Preparing Alberta for the Asian Century

featuring:

The Hon.Cal Dallas, Minister of International and Intergovernmental Relations

The Hon. Teresa Woo-Paw, Associate Minister of International and Intergovernmental Relations

Victor Rabinovitch, Member, Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada Task Force on Asia Competence

Council Members from Alberta's Asia Advisory Council:

Tom Walter, Council Vice-Chair, Lawyer and Business Owner

Margaret Cornish, Senior Advisor (China) and Chief Representative in Beijing, Bennett Jones LLP

Robert Francis, President and CEO, Agriteam Canada

Gordon Houlden, Director, China Institute, University of Alberta

Ray Price, President, Sunterra Group

Peter Sutherland, President, Canada-India Business Council

John Zahary, President and CEO, Sunshine Oilsands

This event offers a special pre-release briefing on key findings and recommendations of the final report of the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada’s Task Force on Asia Competence. The full report, to be released in early November, makes recommendations for the education, private and public sectors, including promoting the learning of Asian languages and content, and creating more opportunities for Canadians to get first-hand experience in Asia.

Globalization provides new opportunities for reaching into new markets. Doing so will help Albertans become more prosperous and lead better lives.

Asia is the centre of global opportunity with its rising economic power increased people flows to Canada, including students, tourists and immigrants. Asian countries are also playing vital roles in issues that transcend national borders such as environmental protection, global health and food safety. It is therefore in our interest to prepare for closer engagements with the region to take advantage of Asian opportunities. The next generation of Albertans needs to be engaged with Asia and possess the ‘Asia competence’ to be effective across the region.

What competencies are required? How does Canada compare to its competitors such as the US, Australia and New Zealand?

We are pleased to invite you to an evening panel discussion with government, business and civil society leaders on how Alberta can invest in skills and capabilities to succeed in the Asia Century.