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<html> <head> <meta name="Generator" content="Corel WordPerfect 8"> <title>MR. GRAHAM - ADDRESS TO THE CANADIAN EDUCATION CENTRES NETWORK - OTTAWA, ONTARIO</title> </head> <body text="#000000" link="#0000ff" vlink="#551a8b" alink="#ff0000" bgcolor="#c0c0c0"> CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY NOTES FOR AN ADDRESS BY THE HONOURABLE BILL GRAHAM, MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS, TO THE CANADIAN EDUCATION CENTRES NETWORK OTTAWA, Ontario December 2, 2002 I would like to thank Rodney Briggs and the other organizers for the opportunity to speak here today at the opening of your conference. Your theme of "Bringing Canadian Education to the World" reflects one of my most important priorities as Minister of Foreign Affairs, promoting Canadian values and culture. Education marketing is often thought of as a trade issue, but I believe the importance of establishing Canada as the destination of choice for international students goes far beyond these commercial considerations, as important as they are. In fact, it is essential to how we are seen in the world, and how we can act within it. As you said, Rodney, Canada has an extraordinary brand. Yet we do not do enough to promote it abroad. The projection of one's national image--as expressed through a nation's culture, knowledge and values--is increasingly important in contemporary international relations and diplomacy. Whether a country needs to build international coalitions against terrorism, cooperate to protect the environment, or attract investment and skilled labour, influencing foreign public opinion, is critical to national success. Reaching out to citizens in other countries--public diplomacy--is now as important as talking to their governments. Attracting international students is a key part of this public diplomacy. It provides an opportunity for Canada to build bridges to future leaders, to expand our educational services and products and to project our values. A notable example of an alumnus of Canadian education was his Imperial Highness Prince Takamado of Japan. Many of us were deeply saddened when we heard that he passed away suddenly less than two weeks ago. Since his studies at Queen's University, Prince Takamado had been a true champion of Canada, and his admiration of this country inspired him to personally devote himself to promoting closer ties between Canada and Japan. As a member of the Imperial Family, Prince Takamado's patronage brought a high profile to many Canadian initiatives. Thanks to his close personal ties throughout the years with Canada's ambassadors to Japan, the embassy was often honoured by his presence at business, cultural and social events. His passing at only 47 years old was a great loss. Prince Takamado's legacy for Canada consists in the image of our country that he so often imparted to the Japanese people--and again, this legacy first grew out of his studies here. Following him, many Japanese students have come to Canada to pursue their education and have come away with a similar appreciation of our values and culture. Students today will make the world of tomorrow. What they know, how well they know each other and the world, their values, ideals, and aspirations--all of these will determine international relations. So it makes a difference that students come to study in Canada, that they live in our homes, share our lives, teach us their realities, become our friends, engage us in dialogue, experience our quality of life. By many such contacts, the world of the future--in large measure a world of the mind--will be made. This is why the recent Speech from the Throne recognized the importance of marketing education, saying: The government will also position Canada as a destination of choice for talented foreign students and skilled workers by more aggressively selecting and recruiting through universities and in key embassies abroad. Many of you will have also noted in the Speech from the Throne that we have been mandated to engage Canadians in a discussion about Canada's foreign policy priorities, so that before the end of this term, "the government will set out a long-term direction on international...policy that reflects our values and interests." In light of these two Throne Speech commitments, I am pleased to be here to underline the importance of education to Canada's foreign policy. When I was first elected to Parliament, one of my first and most enjoyable tasks was participating in a public review of Canada's foreign policy priorities. It was enlightening to hear from a broad spectrum of Canadians, to participate in developing a consensus on the definition of Canadian interests, and to work with others in determining our country's foreign policy objectives. That exercise resulted in the 1995 government statement, "Canada in the World," which identified three themes, or pillars of our foreign policy goals: protecting our security within a global framework; promoting jobs and prosperity; and projecting our Canadian values and culture. Clearly, the world has changed significantly since 1995. As we adapt to global changes, the three pillars will remain the foundation of our approach. We will soon be initiating a dialogue with Canadians to hear their views on how our foreign policy priorities and directions might evolve. As part of that process, today I would like to point out how education issues touch upon all three pillars of foreign policy. I will start with the theme of security, which is more important than