13 January 2010: Calgary
Consul General Lochman visits Calgary Islamic School
Consul General Laura Lochman’s interest in learning more about the Calgary Muslim community took her to the Calgary Islamic School on January 13. Lochman’s visit included a tour of the 700-student facility and a meeting with Muslim Council of Calgary officials that focused on the efforts of the school and council to prevent the radicalization of Muslim youth. After watching senior Calgary Imam Jamal Hammoud lead students in mid-day prayers, Lochman was invited to address the group. Highlighting President Barack Obama’s speech to the Muslim world in Cairo last June, Lochman said co-operation and dialogue are important at this time. "We share the same general interests, the same convictions and tenets of our society: democracy and education and respect for all human beings," she told the group.

Click on the graphic above to get the latest information from the U.S. government.

United States Participation in the 15th Session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. Copenhagen, Denmark, December 7-18, 2009
(Dec. 8): The U.S. is committed to forging an international response and achieving a successful outcome at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP-15) in Copenhagen, Dec. 7-18. Special Envoy Stern leads the U.S. delegation. [Learn more]
Also visit the U.S. Commerce Department Copenhagen Climate Change Conference Web Site

U.S. Customs and Border Protection Responds to H1N1 Vaccination Requirement Rumor
(12/08/2009) U.S. Customs and Border Protection would like to address rumors regarding U.S. entry requirements and the H1N1 virus: Travelers do NOT need to present proof that they received the H1N1 flu vaccine in order to enter the United States. No such vaccination requirement exists. Travelers are encouraged to visit the Department of Health and Human Services Flu Web site for current information on seasonal flu prevention, and the "Know Before You Go" section under the Travel tab of the CBP Web site for helpful traveler tips.

1 December 09
A New Way Forward - The President's Address
The President has outlined his strategy on Afghanistan and Pakistan from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y.: "The 30,000 additional troops that I am announcing tonight will deploy in the first part of 2010 – the fastest pace possible – so that they can target the insurgency and secure key population centers. They will increase our ability to train competent Afghan Security Forces, and to partner with them so that more Afghans can get into the fight. And they will help create the conditions for the United States to transfer responsibility to the Afghans.” [read transcript or watch video] [fact sheet]

29 November - 19 December 2009
Calgary education professor participates in Inter-Religious Dialogue program
University of Calgary education professor Rahat Naqvi had the opportunity to meet with U.S. organizations involved in efforts to promote interfaith understanding during a three-week International Visitor Leadership Program on the theme of inter-religious dialogue. Naqvi’s research focuses on literacy development, integration and learning of minority language students. The State Department-sponsored program took her from Washington, D.C. to Los Angeles, Indianapolis and Dallas and New York where she met with government officials, academics, religious and community leaders working on initiatives to promote tolerance, multicultural mindsets and diversity. “This program broadened my perspective on the U.S., its history and culture and I came away with the sense that the Obama administration’s efforts around inter-religious dialogue and opening up to Muslims are genuine,” Naqvi said. “I see all these initiatives as part of building bridges and promoting ways to better understand how we might live well in today’s world.”

19 November 09: Calgary
Consul General Lochman discusses U.S.-Canada relations at the University of Calgary
Consul General Laura Lochman was the guest speaker at a University of Calgary School of Public Policy seminar on U.S. foreign policy priorities under President Obama. CG Lochman addressed the many facets of the Canada-U.S. bilateral relationship and highlighted some of the Obama administration's specific foreign policy priorities.

13 November 09: Red Deer
Consul General talks U.S. foreign policy with Red Deer College students
Consul General Laura Lochman made her first visit to Red Deer College to talk to a group of 40 undergraduate Arts students and staff about U.S. foreign policy, U.S.-Canada relations and her role as Consul General. The conversation touched on issues ranging from defense cooperation to energy security.

