November 28, 2003OTTAWA – Her Excellency the Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson, Governor General of Canada, will launch a program entitled "Meeting the World at School" at Adrienne Clarkson Elementary School in Ottawa on Monday, December 1, 2003, at 11 a.m.The "Meeting the World at School" program, organized by the Ottawa Diplomatic Association, will introduce students to the history and culture of various countries through their history and social studies courses at selected schools across the region. This year, students at Adrienne Clarkson Elementary School will learn about Thailand.His Excellency Suvidhya Simaskul, Ambassador of Thailand to Canada, will say a few words. A presentation of Thai music and dance, performed by the Thai Association of Ottawa Cultural Centre, will follow. Governor General Clarkson will also deliver short remarks."The joy of learning about cultures will enrich children's lives and help them to understand that the world is fascinating and worth exploring," said the Governor General. "I am delighted that the Ottawa Diplomatic Association, under the leadership of Her Excellency Veronika Stabej, Ambassador of Slovenia to Canada, has taken the initiative to present different aspects of the world to children, and I look forward to taking part in the launch."This will be Governor General Clarkson's second visit to Adrienne Clarkson Elementary School. In 2002, after accepting the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board's offer that the school carry her name, the Governor General opened the new building south of Ottawa. The school offers programs in both early French immersion and the regular English-language stream for children from junior kindergarten to grade 6.-30-Media Information: Rideau Hall Press Office (613) 998-7280 or (613) 993-8157 Event Information: Ottawa-Carleton District School Board Joan Fulcher (613) 596-8211, ext. 8829 Adrienne Clarkson Elementary School 170 Stoneway Drive
