OTTAWA, Oct. 27, 2016 /CNW/ - At the request of the Right Honourable Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada, Their Excellencies the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, and Mrs. Sharon Johnston will travel to the Middle East from October 29 to November 6, 2016. They will conduct State visits to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan from October 29 to November 1, and to the State of Israel from November 1 to 3. They will also visit the West Bank on November 4 and 5. Their Excellencies will then return to Canada on November 6.
The Governor General's visit to the Middle East will be an occasion to reaffirm Canada's steadfast support for the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and the State of Israel, and to underscore the critical importance of engagement with our allies in the region. It will also highlight Canada's development and humanitarian support to the Palestinians.
The focus of the visit will include areas where Canada can deepen its historic ties in the sectors of innovation, development and security as well as discuss support for pressing humanitarian needs in the region and particularly in Jordan, which faces remarkable pressure emanating from the Syrian refugee crisis.
The visit will serve as an opportunity to reiterate Canada's long-standing support for a peaceful path towards a two-state solution based on dialogue and mutual respect.
The Governor General's presence in the Middle East will strengthen the relationship and ties to a region of critical importance to Canada and to Canadians.
All timings indicated are in local time zone.
STATE VISIT TO THE HASHEMITE KINGDOM OF JORDAN
Amman
Saturday, October 29
10 a.m.
Arrival in Amman
Upon their arrival in the capital city, Their Excellencies will be greeted by Mr. Peter MacDougall, Ambassador of Canada to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, and by representatives of the Government of Jordan and the city of Amman.
Queen Alia International Airport
OPEN TO MEDIA
Mount Nebo
Saturday, October 29
11 a.m.
Visit to Mount Nebo
Their Excellencies will visit Mount Nebo, one of the most revered holy sites of Jordan, located west of the Roman Byzantine town of Madaba. It is the presumed site of Moses' death and burial place, and a centre for pilgrimages since earliest Christian times. The summit offers a panorama of the Holy Land and southern Jordan.
Mount Nebo
OPEN TO MEDIA
Zaatari Refugee Camp
Sunday, October 30
9:30 a.m.
Visit to Zaatari Refugee Camp
Their Excellencies and the Canadian delegation will visit the Zaatari refugee camp, located close to the Syrian border. They will meet with Syrian refugees as well as with representatives of the Ministry of Interior's Syrian Refugee Affairs Directorate, and of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, which jointly manage the camp.
Zaatari Refugee Camp
OPEN TO MEDIA
Jerash
Sunday, October 30
12:30 p.m.
Round-table Discussion on the Impacts of Resettlement
The Governor General and members of the Canadian delegation will meet with His Excellency Salameh Hammad, Minister of Interior of Jordan, His Excellency Walid Almasri, Minister of Municipal Affairs, and with mayors and community representatives to discuss the pressure placed on municipal service delivery due to the resettlement of Syrian refugees.
Beit Lebnani Restaurant
OPEN TO MEDIA
Amman
Sunday, October 30
3 p.m.
Round-table Discussion on Young Entrepreneurs and Start-ups
The Governor General and members of the Canadian delegation will take part in a discussion with private sector and non-governmental organizations about young entrepreneurs and start-ups in Jordan, the challenges they face and opportunities available to them. The event will take place at Amman's Business Development Centre (BDC). His Excellency will deliver opening remarks.
Established in 2004 the BDC is a non-profit organization committed to fostering economic development and public reform in Jordan and the Middle East. For more information, visit www.bdc.org.jo.
Business Development Centre
OPEN TO MEDIA
Hadada
Sunday, October 30
| 3 p.m.
|
Amman
Sunday, October 30
6:30 p.m.
Screening of Canadian Movie Hyena Road
Their Excellencies, the Canadian delegation and Jordanian guests will attend a special screening of the 2015 Canadian drama Hyena Road, hosted by the Royal Film Commission. Written, directed by and starring Paul Gross, the movie was partially filmed in Jordan. The screening will be followed by an on-stage conversation with Paul Gross, producer Niv Fichman, and Jordanian actors.
Rainbow Theatre
OPEN TO MEDIA
Amman
Monday, October 31
| 11 a.m. |
11 a.m.
Discussion at The Queen Rania Teacher Academy (QRTA)
The Governor General and members of the Canadian delegation will visit the QRTA, where they will meet with Jordanian teachers for a discussion on education. Canada has been a strong supporter of education in Jordan and has enjoyed successful collaboration with the Ministry of Education and with QRTA.
QRTA was established in 2009 to raise the quality of teaching in Jordan by developing the skills of teachers through continuous training and professional development. For more information, visit www.queenrania.jo/en.
The Queen Rania Teacher Academy
OPEN TO MEDIA
12:10 p.m.
