Minister attends international meetings on Education

Joan Burke, Minister of Education, will participate in the G-8 Ministerial Meeting on Education in Moscow, Russian Federation June 1-2, 2006. The minister is attending in her capacity as Chair, Council of Ministers of Education, Canada.

Minister Burke will join Ministers of Education for Russia, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Great Britain, and the United States to discuss among other things, the development of education in an innovation society, the progress made on the program of lifelong learning, and the quality and availability of education at all levels.

"More than ever before, we must consider everything we do, including our educational initiatives, from a global perspective," said Minister Burke. "I am very pleased to participate in discussions around education, skill development and the role they play in economic development. This certainly reflects the direction being taken in Newfoundland and Labrador and many of our new initiatives announced in Budget 2006."

On June 27 and 28, the Education Committee of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), will meet in Athens, Greece. OECD ministers of education, including Minister Burke, will consider such issues as the quality and impact of higher education, and how our postsecondary institutions contribute to success in a competitive, global, knowledge-based economy.

"Meetings of ministers from OECD countries will provide a unique opportunity to highlight and share our Canadian experiences in addressing quality, equity, and efficiency issues relating to Higher Education in Canada", said Minister Burke. "I look forward to learning how my colleagues in other OECD countries address similar issues."

The Council of Ministers of Education, Canada was formed in 1967 by the provincial and territorial ministers responsible for education to provide a forum to discuss issues of mutual interest, to work cooperatively on educational initiatives and to represent areas of interest for the provinces and territories with the federal government, foreign governments and national educational organizations.

The position of chair rotates among the provinces and territories for a two year period.

Media contact: Jacquelyn Howard, Communications, (709) 729-0048, 689-2624

2006 05 30                       4:55 p.m.