Challenges and perspectives for the future in Haiti Organized jointly by Université d'État d'Haïti and Université Laval through the Institut du patrimoine culturel, an international colloquium with the theme “Heritage, cultural tourism and sustainable development in Haiti: Challenges and perspectives for the future” was held in Port-au-Prince from November 10 to 13, 2011.

Strong Québec participation in 7th UNESCO Youth Forum The 7th UNESCO Youth Forum took place from October 17 to 20 at UNESCO headquarters in Paris. Les Offices jeunesse internationaux du Québec (LOJIQ) backed the participation of a delegation of young Quebec adults, including an artist, six observers and an intern. The Forum was a chance for them to discuss opinions, share experience and identify possibilities for future commitments and efforts.

Jean Charest presents Plan Nord for former Mexican President Vicente Fox Premier Jean Charest met with former Mexican President Vicente Fox during a Symposium on Democracy, Parliamentarians and the Media organized by the Québec National Assembly. The meeting was an opportunity for Premier Charest to tell Vicente Fox about Québec’s Plan Nord (Northern Plan) and take stock of economic trade between Québec and Mexico. Mexico is a high-priority, promising market for Québec. Annual trade between the two jurisdictions adds up to $3.7 billion.

Québec and China step up cooperation in science and technology Premier Jean Charest signed a scientific and technological cooperation agreement with the People’s Republic of China, represented by Cao Jianlin, Vice Minister of Science and Technology, on October 27, 2011.

Premier Jean Charest wraps up his European mission in Germany Québec Premier Jean Charest began the last step of his 5-day mission to Europe. After a long series of economic and political meetings in London and Brussels, he will go on to Germany to promote the Plan Nord and Québec’s economic strengths.

Quebecer gets star on Hollywood Walk of Fame Cirque du Soleil President and Co-Founder Guy Laliberté now has his own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The unveiling ceremony was held on Hollywood Boulevard, Los Angeles.

Profitable mission to Farnborough Some 20 Québec companies, joined by Clément Gignac, Minister of Economic Development, Innovation and Export Trade, took part in the UK’s Farnborough International Airshow, which ran from July 19-25.

Successful official visit to France Premier Jean Charest and International Relations Minister Pierre Arcand gave a positive account of their official working visit to Paris on June 29-30.

Québec Premier visits France Premier Jean Charest will be undertaking an official visit to France on June 29-30, accompanied by Pierre Arcand, Minister of International Relations and Minister Responsible for La Francophonie. The visit will focus on major bilateral and multilateral issues of concern to Québec and France.

Québec-Mexico: forging stronger bilateral ties Montréal provided the setting for Premier Jean Charest’s first official meeting with Mexican President Felipe Calderon on May 28 during Mr. Calderon’s two-day visit to Canada. They were joined by Mexico’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Patricia Espinosa, as well as by the Ministers of the Economy, Transport, Communications and Tourism. Pierre Arcand, Quebec’s Minister of International Relations and Minister Responsible for La Francophonie, also attended.

Meeting with India’s Minister of Road Transport and Highways Pierre Arcand, Minister of International Relations and Minister Responsible for La Francophonie, met with Kamal Nath, India’s Minister of Road Transport and Highways, in Montréal on March 26. They discussed follow-up action stemming from the Premier’s mission to India in February, in addition to enhanced cooperation in areas such as research and innovation.

Jean Charest in Washington: mission accomplished Premier Jean Charest visited the US capital from February 19-21 as part of a mission undertaken by the Council of the Federation, in conjunction with the winter meeting of the National Governors Association (NGA).

Copenhagen: Québec enters into multiple alliances Premier Jean Charest and Line Beauchamp, Minister of Sustainable Development, Environment and Parks, outlined the initiatives undertaken by Québec at the 15th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.

25th Ministerial Conference of La Francophonie a success The Minister of International Relations and Minister responsible for La Francophonie, Pierre Arcand, was delighted with the outcome of the work accomplished at the 25th Ministerial Conference of La Francophonie (CMF), which ended on December 16 in Paris.

French at the 2010 Vancouver Games Pascal Couchepin, the Grand Témoin de la Francophonie for the 2010 Vancouver Olympic and Paralympic Games and former President of the Swiss Confederation was in Québec City on November 24. The Grand Témoin has been tasked by the Secretary General of la Francophonie, Abdou Diouf, to observe the role and use of the French language during the Olympic Games in accordance with Article 24 of the Olympic Charter which gives French official language status.

Climate change: Québec targets a 20 % reduction in emissions by 2020 On November 23, Premier Jean Charest and Minister of Sustainable Development, Environment and Parks, Line Beauchamp, unveiled Québec’s target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) by the year 2020. By targeting a 20% reduction below 1990 levels, Québec has set a goal similar to the target established by the European Union thus becoming the leader in the fight against climate change.

I Killed My Mother hits Hollywood The Québec film industry’s discovery of the year, J’ai tué ma mère (I Killed My Mother), by Xavier Dolan, screened in Hollywood on November 3 as part of the AFI FEST 2009 official competition. The film’s American premiere was held in the mythical Chinese Theatre in the presence of actors François Arnaud and Patricia Tulasne.

The essential role federated states play in the fight against climate change In a video interview for L'Express.fr, Québec’s Minister of Sustainable Development, Environment and Parks, Line Beauchamp, described the concerted effort of federated states, including Québec, to have their essential role recognized in the text of the next United Nations agreement on climate change.

Minister Arcand salutes appointments of John Parisella and Robert Keating The Minister of International Relations and Minister Responsible for La Francophonie, Mr. Pierre Arcand, salutes the appointment of Mr. John Parisella as the new Québec Delegate General in New York and that of Mr. Robert Keating as Assistant Deputy Minister of International Relations beginning November 16, 2009.

Ingrid Betancourt visits Québec Ingrid Betancourt is visiting Québec at the invitation of Premier Jean Charest. On September 23, she received the Medal of Honour in the National Assembly.