Media Advisory - Governor General to Visit Washington, D.C.

OTTAWA, Feb. 8, 2016 /CNW/ - At the request of the Right Honourable Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada, His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, will visit Washington, D.C., on February 10 and 11, 2016.  His visit to the capital will take place on the margins of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) conference and will aim to promote international collaboration in research and innovation. 

Here is the detailed itinerary:

Wednesday, February 10

2 p.m.
Wreath Laying at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the Canadian Cross of Sacrifice at Arlington National Cemetery
The Governor General, as commander-in-chief of Canada, will visit Arlington National Cemetery to lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and at the Canadian Cross of Sacrifice. Afterwards, His Excellency will offer brief remarks.   

The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is a monument dedicated to American service members who have died without their remains being identified.  The Canadian Cross of Sacrifice honours citizens of the U.S. who served in the Canadian Armed Forces and gave their lives in World Wars I and II, and the Korean War. For more information, visit www.arlingtoncemetery.mil.
Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and Canadian Cross of Sacrifice, Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia
OPEN TO MEDIA
MEDIA CONTACT: Members of the media must confirm their attendance with Christine Constantin by email at [email protected] before 6 p.m. on February 9, 2016, and are asked to meet in front of the Arlington National Cemetery Welcome Center at 12:30 on the day of the event for transportation to the sites.

4 p.m.
Round Table with Local Canadian Innovation and Education Leaders
His Excellency will participate in a round-table discussion with leading Canadian educators, innovators, and entrepreneurs working in Washington, D.C. to discuss ways to increase international education and research collaboration and to advance Canada's science diplomacy. OFFICIAL PHOTOGRAPHERS ONLY

Thursday, February 11

11 a.m. 
Visit to 1776
The Governor General will tour 1776 and meet with young entrepreneurs working on promising start-ups. Afterwards, he will participate in a conversation on the future and importance of global education with Donna Harris, 1776 cofounder and co-CEO.  Following this conversation, the Governor General and Donna Harris will be joined by the Honourable Kirsty Duncan, Canada's Minister of Science, and by representatives from education start-ups from 1776's global network.
They will discuss how to solve existing challenges in driving innovation in the education industry.  

1776 is a global incubator and seed fund that uncovers and helps engineer the success of promising highly-scalable start-ups focused on solving the world's most fundamental challenges. 1776 focuses on start-ups in industries and sectors such as education, energy and health. For more information, visit www.1776.vc.  
1133 15th St. NW, 12th Floor, Washington, D.C.
OPEN TO MEDIA
MEDIA CONTACT:  Members of the media must confirm their attendance in advance at [email protected] or register for a press pass at the event link.

1:30 p.m.        
Round Table on Fostering International Research Collaboration
His Excellency will moderate a trilateral round-table discussion with members of Canadian, U.S. and European Union heads of science agencies on ways to increase international research collaboration, which can help to address global challenges.
OFFICIAL PHOTOGRAPHERS ONLY

3:30 p.m.
Remarks at Reception with Heads of Science Agencies
The Governor General will deliver remarks on promoting international research collaboration at a reception with members of the international science community in Washington, D.C
Embassy of Canada, 501 Pennsylvania Ave NW, 6^th Floor, Washington, D.C.
OPEN TO MEDIA
MEDIA CONTACT: Members of the media must confirm their attendance at the event link.  

This itinerary is subject to change without notice.
To obtain the latest updates, visit www.gg.ca.

SOURCE Governor General of Canada

Media information: In Washington: Annabelle Cloutier, Rideau Hall Press Office, 613-301-2764 (cell), [email protected]; Christine Constantin, Embassy of Canada Spokesperson, 202-682-1175, 202-528-2279 (cell), [email protected]; In Ottawa: Josephine Laframboise, Rideau Hall Press Office, 613-990-9324, 613-668-1929 (cell), [email protected]; Follow GGDavidJohnston and RideauHall on Facebook and Twitter.