Government of Canada Celebrates Millionth Visitor Milestone at Expo 2010

June 3, 2010 By Leave a Comment

SHANGHAI, CHINA, Jun 02 (MARKET WIRE) —
On behalf of the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage
and Official Languages, the one-millionth visitor to the Canada Pavilion
at Expo 2010 in Shanghai was welcomed by the Honourable Jim Flaherty,
Minister of Finance, and the Honourable Peter Van Loan, Minister of
International Trade. The milestone was reached while they were in
Shanghai in the course of an official visit to China.

“One million visitors in one month confirms the popularity of the
Canada Pavilion as a destination of choice. Reaching this milestone
quickly is a major achievement,” said Minister Moore. “This
bodes well for the continuing success of our endeavours at this important
international exposition.”

“We greeted a distinguished guest today: our millionth visitor. Our
Government is proud to welcome Qiao Ren Biao to the Canada Pavilion. The
response from the Chinese population is very positive,” said
Minister Jim Flaherty. “The pavilion has established a modern image
of Canada in the hearts and imaginations of a million Chinese and
international visitors. We are confident that we will welcome millions of
other visitors by the end of October 2010.”

“Canada’s pavilion is a great showcase for the expertise, innovative
thinking, and creativity of Canadian companies,” said Minister Van
Loan. “Chinese entrepreneurs and investors will be interested in the
business component of the Pavilion and will be able to find out about the
many diverse business opportunities available in Canada. I would like to
thank Qiao Ren Biao for his interest in the Canada Pavilion. I know that
this same interest in Canada is shared by many here in Shanghai and
around the world.”

The Canada Pavilion is the result of a unique collaboration between the
Government of Canada and Cirque du Soleil. Since its opening, the
Pavilion has consistently been one of the most popular features of Expo
2010 in Shanghai.

The Canada Pavilion has seen near-capacity crowds every day since the
opening of the Expo on May 1, 2010. Qiao Ren Biao received special Canada
Pavilion souvenirs and the opportunity to have a photo taken with
Canada’s Commissioner General to Expo, Mark H. Rowswell, known in China
as Dashan.

Canadians can enjoy the Canada Pavilion, even if a trip to China is not
on their itinerary this summer, through a virtual visit to the pavilion,
which is available online.

For more information about Canada’s participation in Expo 2010 Shanghai
or to see the virtual Canada Pavilion, visit www.expo2010canada.gc.ca.

This news release is available on the Internet at
www.canadianheritage.gc.ca under Media Room.

Contacts:
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage
and Official Languages
Matthew Deacon – Press Secretary
819-997-7788
matthew.deacon@pch.gc.ca

Canadian Heritage
Media Relations
819-994-9101
1-866-569-6155
media@pch.gc.ca

Office of the Minister of Finance
Annette Robertson
Press Secretary
613-996-7861

Department of Finance
Jack Aubry
Media Relations
613-996-8080

Minister of International Trade
Monika Bujalska
Press Secretary
613-992-9304

Foreign Affairs and International Trade
Trade Media Relations Office
613-996-2000

Copyright 2010, Market Wire, All rights reserved.

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Government of Canada Celebrates Millionth Visitor Milestone at Expo 2010

June 3, 2010 By Leave a Comment

SHANGHAI, CHINA, Jun 02 (MARKET WIRE) —
On behalf of the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage
and Official Languages, the one-millionth visitor to the Canada Pavilion
at Expo 2010 in Shanghai was welcomed by the Honourable Jim Flaherty,
Minister of Finance, and the Honourable Peter Van Loan, Minister of
International Trade. The milestone was reached while they were in
Shanghai in the course of an official visit to China.

“One million visitors in one month confirms the popularity of the
Canada Pavilion as a destination of choice. Reaching this milestone
quickly is a major achievement,” said Minister Moore. “This
bodes well for the continuing success of our endeavours at this important
international exposition.”

“We greeted a distinguished guest today: our millionth visitor. Our
Government is proud to welcome Qiao Ren Biao to the Canada Pavilion. The
response from the Chinese population is very positive,” said
Minister Jim Flaherty. “The pavilion has established a modern image
of Canada in the hearts and imaginations of a million Chinese and
international visitors. We are confident that we will welcome millions of
other visitors by the end of October 2010.”