ever today as new and more complex threats emerge. The recent acts of terrorism in Bali, Moscow and Kenya are a sobering reminder of that reality. Clearly, these times require an increased international military and law enforcement capacity. We will also be taking a broader view of security addressing the social, political and economic instabilities that may fuel conflict and unrest. We need to take a long-term view recognizing that where there is good governance, democracy and respect for human rights, we find stable, prosperous and secure states. In this context of broader security issues, we must ask questions about societies around the world. In different societies, who has access to knowledge and education? Who controls these spheres? How is knowledge disseminated? What do people learn, and what ideas are circulated? Such questions are fundamental concerns of our time. In both developed and developing societies, knowledge and lifelong learning are the keys not only to technological progress and economic prosperity, but also to social cohesion and cultural integrity. These outcomes are central to global security and stability. The view of security I have just outlined is one we seek to encourage through our program of human security fellowships, which enable academics and non-academics alike to engage in research and policy development on matters concerning human security. Programs such as this are central to promoting understanding among cultures and engendering peace among nations. In the long run, the struggle against international terrorism can be won only through a battle for hearts and minds. Among other things, this demands that we share knowledge and make our educational institutions accessible to the world. In the midst of the American Civil War, the statesman Edward Everett had the prescience to affirm that "education is a better safeguard of liberty than a standing army." We need to bear this in mind as we address current threats to our security. The value of education also bears on the second pillar of Canadian foreign policy, which is the promotion of jobs and prosperity. As you are aware, foreign student recruitment brings over $4 billion to the Canadian economy. In this area we have been making tremendous progress. In 2001, over 133,000 international students had visas to study in Canada; and we believe that a similar number who did not require visas also chose Canada as their short-term study destination. This represents an increase of some 72 percent from just four years ago. Foreign students do more than fill seats and contribute to our economy during their studies here. There cannot be many export products or investment opportunities that offer such deep and lasting returns. Foreign students who return to their own countries become business partners, sales people for Canadian education, and advocates for Canada. Those who stay here enrich our country and advance its prosperity. Foreign students, together with the export of other educational products and services, help make it possible for Canadian educational institutions to invest in the future, to conduct research, and to offer courses they might not otherwise teach. They broaden the outlook of Canadian students through the exchange of ideas and values with students from other countries. At all levels of education, in all parts of the country, they make learning better for Canadians. Education is also an essential element in countering an outdated image of Canada as a resource-based economy. Bringing students to Canada shows them how advanced we are in the knowledge economy. By creating lifelong contacts and friendships, it produces a new generation of ambassadors and business partners for Canada abroad. In coming years, the knowledge industries will be one of the fastest growing elements of international trade. There will be a huge demand in the future for education marketing, ranging from recruitment of students to the sales of training and expertise, cutting edge technology and mediated learning. The promotion of Canada brings us to values and culture, the third pillar of our foreign policy. Education is one of the best means by which we can project Canadian values and our unique experience, and promote our Canadian model of society. Here I am thinking, for example, of our experience in power sharing and in institution building, in governance structures, and in legal and constitutional affairs. We might also consider our experience with diversity, and with the selection, integration and full participation of immigrants in our society. Canada attracts foreign students in large part because we are a free, open, tolerant and diverse society. We welcome newcomers and know that we are enriched by their presence. Canada is also safe, prosperous, rich in natural beauty and a culturally sophisticated place to live. With this foundation to build upon, educational institutions across Canada have become increasingly committed to integrating foreign students into their campuses. In recent years, as I am sure you know, the Government of Canada has made significant commitments to help Canadian universities and colleges invest in equipment and research facilities through the Canadian Foundation for Innovation. We are committed to establishing and sustaining 2,000 new university research chairs across Canada, with $900 million in new federal support over the next five years. We are now considering strategies to encourage even more foreign students to choose to study in Canada, through means such as changes to visa regulations, provisions