First International Education Week in Canada: November 15–19, 2004

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Toronto, November 12, 2004 -- Ministers of education are pleased to support International Education Week (IEW), which will take place for the first time in Canada this year. The purpose of International Education Week is to raise awareness in participating countries of the benefits of international education. During the week of November 15–19, Canada, through provincial and territorial ministries and departments of education, will join 85 other countries to strengthen our understanding of international education and its significant benefits to all Canadians.

All levels of education in Canada benefit greatly from exchanges with other countries, just as they benefit from exchanges with representatives of school, college and university networks in the provinces and territories..

“Education is becoming internationalized; it is inescapable,” remarked the Chair of CMEC, the Honourable Pierre Reid. “Mastery of technologies, learning languages, and openness to other cultures have become an indispensable part of education. Our education systems must adapt to this reality and adjust to what is happening elsewhere in the world. The presence in Canada of students, researchers, and teachers from other countries constitutes a richness mirrored by the presence of Canadians in other countries. As ministers of education, we support activities that highlight the internationalization of education.”.

IEW in Canada is a reflection of the spirit of cooperation and collaboration from the various members of education communities across Canada, who have joined forces to highlight the importance of international education. International Education Week is designed to showcase the importance of international education in preparing Canadians to live and succeed in a global world in order to engage effectively on the international stage.

More information can be found on the International Education Week Web site at http://www.iew-sei.ca.

CMEC is an intergovernmental body composed of the ministers responsible for elementary-secondary and advanced education from the provinces and territories. Through CMEC, ministers share information and undertake projects in areas of mutual interest and concern.

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Information
Sheila Molloy
Tel.: (416) 962-8100, ext. 247
E-mail
Web site: www.cmec.ca/