“Canada’s pavilion is a great showcase for the expertise, innovative
thinking, and creativity of Canadian companies,” said Minister Van
Loan. “Chinese entrepreneurs and investors will be interested in the
business component of the Pavilion and will be able to find out about the
many diverse business opportunities available in Canada. I would like to
thank Qiao Ren Biao for his interest in the Canada Pavilion. I know that
this same interest in Canada is shared by many here in Shanghai and
around the world.”

The Canada Pavilion is the result of a unique collaboration between the
Government of Canada and Cirque du Soleil. Since its opening, the
Pavilion has consistently been one of the most popular features of Expo
2010 in Shanghai.

The Canada Pavilion has seen near-capacity crowds every day since the
opening of the Expo on May 1, 2010. Qiao Ren Biao received special Canada
Pavilion souvenirs and the opportunity to have a photo taken with
Canada’s Commissioner General to Expo, Mark H. Rowswell, known in China
as Dashan.

Canadians can enjoy the Canada Pavilion, even if a trip to China is not
on their itinerary this summer, through a virtual visit to the pavilion,
which is available online.

For more information about Canada’s participation in Expo 2010 Shanghai
or to see the virtual Canada Pavilion, visit www.expo2010canada.gc.ca.

This news release is available on the Internet at
www.canadianheritage.gc.ca under Media Room.

Contacts:
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage
and Official Languages
Matthew Deacon – Press Secretary
819-997-7788
matthew.deacon@pch.gc.ca

Canadian Heritage
Media Relations
819-994-9101
1-866-569-6155
media@pch.gc.ca

Office of the Minister of Finance
Annette Robertson
Press Secretary
613-996-7861

Department of Finance
Jack Aubry
Media Relations
613-996-8080

Minister of International Trade
Monika Bujalska
Press Secretary
613-992-9304

Foreign Affairs and International Trade
Trade Media Relations Office
613-996-2000

Copyright 2010, Market Wire, All rights reserved.

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Half of Brit kids ”have never been read a bedtime story”: Survey

April 30, 2010 By Leave a Comment

London, April 30 (ANI): A new British survey conducted on teachers has revealed that more than half of the students of their class have never been read a bedtime story.

Researchers believe that not telling stories to children at home hampers their writing abilities, reports The Scotsman.

Poll statistics revealed that 55.7 per cent of primary school teachers have taught children who have never been read a bedtime story in their homes.

The Oxford University Press survey of 300 teachers also came to the conclusion that 72 per cent of the teachers believed that primary pupils were less able to tell stories than ten years ago.

“To develop children as writers, reading is absolutely essential. Every teacher knows the best writers, the most proficient writers, are always readers,” literary expert and former primary head teacher Pie Corbett said.

“It not only gives children language, it develops their imaginations. Storytelling is also hugely important, as the ability to tell a story is developed by building up a bank of well-known tales to draw upon,” Corbett added.

“Narrative is a necessary, primary act of mind and natural to all human beings – we are all story-makers whether we like it or not,” Corbett informed. (ANI)

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Coming soon: Harry Potter theme park

September 17, 2009 By Leave a Comment

London, Sep 16 (ANI): Harry Potter fans can soon experience the thrills of the adventures of the hugely popular boy wizard, for a new theme park based on the hit franchise is set to open next year.

The theme park, called ‘The Wizarding Worlds of Harry Potter’, is set to open in spring 2010 at Universal Studios, the Orlando resort has announced.he park is being developed in coordination with J.K. Rowling, the author of the immensely successful books, which have been adapted into films.

Recreating the fabled Hogwarts school that Potter and his friends attend, as well as the nearby village of Hogsmeade, the theme park promises a “completely immersive environment” for visitors.

“All of the action and adventures of Harry Potter’s world will come to life here at Universal Orlando Resort,” the Telegraph quoted Tom Williams, chairman and CEO of Universal Parks and Resorts, as saying.

“The Wizarding World of Harry Potter will be unlike any other experience on earth,” he added.

In fact, visitors at a replica of the Three Broomsticks, one of Hogsmeade’s popular pubs, will be treated to traditional British fare and have the chance to sip on Butterbeer – Potter’s tipple of choice.

