High School Students Are Invited to Participate in the 'Dialogue on Canadian Diversity' Poetry Contest
TROIS-RIVIÈRES, February 14, 2005 -- President of the Privy Council, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, and Member of Parliament (Westmount--Ville-Marie) Lucienne Robillard, on behalf of Minister of Canadian Heritage and Minister responsible for Status of Women Liza Frulla, today invited high school students throughout Canada to take part in the Dialogue on Canadian Diversity' poetry contest. Launched by the Festival international de la poésie de Trois-Rivières, this contest requires students to write a poem in their second official language. The poem must be about diversity -- the theme chosen by Canada for the 2005 World Exposition."This poetry contest offers a wonderful opportunity for high school students from all over Canada to explore their creativity in their second official language," said Minister Robillard.
"Not everyone will have the chance to go to Japan for Expo 2005, but many fascinating initiatives and projects have been launched to ensure that Canadians can actively participate in the event," said Minister Frulla. "I encourage all high school students to enter this contest and express their thoughts on cultural diversity in their second language."
The Dialogue on Canadian Diversity' poetry contest coincides with Expo 2005, which will be held from March 25 to September 25 in Aichi, Japan. Canadians are invited to contribute in many different ways to Canada's presence at this event of international importance. They can visit the Canada Pavilion Web site at www.expo2005canada.gc.ca or take part in various projects and contests that promote Canadian participation in Expo 2005. Canada will make use of Expo 2005 to increase international awareness of the diversity, creativity and innovative spirit of Canadians.
To support the poetry contest, the Department of Canadian Heritage has provided $50,000 in funding to Fondation Les Forges over fiscal years 2004-05 and 2005-06. Financial assistance is provided through the Enhancement of Official Languages Program. Fondation Les Forges is responsible for organizing the Festival international de la poésie de Trois-Rivières.
Funding announced today was provided for in the March 2004 federal budget.
Students have until April 23, 2005 to submit their poems by e-mail at info@fiptr.com or by mail at the following address:
Festival International de la Poésie
P.O. Box 335
1497 Laviolette
Trois-Rivières, Quebec
G9A 5G4
Information:
Jean-Philippe Côté
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage
and Minister responsible for Status of Women
(819) 997-7788
Luc Desbiens
Policy Advisor
Office of the President of the Privy Council, Minister of
Intergovernmental Affairs, and Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development
(514) 496-1622
Myriam Brochu
Chief, Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
(819) 997-9314
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