A message from the Agent-General
Dear friends,
The longer nights and chillier mornings are signs that the festive season will soon be upon us. The autumn period has been one filled with much activity; the Delegation has played a great role in the organisation and hosting of many events connected to business, diplomacy and culture.
It was a pleasure to welcome this year’s cohort of Québec French-language assistants to 59 Pall Mall. Participating in a programme co-organised by the Québec Ministère de l'Éducation, de l'Enseignement supérieur et de la Recherche and the British Council, the assistants will spend the coming year working in UK schools across the country. The assistants visited the Delegation to meet their fellow peers and to participate in a debriefing session arranged by the British Council. I wish all of the participants a successful and enjoyable year here in the UK.
On the 30th September, I had the honour of addressing the very first Creative Canadian Showcase. The event, largely arranged by the Delegation’s Economic Affairs team, allowed leading figures from different sectors of Canada’s creative industries (including the CEO of Montréal-based Moment Factory Eric Fournier) to gather and discuss the various factors behind the industry’s strengths. The event also allowed British companies working in the creative industries to share advice and stories gained from working in the sector.
Additionally on the 30th September, the Delegation had the privilege of welcoming Professor Daniel J. Levitin from McGill University, a cognitive psychologist, neuroscientist and best-selling author. Levitin discussed his latest book The Organized Mind and gave a fascinating talk on the mechanics of rational decision making. Organised as part of the McGill Alumni London Talk Series, the event provided the perfect setting for alumni of McGill University to gather and reconnect.
Finally, I had the privilege of accompanying Québec Premier Philippe Couillard on a mission to the third Arctic Circle Assembly in Iceland. Held annually in Reykjavik, the Assembly aims to broaden participation in international Arctic dialogue, as well as to increase collaborative decision making in Arctic issues. I was able to partake in a number of key exchanges and meetings with prominent figures including the Prime Minister and President of Iceland and Secretary General of the Nordic Council of Ministers, Dagfinn Høybråten. The words and actions of Premier Couillard at the Assembly demonstrated Québec’s commitment to being a global player in the fight against climate change.
In terms of future events, I am happy to inform you that the Québec Annual Lecture, due to take place on the 1st December at the London School of Economics, will this year be given by Professor Charles Taylor. All information regarding the event can be found here.
I hope that you are all able to savour what remains of autumn, in particular the stunning foliage that we have been afforded by the season this year!
To keep abreast of the Delegations activities and actions, I invite you to follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
Click here to read my message in French.
Christos Sirros
