June 29, 2007
OTTAWATheir Excellencies the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada, and Jean-Daniel Lafond will conduct a State visit to Brazil from July 6 to July 15, 2007. At the request of the Prime Minister, the Governor General will represent Canada and lead a delegation of Canadians representing youth, culture and international development to Salvador, Brasilia and Sao Paulo. The visit will conclude in Rio de Janeiro where Their Excellencies will attend the official opening of the XV Pan American Games and support Canadian athletes during the competitions.
Friday, July 6Salvador
Evening Official arrival in Salvador, Brazil with local dignitariesOPEN TO MEDIA
Saturday, July 7Salvador
9 a.m.Guided Walking Tour of Pelourinho, historic centre of SalvadorSalvador's historical centre called Pelourinho or the Pillary is a UNESCO-designated World Heritage Site and is full of colourful colonial architecture, magnificent old houses, the nation's first medical school (which now houses the Afro-Brazilian Museum) and Brazil's oldest cathedral (1572) in addition to a plethora of other churches, many of which feature significant works of art. The Afro-Brazilian Museum was opened in 1982 as a joint venture between the Federal Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Culture, the State Government of Bahia, the City of Salvador and the Federal University of Bahia. Its purpose is to celebrate and disseminate information on Brazil's African culture, history and linkages. OPEN TO MEDIA
11:15 a.m.Visit to Olodum SchoolOlodum is an internationally acclaimed Afro-Brazilian cultural group from Salvador which highlights African heritage and black pride through music, dance, theatre and art. Olodum is dedicated to cultural activism in the struggle against racial discrimination and socioeconomic inequality. The Olodum School is where the organisation train and work with children and adolescents.OPEN TO MEDIA
2 p.m.Visit to GAPA-BahiaGAPA-BA or Support Group for the Prevention of AIDS in Bahia was founded in 1988 by a group of volunteers from diverse backgrounds. These students and professionals considered the AIDS epidemic a serious threat to society as a whole, rather than a problem concerning only the few distinct populations initially affected. CIDA was the first international organization to support GAPA-BA when it was still a young organization. In 1991, the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI) supported the installation of an HIV/AIDS Hotline. While the hotline is no longer active, as the face and dimensions of HIV/AIDS changed over the intervening years, the project was instrumental in launching the organization and opening the first awareness-raising activities on the issue in Brazil's more impoverished Northeast. GAPA-BA is now the largest AIDS prevention organization in all of Brazil. The visit includes a theatrical presentation by the youth volunteers and an HIV/AIDS hip-hop presentation also written and choreographed by the youth volunteers.ARRIVAL OF THE GOVERNOR GENERAL OPEN TO MEDIA, REMARKS AT NEARBY OUTDOOR PUBLIC PLAZA OPEN TO MEDIA
5:30 p.m.Panel Discussion and Debate on "Film as a Force for Social Change: Accommodating diversity in Canada and Brazil" at the Solar do Unhão Cultural CentreWith a focus on film as a force for social change, the proposed theme of the debate would be on the importance of inclusion and accommodating diversity in the Canadian and Brazilian contexts. The evening will conclude with a reception including traditional Bahian music, dance, and cuisine. The Solar do Unhão Cultural Centre will screen two Canadian films on these topics leading up to the event: Tropique Nord by His Excellency Jean-Daniel Lafond and Âme noire/Black Soul by animator, Martine Chartand. OPEN TO MEDIA
Sunday, July 8Salvador
9 :50 a.m.Visit to Associação de Pequenos Pintores de Arte NaifThe mandate of the Association of Young Painters of Naïve Art is to contribute to the socio-economic insertion of youth from the slum (favela) of Barbalho by offering training and courses in painting, graphic design and sewing as well as the business skills necessary to start cooperatives and other micro-businesses. CIDA, through the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives, supported the purchase of computers and sewing machines as well as the renovations and equipment purchases necessary to upgrade the capacity of the Association to offer the courses and training.OPEN TO MEDIA
Monday, July 9Salvador
9:30 a.m.Courtesy Call on the State Governor of Bahia PHOTO OP
11 a.m.Discussion with students and faculty in Canadian Studies at Federal University of BahiaThe Governor General will meet with the Rector of the Federal University of Bahia (UFBA), the President of the Brazilian Association of Canadian Studies (ABECAN), teachers and students involved in Canadian Studies from three universities. ABECAN's objectives are to promote the union of people interested in studying Canadian culture, science and technology and its interfaces with Brazil; to promote the integration of knowledge and to strengthening the study and dissemination of Canadian studies; to serve as a point of knowledge for interested parties, whether national or international; and to stimulate cooperation and exchanges of studies and research in areas of common interest culture, education, science and technology between Canada and Brazil. There are currently fifteen ABECAN centres located across Brazil. The visit will include a short presentation by some of the students on why Canadian Studies interest them and a roundtable discussion with teachers and students on a theme illustrative of our common values, i.e., immigration traditions; equality rights; respect for diversity.OPEN TO MEDIA
