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.

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.

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.

Next season, Québec artists will shine on New York’s greatest stages This fall, Québec artists will once again be in the spotlight on New York City’s greatest stages.

French/Québec Fund for Decentralized Cooperation (FFQCD): call for projects The deadline for submitting projects to the French/Québec Fund for Decentralized Cooperation (FFQCD) is April 30. The Fund provides French and Québec partners with matching financing for innovative joint projects aimed at fostering local development. Projects may be socio-economic or cultural in nature or relate to sustainable development.

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.

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.

La Francophonie’s Demographic and Statistical Observatory set to begin operations The memorandum of agreement creating La Francophonie’s Demographic and Statistical Observatory was ratified on March 25 in Montréal in the presence of Abdou Diouf, Secretary General of the International Francophone Organization (OIF). The Observatory’s creation stems from a pledge made by Premier Jean Charest at the 12th Francophone Summit, which was held in Québec City in October 2008.

Nudge in the right direction for upcoming entrepreneurs In the presence of Pierre Arcand, Minister of International Relations and Minister responsible for La Francophonie, the J. Armand Bombardier Foundation announced on March 9 that it was donating $100,000 to the Fondation des Offices jeunesse internationaux du Québec (“Fondation LOJIQ”), to support tomorrow’s entrepreneurs. The donation provides direct assistance for young entrepreneurs who deploy a formative business project in France.

Québec City hosts International Symposium on Sustainable Tourism Development Québec City has been chosen to host the province’s first sustainable tourism event. From March 17 to 19, the International Symposium on Sustainable Tourism Development will be an opportunity for guest speakers from a number of countries and public and private players in the field of tourism development to discuss principles and practices in the field of sustainable tourism.

Québec expertise in orbit Québec was on board when the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) launched the IBUKI satellite on January 23. A team of specialists from ABB Analytical in Québec City developed a major component, crucial for the success of the space research project. At the request of NEC-Toshiba, the project’s main supplier, the team designed and perfected an interferometer. Valued at $10M, the contract is a boon for one of Québec’s high technology sectors.

France honours Jean Charest On February 2 in Paris, Nicolas Sarkozy, President of the French Republic, awarded Jean Charest, Premier of Québec, with the insignia of Commander of the Legion of Honour.

Québec to be guest of honour at Showcase Scotland Showcase Scotland, an annual high-profile venue for traditional Scottish music, has selected Québec as this year’s guest of honour. The event will take place at the end of the month in Glasgow in conjunction with Celtic Connections, Scotland’s biggest traditional music festival. Six groups will be performing for a Scottish audience and some 200 delegates, broadcasters, theatrical agents and distributers during an event dubbed Spotlight Québec.

Business Opportunities for Québec companies at the London Olympics The London Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2012 represents a huge opportunity for businesses around the world. From catering, to construction; business services to transport infrastructure, companies across all sectors should now start to think about how they can invest in London.

Quebecers on board the Ship for World Youth Two Quebecers, Émilie Grégoire and Sarah Pinchvinsky, flew to Tokyo on January 13 to take part in a 50-day voyage aboard the Nippon Maru as part of the 21st edition of the Japanese government’s Ship for World Youth program. In addition to promoting international cooperation and intercultural dialogue, the program offers a unique and rewarding experience for 250 young leaders from around the world.

Contest to encourage young people to use French How would you encourage young people around you to use French? This is the question that the Centre de la francophonie des Amériques (CFA) is asking young people in the Americas, via its “Jeunesse francophone en action” contest. To answer the question, participants have to make a clip-length video describing a stimulating project for their community, educational institution or cultural milieu.