News Release Archive
EDUCATION/CULTURE--Minister to Attend UNESCO Conference
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Education and Culture Minister Robbie Harrison joins Canada's
ambassador to UNESCO, Jacques Demers, in leading the Canadian
delegation during education debates of the 29th UNESCO General
Conference in Paris, Nov. 3-6.
This is the second time in less than a year the Council of
Ministers of Education Canada (CMEC) has selected the Nova Scotia
minister to represent Canadian education at an international
forum.
"Canada is well-respected around the world for excellence in
education, and education is an engine for social progress and
economic development," Mr. Harrison said. "By sharing our
experiences with UNESCO, Canada and other member states make a
difference. I am honoured to be a part of the team."
Canada is one of more than 180 member states of UNESCO --the
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.
UNESCO was established at the end of the Second World War to
create the foundations of peace through intellectual activity.
CMEC has a continuing relationship with UNESCO. CMEC sits on the
Council of the International Bureau of Education, works with the
Canadian Commission for UNESCO, and produces country reports on
various topics, ranging from the role of teachers in a changing
world to adult education.
As the federal government sponsors Canada's participation in the
UNESCO conference, this presents an added opportunity for Mr.
Harrison to market Nova Scotia and its education system in other
parts of Europe.
"I have one message to deliver," said Mr. Harrison, who will
travel to Sweden and Iceland after the conference. "Nova Scotia's
education system is among the best in the world --and our doors
are open."
In Sweden, Mr. Harrison will meet with the governor of Norrland
(four northern provinces), the Canadian ambassador, the state
secretary for higher education, news media, and the Swedish
Employer's Federation, which is interested in employee training
and represents 120,000 companies.
In Iceland, Mr. Harrison meets with Education Minister Bjorn
Bjarnason, Trade and Commerce Minister Finnur Ingolfsson,
officials from leading universities and colleges, and Oern
Ragnarsson, who will head a teachers' delegation to Nova Scotia
next year.
A partnership among universities, employers, governments and
tourism operators in Nova Scotia and western Europe is one item
on the agenda. The partnership would promote "learning vacation,"
one of the fastest-growing segments of the tourism market.
Learning vacations are an excellent incentive for employees to
upgrade their skills while learning about and enjoying another
part of the world.
Mr. Harrison will also help "open the doors," as a Halifax-based
technology company establishes European headquarters in
Stockholm. Knowledge Navigators of Halifax, in partnership with
WorldNav Learning Systems Inc., is developing Learning Engine
technology needed to run large interactive web-based education
and training campuses. The Halifax Regional School Board is also
a Knowledge Navigator partner, as the technology has applications
at both the public school and post-secondary levels.
Solid business links already exist between Sweden and Nova Scotia
through companies such as Stora, Volvo and Atlantic Container
Lines. As just one example, Stora is investing $750 million in
its Port Hawkesbury operations.
As well, agreements already in place with Icelandair and Air
Canada give Nova Scotia a growing competitive advantage, with
better air travel connections to Scandinavia than any other
province. Educational and cultural partnerships can reinforce
these economic links.
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Contact: Donna MacDonald
Education and Culture
902-424-2615
E-mail: macdondc@gov.ns.ca
ngr Oct. 31, 1997 4:05 p.m.