for more internships, and coordinated marketing efforts among business organizations, provincial marketing agencies and federal departments. The government will also position Canada as a destination of choice for talented foreign students and skilled workers through aggressive selection and recruitment by universities and in embassies abroad. The Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT) has a network of 120 foreign posts with cultural, public affairs and trade officers. We maintain or participate in several international scholarship programs. We cooperate with other government departments and foreign countries to encourage increased student mobility. Through agreements with other countries, we encourage international travel through the Working Holiday Programs, Student Work Abroad Program and other youth programs, which allow young Canadians to work abroad for up to one year at a time. Since education in Canada is a provincial responsibility, the federal government works closely with the Council of Ministers of Education. We have worked with provincial partners to initiate round tables that bring together provincial and federal marketing agencies, ministries and associations for the purpose of exchanging information and discussing strategies. My colleague, Pierre Pettigrew, the Minister for International Trade, is advised by an Education Marketing Advisory Board drawn from all elements of the industry, all parts of the country, and all levels of government. The federal government also works with universities and other educational institutions to support their marketing efforts, encourage student mobility, help them share their experience and expertise with others, and help them establish ties with like-minded institutions in other countries. The Secretaries of State in DFAIT are also committed to supporting educational marketing and cooperation within their regional areas of responsibility. Educational NGOs, such as the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada and the Association of Canadian Community Colleges, advance programs to encourage the internationalization of Canadian campuses. With partnerships such as these, Canada can turn its educational decentralization and diversity to our advantage. In all this, the Canadian Education Centres Network (CECN) has a major role to play. The Network is a success that we are proud of, and we continue to work together in promoting the Canada brand in education. During the 10 years which end in 2005, the Government of Canada, through DFAIT and CIDA, will have provided almost $25 million in core funding and in-kind support to the Network. As the Network finds its feet, we are phasing out this direct support; but our partnership will continue in new directions. The government is looking for innovative ways of cooperating with the Network in market research and in other areas, and is seeking more constructive partnerships on a broad front. In this process, success will come from working together and continuing the dedication that has marked the efforts of Canadian educators. Let me end on a personal note, by explaining one of the reasons I am such a fervent believer in bringing students to Canada. I was fortunate enough to do my graduate studies in Paris, and I can assure you that the experience influenced the patterns of my life a great deal, in giving me a familiarity with the French language and an international view of societal issues. I cannot say I perfected my command of the French Cartesian system, however. The comments of one of my oral examiners at the defence of my thesis still rings in my ears: « Je dois vous dire, Monsieur Graham, que votre thèse ressemble beaucoup plus à un text book anglais qu'à une vraie thèse française. » ["I must tell you Mr. Graham, that your thesis is more like an English text book than a real French thesis."] Oh well, the food was great and my daughter married a Frenchman, so something stuck! I also brought home a sense of the importance of knowing a foreign language, particularly the French language, for Canadians. I worked with the Alliance Française and the Ontario government to strengthen the bilingual character of our province. I did this not for France, but for my own country. I am proud of the work we did but I believe that we need to do more. Our openness to other languages makes us even more attractive to foreign students. I am sure that everyone here will agree that our achievements in higher learning have been important in making Canada the highly successful nation that it is. We have made education a priority at home, and an integral part of our foreign policy. The promotion of Canadian education abroad enhances our ties with others and bolsters our security. It fosters enduring links for future trade and investment and thus expands our prosperity. Above all, it is part of our cultural and intellectual enrichment that contributes to the Canadian values and experience we project abroad. All of you here have a hand in this every day, and for that we are all grateful to you. I look forward to hearing from you in the months ahead, as we engage Canadians in a dialogue about our foreign policy priorities and directions. On behalf of the government, I would like to say that we look forward to working together with all our partners across Canada to implement the CECN's slogan, "Canada: Where the World Comes to Study." Thank you. </body> </html>

2007 - 2006 - 2005 - 2004 - 2003 - 2002 - 2001 - 2000 - 1999 - 1998 - 1997 - 1996

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