The park will also feature theme rides, including the ‘Flight of the Hippogriff’, which will simulate a training flight on the magical, quick-to-offend creature.

Those who lobed the fast-paced wizard sport Quidditch, will also have a chance to participate in a simulated Triwizard Tournament, as well as examine Quidditch equipment and even the elusive Golden Snitch at several Hogsmeade shops.

“Harry Potter continues to spark the imaginations of fans of all ages and we really have seen the anticipation continue to build for The Wizarding World of Harry Potter,” said Brad Globe, president of Warner Bros. Consumer Products. (ANI)

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Spielberg obtains film rights to Crichton’s ‘Pirate Latitudes’

August 29, 2009 By Leave a Comment

London, Aug 29 (ANI): American film director Steven Spielberg has obtained the film rights to late Michael Crichton’s final novel, ‘Pirate Latitudes’.

Spielberg, 62, who has previously directed Crichton’s ‘Jurassic Park’ and ‘The Lost World’, is set to produce and possibly direct the adventure film, set in 17th Century Jamaica.

The novel, ‘Pirate Latitudes’, which is set to be published on November 24, is about a daring plan to infiltrate Port Royal, one of the world’s richest and most notorious cities, and raid a Spanish galleon filled with treasure.

“Michael Crichton was one of our greatest storytellers who expanded all of our imaginations with his books, films, and television,” the BBC quoted Spielberg as saying.

“With the ER and Jurassic Park series, I enjoyed one of the best collaborations of my career. Now with Pirate Latitudes, I have the chance to be excited about bringing this new Michael Crichton work to the screen,” he added.

David Koepp, who wrote the film versions of Crichton’s dinosaur novels, has also signed on to adapt the book.

Besides Jurassic Park, Crichton also penned books like Congo and Disclosure, all of which were adapted into films.

His novels have sold more than 150 million copies worldwide. (ANI)

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Going abroad expands your mind

April 24, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Washington, Apr 24 (ANI): Living in another country can help expand minds, says a new study.

“Gaining experience in foreign cultures has long been a classic prescription for artists interested in stimulating their imaginations or honing their crafts. But does living abroad actually make people more creative?” asks the study’s lead author, William Maddux, PhD, an assistant professor of organizational behavior at INSEAD, a business school with campuses in France and Singapore.

“It’s a longstanding question that we feel we’ve been able to begin answering through this research,” the expert added.

Maddux and Adam Galinsky, PhD, from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University, conducted five studies to test the idea that living abroad and creativity are linked.

The findings appear in the May issue of the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, published by the American Psychological Association.

In one study, master of business administration students at the Kellogg School were asked to solve the Duncker candle problem, a classic test of creative insight. In this problem, individuals are presented with three objects on a table placed next to a cardboard wall: a candle, a pack of matches and a box of tacks. The task is to attach the candle to the wall so that the candle burns properly and does not drip wax on the table or the floor.

The correct solution involves using the box of tacks as a candleholder – one should empty the box of tacks and then tack it to the wall placing the candle inside.

The solution is considered a measure of creative insight because it involves the ability to see objects as performing different functions from what is typical (i.e., the box is not just for the tacks but can also be used as a stand). The results showed that the longer students had spent living abroad, the more likely they were to come up with the creative solution.

In another study, also involving Kellogg School MBA students, the researchers used a mock negotiation test involving the sale of a gas station. In this negotiation, a deal based solely on sale price was impossible because the minimum price the seller was willing to accept was higher than the buyer’s maximum. However, because the two parties’ underlying interests were compatible, a deal could be reached only through a creative agreement that satisfied both parties’ interests.

Here again, negotiators with experience living abroad were more likely to reach a deal that demanded creative insight. In both studies, time spent traveling abroad did not matter; only living abroad was related to creativity.

Maddux and Galinsky then ran a follow-up study to see why living abroad was related to creativity. With a group of MBA students at INSEAD in France, they found that the more students had adapted themselves to the foreign cultures when they lived abroad, the more likely they were to solve the Duncker candle task.

“This shows us that there is some sort of psychological transformation that needs to occur when people are living in a foreign country in order to enhance creativity. This may happen when people work to adapt themselves to a new culture,” said Galinsky. (ANI)

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