vietnam Brussels - April 7, 2009 / SNC-Lavalin in Europe is pleased to announce that its Belgian subsidiary has been awarded a contract for Project Management Consultancy by PetroVietnam for a new Fertilizer Plant in the Ca Mau industrial complex, Vietnam.

Update on second year of Québec’s International Policy An update on the second year (2007-2008) of Québec’s International Policy is now available on the website of the Ministère des Relations internationales (MRI). In addition to summarizing the status of some 70 measures and initiatives set out in the 2006-2009 action plan arising from the Policy, the report confirms the value of the concerted international action taken by partner departments and agencies and emphasizes Québec’s range of action.