Active and Engaged

State Visit to Mexico

/images/9999/_mexlogo.gifAt the request of the Right Honourable Stephen Harper, Prime Minister of Canada, Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada, and her husband, His Excellency Jean-Daniel Lafond, will undertake a State visit to the United Mexican States, from December 6 to 9, 2009. The Minister of State Foreign Affairs (Americas), the Honourable Peter Kent, will be a member of the official delegation, in addition to a delegation of Canadians working in a variety of fields, including governance, arts and culture, civic engagement and youth.

While in Mexico, the Governor General will give a speech before the Senate that will highlight the importance of the relationship between our two countries in the North American context. Her Excellency will also take part in a seminar on Canada-Mexico relations that will address joint security in North America, cultural diversity and economic competition. Mexican university students, members of the Mexican Congress and Canadian academics will all take part in this event. His Excellency Jean-Daniel Lafond will also host an Art Matters forum. He will be accompanied by Canadian Delegates to the National University of Mexico (UNAM) for a discussion on arts, new media and cultural diversity.

Delegation

Itinerary

Sunday, December 6
Mexico City

1:30 p.m.
Arrival in Mexico
Their Excellencies will be welcomed by Mexican government officials and Mr. Guillermo E. Rishchynski, Canada’s Ambassador to the United Mexican States.
Presidential Hangar, Mexico City International Airport, Benito Juárez

Monday, December 7 
Mexico City

10 a.m.
Visit to the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe
Their Excellencies will be greeted by Mrs. Margarita Zavala de Calderón, First Lady of Mexico, Msgr. Diego Monroy Ponce, Rector of the Basilica. They will then tour the basilica.
Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Mexico City

11:30 a.m.
Wreath-Laying Ceremony at Los Niños Héroes de Chapultepec
Their Excellencies will visit the monument of Los Niños Héroes, which is a tribute to the memory and sacrifice of six young men who died defending their country during the Mexican-American War. On September 13, 1847, they refused to relinquish their posts and bravely met the superior forces of the Americans, who were quickly advancing on Chapultepec Castle. Their sacrifice has been forever etched into Mexico’s history.
Castillo Chapultepec, Mexico City

12 p.m.
Official Welcoming Ceremony with Military Honours
Their Excellencies will be welcomed during an official ceremony hosted by His Excellency Felipe Calderón Hinojosa, President of Mexico. The Governor General and the President will deliver remarks.
Los Pinos, Mexico City

12:30 p.m.
Meeting with the President of Mexico
Their Excellencies will meet with the President of Mexico to discuss Canada-Mexico relations. Following the meeting, the Governor General and the President will deliver statements to the media.
Los Pinos, Mexico City

2:30 p.m.
State Luncheon Hosted by the President of Mexico
Their Excellencies will attend a State luncheon hosted by the President of Mexico in honour of their visit.
Los Pinos, Mexico City

7:30 p.m.
Ceremony to Honour Friends of Canada on the Occasion of the 65th Anniversary of Canada-Mexico Diplomatic Relations
During a ceremony hosted by Mr. Guillermo E. Rishchynski, Canada’s Ambassador to the United Mexican States, the Governor General will deliver remarks and present medallions to recognize individuals who have significantly contributed to the Canada-Mexico relations.
Four Seasons Hotel, Mexico City

Tuesday, December 8
Mexico City

9:30 a.m.
Seminar entitled “Perspectives on the Canada-Mexico Relationship: Building Pathways Towards the Future”
Accompanied by Senator Carlos Naverrete Ruiz, President of the Senate, and two Senate foreign affairs committee chairs, the Governor General will deliver opening remarks and participate in a discussion with Mexican students and Canadian youth delegates as part of a half-day seminar on Canada-Mexico relations. 
Sebastián Lerdo de Tejada Auditorium of the Senate, Mexico City

9:30 a.m.
Art Matters Forum of His Excellency Jean-Daniel Lafond on the Arts, New Media and Cultural Diversity          
Mr. Jean-Daniel Lafond, along with Canadian cultural delegates, will participate in an Art Matters forum on the Arts, New Media and Cultural Diversity.
University Museum of Contemporary Arts, National University of Mexico (UNAM), Mexico City

12 p.m.
Address to Senate of the United Mexican States
The Governor General will meet with Senator Carlos Naverrete Ruiz, President of the Senate and the leaders of the directive board, as well as with other political parties represented in the Senate, followed by a ceremony, where she will address the chamber in full.
Senate Building, Mexico City

2:15 p.m.
Luncheon Hosted by the Ambassador of Canada, the Canada Chamber of Commerce and the Mexican Council on Foreign Relations (COMEXI)
The Governor General will deliver the keynote address before members of the Canadian and Mexican business community of Mexico City.
InterContinental Hotel, Mexico City

Tuxtla Gutiérrez

7:05 p.m.
Arrival in Tuxtla Gutiérrez
Their Excellencies will be welcomed by Mr. Juan José Sabines Guerrero, Governor of the State of Chiapas, and his spouse Mrs. María Isabel Aguilera de Sabines.
Angel Albino Corzo Airport, Tuxtla Gutiérrez

Chiapa de Corzo

8:30 pm
Meeting with the Governor of Chiapas, followed by an Official Dinner
Their Excellencies will meet with the Governor and his spouse before attending an official dinner hosted by the Governor, in honour of their visit.
Former Convento de Santo Domingo, Chiapa de Corzo

Wednesday, December 9
San Cristóbal de Las Casas

9:30 a.m.
Tour of Na Bolom Museum
Their Excellencies will visit the Na Bolom Museum, which was founded by famed Danish anthropologist and philanthropist Frans Blom and his wife Gertrude Blom, who left behind a collection of photographs, archaeological pieces, crafts and regional Mayan objects. At the end of the tour, Their Excellencies will attend a presentation on Mayan textiles given by an anthropologist who specializes in Chiapas highland textiles.
Na Bolom Museum, San Cristóbal de Las Casas

11:30 a.m.
Theatrical Presentation Migration: Finding New Paths to Opportunities by Fortaleza de la Mujer Maya (FOMMA)
The Governor General will attend a dramatic presentation that aims to raise awareness of the various migration issues faced by women at the custom’s office, at the border and within the city. FOMMA is a collective of Mayan women who use theatre as a tool for education and community building. They are performers, playwrights and teachers who tour in their communities and internationally, performing plays that focus on women’s and Indigenous rights, literacy, cultural survival, ecology, health and education in the Tzeltal and Tzotzil Indigenous languages.
Fortaleza de la Mujer Maya (FOMMA), San Cristóbal de Las Casas

12:15 p.m.
Round-table Discussion with Representatives and Beneficiaries of Projects Funded by the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI)
The Governor General will deliver the opening remarks and take part in a discussion with NGOs  that support women, youth and Indigenous groups among others in the region of San Cristóbal de LasCasas:

  • Fortaleza de la Mujer Maya (searching for new labor alternatives)
  • Domestic Employees Collective of the Chiapas Highlands (literacy program)
  • Fundación Arroz con leche (establishing women’s embroidery co-operatives in Chenalhó communities)
  • Madre Tierra México (communities for infrastructure development)
  • Germinalia (centre for creativity development and learning)

Courtyard of FOMMA, San Cristóbal de Las Casas

See State Visit to Guatemala