October 09
Western Canadian museum professionals participate in U.S. exchange program
Two museum professionals from western Canada participated in a 10-day professional exchange program in early October sponsored by the U.S. Consulate Calgary. Ian Moir, a senior archivist at the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre in Yellowknife, and Marlon Janzen, a dioramist at the Royal Saskatchewan Museum in Regina, travelled to the U.S. with eight other participants from across Canada where they were introduced to their counterparts in museums and art galleries in Washington D.C., Atlanta and Minneapolis. The site visits provided a opportunity for the Canadians to learn more about U.S. curatorial methods and discuss issues of common interest in the areas of museum design, collection development and audience engagement. “Even though we are working in different jurisdications and have different associations backing us, we discovered a lot of the issues we are dealing with are the same on both sides of the border,” said Moir adding he has brought back some best practice ideas and good contacts to share with his colleagues at the Northern Heritage Centre.

26 October 09: Edmonton
Ambassador Jacobson visits Edmonton
Ambassador Jacobson made his first official visit to Edmonton to meet with Alberta Premier Ed Stelmach, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, the Hon. Ken Kowalski, provincial government ministers, municipal representatives and members of the local business community. While at the Legislature, the Ambassador was introduced to members of the legislative assembly during the opening day of fall session. Ambassador Jacobson and his wife also stopped by Prince Charles Elementary School to talk with students in the school’s program for urban aboriginal children, and enjoy short concert by school’s orchestra. The Ambassador shared stories of President Obama’s election with students, stressing the opportunities now available to anyone in North America and the importance of studying hard, being good citizens and maintaining a sense of hope.
Read more on the ambassador’s blog.
More photos on:

October 16-18: Regina – Weyburn – Saskatoon
Ambassador Jacobson makes first official visit to Saskatchewan
Ambassador David Jacobson made his first official visit to Saskatchewan where he was welcomed by Premier Brad Wall, Lt. Governor, Dr. Gordon Barnhart and other members of the provincial cabinet. The Ambassador’s two-day visit included meetings with business representatives and community leaders, a briefing on carbon capture and sequestration at the Petroleum Technology Research Centre, and tours of the carbon capture and sequestration project in Weyburn, the RCMP “depot” Division in Regina and the Canadian Light Source Synchrotron in Saskatoon. In Regina, the Ambassador also attended a reception to honor Canadian reservists from the Royal Regina Rifles preparing to deploy to Afghanistan.
Read more on the ambassador’s blog.
More photos on:

12-15 October 2009: Calgary – Fort McMurray – Red Deer
Ambassador Jacobson visits Alberta for the first time
Two weeks into his tenure as U.S. Ambassador to Canada, David Jacobson visited Alberta to meet with government, business, academic and community leaders, students and media. In Calgary, the Ambassador and his wife Julie were welcomed to the city by Mayor Dave Bronconnier with a traditional white-hat ceremony. Ambassador Jacobson also participated in a business roundtable organized by the Calgary Economic Development Authority, spent time talking to students at the University of Calgary and attended a dinner hosted by the University of Alberta -Calgary Centre. The following day, he toured the Alberta oil sands to learn more about operations there and related environmental issues as well as the steps being taken to address them. His tour included a meeting with Chief Jim Boucher of the Fort McKay First Nation to learn more about the concerns of his people. The Ambassador’s first trip to Alberta also included a stop in Red Deer to meet with local government representatives and community leaders and speak to media.
Read more on the ambassador’s blog.
More photos on:

Consulate News Archive >>

Mission Canada Announces New Competitve Process for American Studies-Community Partnership Grants
U.S. grants competition for Canadian non-profit institutions to enhance mutual understanding between Canada and the United States. Application Deadline: April 15, 2010.

The United States Mission to Canada (Embassy Ottawa and Consulates and Offices in Vancouver, Calgary, Winnipeg, Toronto, Montreal, Quebec City, and Halifax) through its Public Affairs Section is pleased to announce an open competition for grants ranging from $1,000-$5,000. [Learn more]   [ Request for Applications].

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The flagship international educational program sponsored by the United States Government, the Fulbright Program is designed to "increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries..." The Canada-U.S. Fulbright Program provides grants for Canadian and American students and scholars to lecture, research and pursue graduate study in the United States and Canada, respectively (other nationals are advised to consult the Fulbright Commission in their country for grant opportunities). For more information, visit www.fulbright.ca.   Fulbright Commissions in other countries.