QUÉBEC-Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada, will be in the City of Québec during la Francophonie Summit from October 17 to 19, 2008. As part of this summit, she will welcome all official delegations attending the opening ceremony. Her Excellency and the Secretary General of la Francophonie, His Excellency Abdou Diouf, will receive the Francophonie Youth's Call to Action, which was written by youth from the countries of la Francophonie. The Governor General of Canada will also welcome heads of State and Government at the Residence of the Governor General at the Citadelle of Québec.
Listed below are the Governor General's official activities:
Friday, October 17
4:15 to 7:15 p.m.
Official welcome of heads of State and Government at the opening ceremony of la Francophonie Summit
As Head of State, the Governor General of Canada will welcome dignitaries attending the opening ceremony of la Francophonie Summit.
Hilton Québec, Ballroom, 1100 René-Lévesque Blvd. East
Open to media
Sunday, October 19
Noon
Lunch in honour of the President of Algeria
Their Excellencies will host a lunch in honour of His Excellency Abdelaziz Bouteflika, President of the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria, and his delegation, on the occasion of la Francophonie Summit.
Closed to media - Official photos of the lunch will be available upon request
3 p.m.
Reception in honour of the African Heads of delegation
Her Excellency will welcome Heads of delegation from Africa attending la Francophonie Summit.
Residence of the Governor General at the Citadelle of Québec
Official photographers only
5 p.m.
Official Presentation of the Francophonie Youth's Call to Action
The Governor General of Canada and the Secretary General of la Francophonie, His Excellency Abdou Diouf, will receive an official declaration from representatives of the national youth councils of all the countries of la Francophonie. The Call to Action will outline recommendations related to the main themes that will be addressed at la Francophonie Summit. It will also reflect the discussions the representatives held with the Governor General during youth dialogues that Her Excellency hosted in the City of Québec over the summer.
Throughout her mandate, the Governor General has identified youth as one of her major priorities. For more information on the youth program, visit www.gg.ca/gg/youth/index_e.asp.
Residence of the Governor General at the Citadelle of Québec
Open to media
5:15 p.m.
Presentation of the Prix RFI-Reporters sans frontières-OIF 2008
As patron of the Reporters sans frontières Canada organization, the Governor General will award, in the presence of His Excellency Abdou Diouf and other distinguished guests, the Prix RFI-Reporters sans frontières-OIF 2008 to two laureate journalists: Mr. Cheick Yvhane (Ivory Coast), recipient of the Prix "Jean Hélène" in the radio category, and Mr. Virgil Houessou (Benin), from the print media category.
This award encourages and showcases the journalistic talent in countries part of the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie, as well as promotes them on the international scene. It honours the best news stories on human rights in two categories: Print Media and Radio (Prix "Jean Hélène").
Residence of the Governor General at the Citadelle of Québec
Open to media
7:00 p.m.
Dinner in honour of the President of Haiti
Their Excellencies will host a dinner in honour of His Excellency Robert Garcia Préval, President of the Republic of Haiti, and his delegation, on the occasion of la Francophonie Summit.
Closed to media - Official photos of the dinner will be available upon request
Monday, October 20
10:30 a.m.
Presentation of the Médaillon commémoratif du 400e to Their Excellencies
The President of the Société du 400e, Mr. Jean Leclerc, will award the medallion to Their Excellencies for their contribution to and participation in the celebrations in honour of the 400th anniversary of the founding of the city of Québec.
Residence of the Governor General at the Citadelle of Québec
Open to media
-30-
Media InformationMarie-Ève Létourneau
Press Office
613-998-0287
613-302-0912 (cell)
meletourneau@gg.ca
Marthe Blouin
Official Spokesperson to the Governor General of Canada
613-301-3379 (cell)
mblouin@gg.ca
www.gg.ca
www.citizenvoices.gg.ca
