Minister Pierre Arcand's mission to New York and Washington. D.C. Minister of International Relations and Minister Responsible for La Francophonie Pierre Arcand visited New York and Washington, D.C. in February to promote Québec’s interests among key figures in the U.S. political, economic and institutional communities. The visit came barely a month after the inauguration of the new American administration as Québec and the U.S. endeavour to deal with the effects of the global economic crisis.

Premier Charest discusses trade and economic cooperation at Harvard Québec Premier Jean Charest was in Boston on February 23 to discuss trade and economic cooperation at Harvard University’s Weatherhead Center for International Affairs. The Premier took part in the seminar as part of the Canada Seminars series, at the invitation of Québec sociologist Gérard Bouchard, currently a guest professor at the research centre.

Canadian Front 2009 at MoMA March 18 through 23 The sixth edition of Canadian Front, MoMA's annual showcase of new Canadian cinema, kicks off March 18 with the New York premiere of Benoit Pilon’s Ce qu'il faut pour vivre (The Necessities of Life), one of five Québécois films featured and Canada's official entry in the Best Foreign Language Film category at this year's Academy Awards.

Artexte makes a donation to the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Library Following an agreement with the Thomas J. Watson Library of the Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York), Artexte, a documentation center on contemporary art based in Montreal, is donating more than 300 publications on Canadian and Quebecois contemporary art of the 20th and 21st century. This donation of titles, consisting primarily of exhibition catalogues and monographs, will in turn enhance the representation of Canadian artists in this important international resource.

Premier Charest at Harvard Québec Premier Jean Charest travelled to Boston on February 23 to give a speech as part of the Canada Seminars series organized by Harvard University’s Weatherhead Center for International Affairs. The Premier took part in the seminar at the invitation of sociologist Gérard Bouchard, currently a guest professor at the prestigious research centre.

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.

Québec and Japan sign second nanotechnology agreement Close to 100 people, including a number of representatives of Québec companies and research centres, attended the official signing of a cooperation agreement between NanoQuébec and Nagano Techno Foundation, in Nagano on February 16. The agreement is aimed at promoting nanotechnology development. The Délégation générale du Québec à Tokyo (Québec government office in Tokyo) was also represented at the signing ceremony, held during Nanotechnology Week in Japan.

New Grammy museum renamed for producer Pierre Cossette The Grammy Museum in Los Angeles was renamed in honor of Pierre Cossette, the Québec-born producer who brought the awards show to television and contributed to make it the mega-successful event it is today.

2009 Hector Fabre award: call for candidates Created in 1999, the Hector Fabre award provides recognition for a regional organization that has deployed a project with an international impact for its region. This year, to underline the tenth anniversary of the Hector Fabre award, the Ministère des Relations internationales will also present the Alphonse and Dorimène Desjardins award to an individual whose achievements are recognized beyond Québec’s borders. The application deadline for both awards is April 13.

Sherbrooke to host International Forum on Integrated Water Management Some 90 guest speakers and 500 participants from a dozen countries will be converging on Sherbrooke in June for the International Forum on Integrated Water Management. The Ministère des Relations internationales is associated with the event, which will be an opportunity for experts, economic stakeholders and political decision-makers to discuss water management issues in a setting conducive to the development of international partnerships.

Mission to Paris: Minister Arcand focuses on economy and Francophonie Pierre Arcand, Minister of International Relations and Minister responsible for La Francophonie, has said that he is very pleased with his discussions in Paris during the first leg of his mission to Europe.

Québec universities launch branding campaign in France Pierre Arcand, Minister of International Relations and Minister responsible for La Francophonie, addressed approximately 150 guests at the launch of the Québec university branding campaign on February 3 at Québec’s Government Office in Paris.

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.

Davos: Dialogue with world leaders to help Québec bounce back Premier Jean Charest, accompanied by Minister of Economic Development, Innovation and Export Trade Raymond Bachand, began a three-day mission to Davos, Switzerland, on January 29. The purpose of the trip is to promote investments in Québec and work toward the creation of an economic partnership between Canada and European Union. Premier Charest and Minister Bachand are also taking part in the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum, attended by economic and political leaders from around the world.

Minister Beauchamp welcomes President Obama’s decision on climate change The Minister of Sustainable Development, Environment and Parks, Line Beauchamp, is pleased by U.S. President Barack Obama's decision to set new federal standards for passenger vehicle fuel consumption. On January 26, President Obama also announced his intention to grant a request by California and other states to adopt and impose greenhouse gas emissions standards for passenger vehicles that exceed U.S. federal requirements.

Minister of Culture Christine St-Pierre in New York Christine St-Pierre, Minister of Culture, Communications and the Status of Women, took part in a cultural mission to New York from January 8 to 10. She was very pleased with the success of her mission and returned with a renewed belief that assistance programs in support of performing art exports are essential.

Site specific choreography by Tedi Tafel at Performance Mix Festival in New York Experimental choreographers from Québec will take part in the 23rd edition of the Performance Mix Festival in New York from February 24 to March 7, 2009.

Cirque Eloize’s Nebbia kicks off major U.S. tour Combining theatre, rhythmics, acrobatics, circus acts and poetry, Nebbia (Italian for fog) explores the world of dreams and the imagination. The fog takes center stage: a fog in which everything becomes possible and in which “the sky descends like a mantle to cover our shoulders and protect our dreams.”

CFA to hold first activity in Louisiana The Centre de la francophonie des Amériques (CFA) is holding its first activity in the United States. Under a partnership with a Québec organization called ASTER and the City of Lafayette, activities will be held in over a dozen Louisiana schools from January 20 to February 10. About 1,500 students will take part in French-language workshops on astronomy and introduction to science. The workshops are being held as part of UNESCO’s International Year of Astronomy (IYA 2009).

Christine St-Pierre completes a successful cultural mission to New York Christine St-Pierre, Minister of Culture, Communications and the Status of Women, took part in a cultural mission to New York from January 8 to 10. She was very pleased with the success of her mission and returned with a renewed belief that assistance programs in support of performing art exports are essential.