Official Welcoming Ceremony
Their Excellencies will be officially welcomed to Jordan by His Majesty King Abdullah II bin Al Hussein of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. During the ceremony, the Governor General will receive military honours and inspect the Royal Guard.
Al Husseini Royal Palace
OPEN TO MEDIA
12:30 p.m.
Audience with The King of Jordan
Their Excellencies will take part in an audience with His Majesty The King to discuss Canada's bilateral relations with Jordan.
Al Husseini Royal Palace
PHOTO OP—At the beginning of the audience
12:40 p.m.
Opening Statements and Meeting with The King of Jordan and Representatives of the Government of Jordan
The Governor General and King Abdullah II will deliver opening statements before taking part in an expanded meeting with members of the Canadian delegation and representatives of the Government of Jordan to discuss issues of common interest to Canada and Jordan, such as immigration, development, education and innovation.
Al Husseini Royal Palace
OPEN TO MEDIA—For the opening statements by the Governor General and the King only
1:10 p.m.
State Luncheon
Their Excellencies will take part in a State luncheon hosted by His Majesty King Abdullah II in honour of their State visit to Jordan.
CLOSED TO MEDIA
Fuheis
Monday, October 31
| 2:20 p.m.
Caritas Internationalis is a confederation of over 160 members—from small groups of volunteers to some of the biggest global charities—who are working at the grassroots level in almost every country of the world. Inspired by the Catholic faith, Caritas is the helping hand of the Church—reaching out to the poor, vulnerable and excluded, regardless of race or religion, to build a world based on justice and fraternal love. For more information, visit www.caritas.org. |
2:30 p.m.
Meeting with the Prime Minister of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan
The Governor General will meet with His Excellency Dr. Hani al-Mulki, Prime Minister of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, to discuss the relationship between Canada and Jordan. Members of the Canadian delegation and representatives of the Jordan government will then join them for an expanded meeting.
Prime Ministry
PHOTO OP—At the beginning of the meeting
7 p.m.
Friends of Canada Reception
On the occasion of his State visit to Jordan, His Excellency will offer short remarks and present the Governor General's Visit Medallions to individuals for their continued and exceptional service in promoting and enhancing the Canada-Jordan relationship.
OFFICIAL PHOTOGRAPHERS ONLY
Bethany Beyond The Jordan
Tuesday, November 1
8:45 a.m.
Visit to the Baptism Site of Jesus Christ
Their Excellencies will visit the Baptism Site of Jesus Christ, also known as 'Bethany Beyond the Jordan'. The Baptism Site is a legally protected national park. It has been authenticated by all major Christian church leaders as one of the three holiest sites of Christianity, along with Bethlehem and Jerusalem. It is the place where Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist. For more information, visit www.baptismsite.com.
Bethany Beyond the Jordan
OPEN TO MEDIA
VISIT TO THE STATE OF ISRAEL
Tel Aviv
Tuesday, November 1
11 a.m.
Arrival in Tel Aviv
Upon arrival in Tel Aviv, Their Excellencies will be greeted by Ms. Deborah Lyons, Canadian Ambassador designate to Israel, and by representatives of the Government of Israel.
Ben Gurion International Airport
OPEN TO MEDIA
Jerusalem
Wednesday, November 2
9:30 a.m.
Official Welcoming Ceremony
Their Excellencies will be officially welcomed by His Excellency Reuven Rivlin, President of Israel, and by First Lady Nechama Rivlin. During the ceremony, the Governor General will receive military honours and inspect a guard of honour.
Residence of President Rivlin 'Beit HaNassi'
OPEN TO MEDIA
9:40 a.m.
Media Statements
Following the welcoming ceremony, the Governor General and the President will deliver statements to members of the media.
Residence of President Rivlin 'Beit HaNassi'
OPEN TO MEDIA
| 9:55 a.m. |
10 a.m.
Meeting with the President of the State of Israel and Government Representatives
The Governor General and members of the Canadian delegation will meet with President Rivlin and representatives of the Israeli government to discuss topics of interest shared by Canada and Israel.
Residence of President Rivlin 'Beit HaNassi', Jerusalem Room
OFFICIAL PHOTOGRAPHERS ONLY
11:20 a.m.
Wreath-Laying Ceremony at the Tombs of Theodor Hertzl and Shimon Peres
Their Excellencies will lay wreaths on behalf of Canada on the tombs of Theodor Hertzl and Shimon Peres, two of the State of Israel's founders.
Mount Herzl (or Har ha-Zikaron, the "Mount of Remembrance"), is the site of Israel's national cemetery where presidents, prime ministers, speakers of the Knesset and other Israeli dignitaries are laid to rest. It is also the site of such national celebrations as the official State ceremony marking the conclusion of Memorial Day for Israel's fallen and the commencement of Israel's Independence Day festivities.
