LOJIQ and the Assembly of European Regions sign a joint declaration On May 6, Québec’s International Youth Offices (LOJIQ) reached an agreement with the Assembly of European Regions (AER) aimed at facilitating the international mobility of young people in Québec and the AER member regions. A joint declaration to this effect was signed in the National Assembly by LOJIQ director Alfred Pilon and AER president Michèle Sabban.

Charles Aznavour receives Québec’s Ordre national award During his recent visit to Montréal for a series of concerts at Place des Arts, French singer Charles Aznavour was made an Officer of the National Order of Québec. His award was presented by Premier Jean Charest on April 25.

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 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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

Jean-Pierre Ferland honoured on International Francophone Day In conjunction with International Francophone Day (March 20), Pierre Arcand, Minister of International Relations and Minister Responsible for La Francophonie, paid tribute to singer, songwriter and performer Jean-Pierre Ferland for his outstanding contributions to the French language and Québec culture on the international stage.

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.

62nd session of the Commission permanente de coopération franco-québécoise The meetings of the 62nd session of the Commission permanente de coopération franco-québécoise (CPCFQ – France-Québec permanent commission) were held in Paris on March 3 and 4 and co-chaired by Québec’s Deputy Minister of International Relations, Alain Cloutier, and the Director General of Globalization, Development and Partnerships of France’s Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, Christian Masset. The CPCFQ is the main organization that coordinates activities between Québec and French administrations.

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.

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.

Internship at the National Assembly on offer In collaboration with the National Assembly of Québec, the International Association of Québec Studies (IAQS) is once again this year offering a student from outside Québec the opportunity to complete an internship in that institution. The goal of this internship is to allow a foreign student to apply the knowledge and skills acquired in his or her studies and improve his or her knowledge of Québec, its parliamentary institutions and its democratic practices.