1:20 p.m.ÀMeeting with Mayor of Salvador PHOTO OP
Tuesday, July 10São Paulo
10 a.m.His Excellency−Art Matters Roundtable discussion on the arts and new technologies at Paço das Artes, the new media museum at the University of Sao Paulo. Created in 1970 and linked to the Sao Paulo Secretariat of Culture, the Paço das Artes is a large multi-disciplinary art gallery that promotes cultural action programs by means of exhibitions and publications that cover all segments of visual arts: art, graphic arts, design, and multimedia, collaborating effectively for the reflection of domestic and international contemporary art.OPEN TO MEDIA
12 p.m.Governor General's Address to the Brazil-Canada Chamber of CommerceThe Brazil-Canada Chamber of Commerce will host a luncheon where the Governor General will be the keynote speaker. The Chamber of Commerce has about 80 active members. The Chamber's objective is to be the "business centre" for Brazilian and Canadian companies and to promote Canada in Brazil, as well as Brazil in Canada. They house a Centre for Arbitration. At the conclusion of the luncheon, the Governor General will unveil a plaque, to be installed later at the Consulate, marking the 60th anniversary of the Canadian Consulate General in Sao Paulo and underlining the longevity of the trade relationship with Brazil.OPEN TO MEDIA
2:45 p.m.Courtesy Call on the State Governor of São PauloPHOTO OP
Wednesday, July 11Brasilia
11:30 a.m.Official Welcoming Ceremony on the grounds of the Palacio de PlanaltoOPEN TO MEDIA
11:45 a.m.Meeting with President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva PHOTO OP, MEDIA STATEMENT
12:30 p.m.State luncheon hosted by President of the Federative Republic of Brazil at Presidential PalacePHOTO OP
2:35 p.m.Meeting with Supreme Federal Tribunal Chief Justice Ellen GracieOPEN TO MEDIA
Thursday, July 12Rio de Janeiro
5 p.m.Flag-raising ceremony followed by informal dinner with Canadian Athletes at Pan American games Athletes VillageGAMES OPEN TO ACCREDITED MEDIA
Friday, July 13Rio de Janeiro
10:15 a.m.Visit with Afro Reggae representatives and cultural performances Afro Reggae is a high-profile Rio-based NGO that has, through its cultural programmes (particularly music), provided youth from favelas options other than a life of crime and drugs. The group initially received important seed money from Canada. One of its numerous projects involves a partnership with the Cirque du Monde network which receives support from the Cirque du Soleil. Afro Reggae is in great demand and recently opened the Rio concert by the Rolling Stones. This summer it will travel to Europe and will also perform at the Toronto Harbourfront. The visit will include meeting youth participants and attending a performance by Afro Reggae and its Cirque du Monde component. OPEN TO MEDIA
5:30 p.m.Official Opening of the XV Pan-American GamesGAMES OPEN TO ACCREDITED MEDIA
Saturday, July 14Rio de Janeiro
10 a.m.Meeting with Brazilian civil society representatives on social exclusion and urban violenceEleven groups representing key sectors of civil society will participate including Viva Rio (Reubem Fernandes), Afro Reggae (Jose Junior, Eve Belanger ), IBASE (Candido Grybowski), and Daniel Souza. VIVA RIO is a Brazilian NGOs involved in a range of projects: micro-credit for favela dwellers; radio stations; training courses for military police; sports programme for vulnerable youth; work with children in organised armed violence.OPENING REMARKS OPEN TO MEDIA
Afternoon/Evening Governor General to attend sporting events at Pan American Games in support of Canadian athletesGAMES OPEN TO ACCREDITED MEDIA
Sunday, July 15Rio de Janeiro
10:30 a.m.Visit to Crescer e Viver, a Cirque du Monde project supported by the Canada Fund Crescer e Viver ("To Grow and Learn") is a young NGO (founded in 2000) with the mission to promote the development of children and teenagers at risk living in favelas through training in educational, leisurely, artistic, and cultural activities. It aims to draw youth away from a life of violence and from the reach of the ever-present traficantes. The group also works to supplement the very poor quality of the public education provided to youth. Crescer e Viver is small and directly works with about 170 children every year with a team of social workers, psychologists and educators. Through its circus performances at its home base and in favelas throughout Rio, it gives its message of inclusion to a much broader audience.OPEN TO MEDIA
5 p.m. Wreath-laying at World War II Memorial Visit to the Museum of the World War II Memorial.OPEN TO MEDIA
The itinerary is subject to change. For further information on the State visit, please click on http://www.gg.ca/gg/rr/sv/brazil_e.asp.
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Media Information
Lucie Caron613-993-8158
Isabelle Serrurier613-998-7280
www.gg.cawww.citizenvoices.gg.ca
