In Montreal this saturday - Final citizens' forum of the INM on the future of higher education

MONTREAL, Jan. 30, 2013 /CNW Telbec/ - The activities held by the Institut du Nouveau Monde (INM) on the future of higher education, which have been preparing the way for the February Summit planned by the government, will conclude in Montreal this coming Saturday. Over 300 participants have registered to date, and there's still time to sign up at www.inm.qc.ca.

The forums in Rouyn-Noranda, Saguenay and Gatineau have given some 400 citizens a chance to express their opinion on the future of higher education, as well as raise more specific concerns related to each visited region. The Special Summit Winter School, which took place last Saturday at the Université Laval, allowed more than 400 young people from across Quebec to share their vision for universities and colleges. The activities all fostered rich discussion and brought up ideas that will be included in the reports that the INM will be submitting to the minister in preparation for the upcoming Summit.

The forums were proposed by the INM at the request of Pierre Duchesne, Minister of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology.

According to INM Executive Director Michel Venne, "The future of our colleges and universities concerns all citizens of Quebec—which is why we think it is essential to give them the chance to express their views on various aspects of the topic, alongside the formal process undertaken by the Quebec government with official educational partners."

This Saturday, February 2, the INM will be hosting its fourth and final citizens' forum in Montreal. The activity will address the Summit's four general themes: the quality of higher education, accessibility and participation at this level of study, university governance and funding, and research institutions' contribution to the development of Quebec in general. To be able to share special expertise and stimulate dialogue with participants, the Montreal forum will be welcoming Claude Lessard, president of the Conseil supérieur de l'éducation, and Cathy Wong, president of the Forum jeunesse de l'île de Montréal.

The INM, which is the reference in Quebec for citizen participation, has organized numerous forums similar to those offered in preparation for the Summit on Higher Education. Over the years, it has been called upon by the Bouchard-Taylor Commission, the Quebec Ministry of Culture and Communications regarding Agenda 21 for Culture, the Chief Electoral Officer, and many others.

• Montreal, February 2, 2013,  at UQAM, Room Marie-Gérin-Lajoie, Pavilion Judith-Jasmin, 405 Ste-Catherine St. E, Local J-M400 (Metro Berri level) - workshops in French.

Registration is free, but compulsory. Visit www.inm.qc.ca

SOURCE: INSTITUT DU NOUVEAU MONDE

Media relations: Roch Bilodeau - 1-855-347-7622 - [email protected]