October 4, 2007
OTTAWATheir Excellencies the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada, and Jean-Daniel Lafond will be in Prague, Czech Republic, from October 7 to 9, 2007, for Forum 2000. The Governor General will deliver the conference's opening speech and take part in plenary sessions.
The Forum 2000 was founded in 1996 as a joint initiative of then-Czech President Václav Havel, Japanese philanthropist Yohei Sasakawa, and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Elie Wiesel. These conferences are forums for reflection and dialogue on the challenges society is currently facing and the prevention of religious, cultural and ethnic conflicts. This year's theme is "Freedom and Responsibility," and participants include the Honourable Kim Campbell, former Prime Minister of Canada, Madeleine Albright, former U.S. Secretary of State, Christiane Amanpour, international correspondent for CNN, and a number of other key figures.
At the same time, His Excellency Jean-Daniel Lafond has been invited to present his film, American Fugitive: The Truth About Hassan, at the Prague Film Academy. After screening the film, students, filmmakers, and professors will take part in a discussion on film and cinematography.
Their Excellencies' visit will end with a meeting with President Václav Klaus. There have been diplomatic ties between Canada and the Czech Republic since 1920.
Here is an itinerary of the public events planned:
Sunday, October 7
7:00 p.m.Opening ceremony of the Forum 2000 ConferenceThe Governor General will give a speech at the opening ceremony, which is entitled "Freedom and responsibility."Prague Crossroads (former St. Anne's Church)OPEN TO MEDIA
Monday, October 8
10:00 a.m.Forum 2000 conferenceThe Governor General will take part in a number of the conference's plenary sessions.Location will vary according to session OPEN TO MEDIA
3:00 p.m.Screening of American Fugitive: The Truth About Hassan and discussion Their Excellencies will attend a screening of the film American Fugitive: The Truth About Hassan by His Excellency Jean-Daniel Lafond, and then take part in a discussion on cinematography and the common challenge of presenting fiction versus reality. Prague Film Academy, Smetanovo, nábřeži 2, 116 65 Prague 1OPEN TO MEDIA
Tuesday, October 9
10:00 a.m.Forum 2000 conferenceThe Governor General will take part in a number of the conference's plenary sessions.Location will vary according to session OPEN TO MEDIA
12:30 p.m.Private meeting with President Václav KlausThe Governor General and the Czech President will hold a private meeting to discuss the important ties that exist between Canada and the Czech Republic.Prague CastlePHOTO OPPORTUNITY
For more information on the Forum 2000 conference, please visit http://www.forum2000.cz/.
- 30 -
Media informationIsabelle SerrurierRideau Hall Press Office 613-998-7280
Marthe BlouinPress Secretary to the Governor General 613-993-0397
www.gg.cawww.citizenvoices.gg.ca