Mount Herzl
OPEN TO MEDIA
11:40 a.m.
Visit to Yad Vashem, The World Holocaust Remembrance Centre
Their Excellencies and the Canadian delegation will visit Yad Vashem. As the Jewish people's living memorial to the Holocaust, Yad Vashem safeguards the memory of the past and imparts its meaning for future generations. Established in 1953 as the world centre for documentation, research, education and commemoration of the Holocaust, Yad Vashem is today a dynamic and vital place of intergenerational and international encounter. For more information, visit www.yadvashem.org.
Har Hazikaron
OPEN TO MEDIA—at the Hall of Names; during the wreath-laying ceremony in the Hall of Remembrance; and during the book-signing at the exit of the Children's Memorial.
1:25 p.m.
Tree-Planting Ceremony at the Grove of Nations
The Governor General will be the first Canadian to plant an olive tree as a symbol of peace in the Grove of Nations, home to many trees that have been planted by heads of State from all over the world. It is an integral part of the "Olive Tree Route" project in Israel. For more information, visit www.kkl-jnf.org/international-cooperation/the-grove-of-nations.
Jerusalem Forest
OPEN TO MEDIA
3:10 p.m.
Visit to the Israeli Legislative Assembly
The Governor General will visit the Israeli legislature. Upon his arrival, he will lay a wreath on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. He will then meet with His Excellency Yuli-Yoel Edelstein, Speaker of the Knesset, before being acknowledged from the Gallery by members of the Knesset.
Knesset
OPEN TO MEDIA
| 3:15 p.m.
Founded in the late 1960s at the National Council of Jewish Women Research Institute for Innovation in Education, at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, HIPPY Israel is the most veteran of all HIPPY programs. Today, HIPPY Israel and its sibling early childhood programs serve some 3 000 families among Israel's native-born Arab and Jewish communities and immigrant communities in Ethiopia, Eastern Europe and Central Asia. For more information, visit http://hippy-international.org/israel. |
4:10 p.m.
Meeting with the Prime Minister of the State of Israel
The Governor General will meet with His Excellency Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of the State of Israel, to discuss key areas of Israel-Canada engagement.
Prime Minister's Office
PHOTO OP FOR POOL MEDIA ONLY–At the beginning of the meeting between the Governor General and the Prime Minister
7 p.m.
State Dinner Hosted by the President of the State of Israel and the First Lady
Their Excellencies and the Canadian delegation will take part in a State dinner hosted by President Reuben Rivlin and Mrs. Rivlin in honour of their State visit to Israel. The Governor General and the President will deliver remarks on this occasion.
Residence of President Rivlin 'Beit HaNassi'
OFFICIAL PHOTOGRAPHERS ONLY—Remarks by the Governor General will be posted online.
Kadima
Thursday, November 3
10:45 a.m.
Visit to Phinergy
The Governor General and members of the Canadian delegation will visit Phinergy to learn more about the company's aluminium-air batteries, and its successful collaboration with the Canadian and international subsidiaries of Alcoa. The importance of innovation in the development of green energy will also be discussed.
Phinergy is a developer of breakthrough zero-emission, high energy-density systems based on metal-air energy technologies. The company's primary focus is on aluminum-air and zinc-air batteries. For more information, visit www.phinergy.com.
Kadima
OPEN TO MEDIA
Haifa
Thursday, November 3
| 11:30 a.m.
Hand in Hand Center for Jewish-Arab Education in Israel furthers peaceful coexistence between Jews and Arabs through the development of integrated, bilingual and multicultural schools. Their six schools teach students at all grade levels in both Hebrew and Arabic. For more information, visit www.handinhandk12.org. |
1:35 p.m.
Round-Table Discussion on Student Diversity
Their Excellencies and the Canadian delegates will take part in a discussion on diversity with students of the Technion–Israel Institute of Technology.
The Technion–Israel Institute of Technology was founded in 1912 in Haifa, and is the oldest university in Israel and the Middle East. The university offers degrees in science and engineering, and in such related fields as architecture, medicine, industrial management and education. For more information, visit www.technion.ac.il/en.
Technion–Israel Institute of Technology, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Rabin Building, Plebary Room, 7th Floor
OPEN TO MEDIA
2:30 p.m.
Technion University Honorary Doctorate Ceremony
The Governor General will receive an honorary doctorate from The Technion–Israel Institute of Technology for his contributions to the Canada-Israel innovation relationship. His Excellency will deliver an address on how diversity and innovation reinforce each other.
The Technion – Israel Institute of Technology, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Rabin Building, Zeff Auditorium, Ground Floor
OPEN TO MEDIA
Jerusalem
Thursday, November 3
5 p.m.
