Close of the Rendez-Vous 2012 - Montréal, Cultural Metropolis - Energized and mobilized, Montréal is on course for 2017
MONTREAL, Nov. 26, 2012 /CNW Telbec/ - The Rendez-Vous 2012 - Montréal, Cultural Metropolis, held today at TOHU, came to an end in a spirit of optimism as approximately 800 participants once again affirmed their commitment to working together to develop and raise the profile of Montréal as a cultural metropolis.
The participants agreed that the momentum from the 2007 Rendez-Vous is stronger than ever, and it continues to foster awareness and major accomplishments that are the core components of a world-class cultural metropolis. All the Steering Committee partners faced tests of their determination and willingness to make concerted efforts. Today, their approach is one of Montréal's greatest strengths, countering inward-looking, do-nothing tendencies.
Throughout the day, the participants who spoke each made a significant contribution to achieving the objectives of the 2007-2017 Action Plan, with three main focuses:
Local Montréal - Cultural development of the metropolis on a local scale: development of cultural neighbourhoods, because a cultural metropolis must experience its culture in all its facets; the resident at the heart of cultural action, as an active participant and not only as a spectator.
Global Montréal - The international influence of Montréal, Cultural Metropolis: More than ever, the national and international scope of Montréal's cultural activity is on the agenda.
New funding models - Investment in culture remains strong in Montréal, from both the public and private sectors. This trend must be maintained and its impacts must be maximized to build economic models that are resilient, renewable and sustainable.
For all the subjects addressed under each focus, the Steering Committee identified many opportunities to renew its practices for cooperation and pooling of efforts to ensure ongoing and effective follow-up on the Action Plan. This will safeguard the harmonious and dynamic development of Montréal as a cultural metropolis.
On the path to fulfilling the 2007-2017 Action Plan - Montréal, Cultural Metropolis, the meeting that ended today was an outstanding opportunity for players from all cultural sectors of the metropolis to support, enrich and strengthen the Action Plan. This will make it possible for the vision of Montréal, Cultural Metropolis to be ready in time for celebrations marking the 50th anniversary of Expo 67, the 150th anniversary of Canadian Confederation and, of course, the 375th anniversary of the founding of Montréal.
"The Government of Canada is pleased to have participated in the Rendez-Vous 2012 - Montréal, Cultural Metropolis and to work together with its partners to carry out the 2007-2017 Action Plan," said the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages. "We are maintaining our commitment to work with the Government of Québec, the City of Montréal and the cultural, economic and social sectors to position Montréal as a 21st-century cultural metropolis."
"This civic exercise in which we took part today with our partners re-affirms the importance attached by the Government of Québec to the cultural development of Montréal and its international outreach. This synergy will help to put in place an enhanced range of cultural offerings, which will be beneficial to the entire arts sector. As a centre for creation and innovation, Montréal is a unique city for presentation of art and the rich diversity of its creators," said Maka Kotto, Quebec's Minister of Culture and Communications, and Jean-François Lisée, Quebec's Minister for International Relations, La Francophonie and External Trade, and Minister responsible for the region of Montréal.
"We were at TOHU today for an update after five years of implementation of the Action Plan to celebrate the progress achieved but also because we are aware that there is still much work to be done. Our presence today definitely shows our pride but also our determination to build the future of our cultural metropolis. The arts, culture, heritage and design are among our strengths, and we must build on them to make Montréal a 21st-century success and a world-class cultural metropolis," said Montréal Mayor Michael Applebaum.
"This meeting shows the strong momentum toward making Montréal an international cultural metropolis. There have been many achievements, showing the commitment of all partners. Montréal is gradually taking its place among the world's great cultural cities. Now I hope that we will meet two challenges in the coming five years: We have to go beyond the downtown and develop Montréal's cultural districts, and we must find the right methods to increase private-sector funding for our cultural creators," said Michel Leblanc, President and CEO of the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montréal.
"Five years ago, at the November 2007 Rendez-Vous, hundreds of leaders from all business sectors in Montréal endorsed the 2007-2017 Action Plan for the city's cultural development. Today's meeting has been an opportunity for a mid-course update on the Action Plan, and also an opportunity to gain fresh momentum. The cultural metropolis cannot be developed without the active involvement of residents, as well as the empowerment of all segments of society within a given area. Today's discussions brought forward basic themes, such as the place of creativity in Montréal life, public spaces, social innovation, the rich and diverse life of neighbourhoods, and the role of emerging practices in developing the city. The discussions opened the door to creative, original and innovative approaches for continuing to improve the quality of life of residents, the artistic vitality of Montréal neighbourhoods and the ability to raise the city's profile," said Simon Brault, Chair of Culture Montréal and Chair of the Steering Committee of Montréal, Cultural Metropolis.
This ambitious undertaking will strengthen Montréal's reputation within Canada and beyond. It would not have been possible without the efforts made by the Steering Committee of Montréal, Cultural Metropolis, which has the following members:
Michael Applebaum, Mayor of Montréal
Simon Brault, Chair of Culture Montréal and Chair of the Steering Committee
Élaine Ayotte, Member of the Executive Committee of the Ville de Montréal, responsible for Culture, Heritage and Design
Diane Giard, Executive Vice-President, Personal and Commercial Banking, National Bank of Canada
Maka Kotto, Quebec Minister of Culture and Communications
Michel Leblanc, President and CEO, Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montréal
Jean-François Lisée, Quebec Minister for International Relations, La Francophonie and External Trade, and Minister responsible for the region of Montréal
The Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages
The Honourable Christian Paradis, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Quebec
Javier San Juan, President and CEO, L'Oréal Canada
Alexandre Taillefer, Managing Partner, XPND Capital
Note: Manuela Goya is Secretary General of Montréal, Cultural Metropolis.
SOURCE: MONTREAL, CULTURAL METROPOLIS
Sylvie Deslauriers
Press Secretary
514-824-0670 / [email protected]
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