Ambassador Rishchynski visits Gramado to attend the International Congress of ABECAN

On November 9-10, 2005, Ambassador Guillermo Rishchynski attended the 8th biennial International Congress of the Brazilian Association of Canadian Studies (ABECAN), in Gramado, Rio Grande do Sul. ABECAN, created in 1991, is currently chaired by Professor Nubia Jacques Hanciau of the Fundacao Universidade Federal do Rio Grande (FURG). The Gramado Congress was attended by over 400 students and professors of Canadian studies, including a number of guest panellists from Canada and other countries. In his remarks at the opening ceremonies, Ambassador Rishchynski highlighted the important role that academic exchanges had to play in the development of closer relations and greater mutual understanding at all levels between Canada and Brazil.

Ambassador Guillermo Rishchynski

From left to right: Mrs. Sílvia Reis, Canadian Embassy's Public Diplomacy and Education Officer, The Honorable Dr. Pedro Henrique Bertolucci, Mayor of the city of Gramado in the State of Rio Grande do Sul, Dean Carlos Cousin, Federal University of Rio Grande Foundation, Prof. Dr. Zilá Bernd, President of International Council of Canadian Studies, Prof. Dr. Nubia Tourrucôo Jacques Hanciau, President of the Brazilian Association of Canadian Studies, The Honorable Guillermo Rishchynski, Ambassador of Canada.