Visit to the Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada (IMRIC)
Their Excellencies and members from the Canadian delegation will visit IMRIC to discuss successful collaborative medical research partnerships between Canada and Israel.
The Hebrew University's IMRIC conducts fundamental and applied research in the field of biomedicine. The institute is committed to bringing together Israel's and Canada's most brilliant scientific minds to find solutions to the world's most serious medical problems through a multidisciplinary approach to biomedical research. For more information, visit http://imric.org.
Hebrew University, Ein Karem Campus
OPEN TO MEDIA
7:30 p.m.
Friends of Canada Reception
On the occasion of his State visit to Israel, His Excellency will offer short remarks and present the Governor General's Visit Medallions to individuals for their continued and exceptional service in promoting and enhancing the Canada-Israel relationship.
OFFICIAL PHOTOGRAPHERS ONLY
VISIT TO THE WEST BANK
Ramallah
Friday, November 4
1:15 p.m.
Welcoming Ceremony
Their Excellencies will be welcomed by His Excellency Mahmoud Abbas, President of the Palestinian Authority. The Governor General will then receive military honours and inspect a guard of honour.
Muqata'a Presidential Compound
OPEN TO MEDIA
1:35 p.m.
Meeting with the President of the Palestinian Authority
The Governor General will meet with President Abbas to discuss Canada's commitment to continue to work with the Palestinian Authority.
Muqata'a Presidential Compound
PHOTO OP FOR POOL MEDIA ONLY–At the beginning of the meeting between the Governor General and the President
2:25 p.m.
Media Statements
Following their meeting, the Governor General and the President will deliver statements to members of the media.
Muqata'a Presidential Compound
OPEN TO MEDIA
4:10 p.m.
Inauguration of a Forensic Science Laboratory
The Governor General will inaugurate a forensic science laboratory intended to be a temporary training facility for police officers and scientists in forensic criminal science. The project was supported by Canadian funding. The lab will contribute to an improved criminal justice system in the West Bank through a more reliable and credible analysis of evidence and training for Palestinian police.
Palestinians Civil Police Headquarters
OPEN TO MEDIA — For the official opening ceremony (plaque unveiling)
5:45 p.m.
Friends of Canada Reception
On the occasion of his visit to the West Bank, His Excellency will offer short remarks and present the Governor General's Visit Medallions to individuals for their continued and exceptional service in promoting and enhancing the Canada-West Bank relationship.
OFFICIAL PHOTOGRAPHERS ONLY
Bethlehem
Saturday, November 5
10:30 a.m.
Visit to the Church of the Nativity
Their Excellencies will visit the Church of the Nativity, identified as the birthplace of Jesus Christ.
Church of the Nativity
PHOTO OP—Upon arrival, in front of the Church's entrance.
1 p.m.
Visit to Al-Shurooq School for Blind Children
Their Excellencies will visit the Al-Shurooq School for Blind Children to meet with officials, teachers and students to learn more about its services. The school benefits from a solar power project funded by Canada.
In 1981, Al-Shurooq School for Blind Children was established in Jerusalem as an educational facility with the aim of providing the blind and visually impaired with appropriate education and equal opportunity.
Al-Shurooq School for Blind Children
PHOTO OP—Upon arrival
2:15 p.m.
Panel Discussion on Environmental Innovation in Agriculture
The Governor General and members of the Canadian delegation will take part in a discussion on environmental innovation in agriculture to share knowledge and promote learning on issues related to these areas of research. The event will also highlight a partnership between Canada and Bethlehem University on the development of a community garden to educate youth on sustainable and innovative environmental practices.
Bethlehem University, the first university established in the West Bank, is a Catholic Christian co-educational institution of higher learning founded in 1973 in the Lasallian tradition, open to students of all faith traditions. For more information, visit www.bethlehem.edu.
Bethlehem University, Cardinal Furno Hall
OPEN TO MEDIA—Upon arrival and for the opening remarks
Battir
Saturday, November 5
| 2:20 p.m.
CARE is a global leader within a worldwide movement dedicated to ending poverty and committed to the dignity of people. For more information, visit www.care.org. |
Members of the public can follow the Governor General's visits to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, the State of Israel and the West Bank on Facebook and Twitter, and online at www.gg.ca, where speeches, photos and videos will be posted.
Follow GGDavidJohnston and RideauHall on Facebook and Twitter.
SOURCE Governor General of Canada
Media wishing to obtain photos of the visit can contact the Rideau Hall Press Office.This itinerary is subject to change without notice. To obtain the latest updates, please visit www.gg.ca. Media information: Julie Rocheleau, Rideau Hall Press Office, 613-998-7280, [email protected]
Share this article