SAO PAULO, BRAZIL -- (Marketwire) -- 04/29/12 -- Their Excellencies the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, and Mrs. Sharon Johnston concluded yesterday their official visit to Brazil after a two-day visit in Sao Paulo. While there, the Governor General highlighted Canada's partnerships with Brazil and called upon both countries to collaborate in learning and innovation in the 21st century.

His Excellency delivered an address at the Sao Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP), an independent public foundation with the mission to foster research and the scientific and technological development of the State of Sao Paulo. He reflected on Canada and Brazil's shared traditions of learning and innovation and expressed the desire for both countries to constantly communicate their specific needs and goals to attain innovation. During the event, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) and FAPESP.

"What is particularly remarkable about partnerships in science and technology is that they can occur in areas where Canada and Brazil are both really engaged and active-in agriculture and aerospace engineering, for example. In a science and technology context, our mutual expertise makes us perfect collaborators as we build on our complementary strengths. I want to encourage such collaboration between Brazilians and Canadians," said His Excellency. "Our countries signed a science and technology agreement in 2008 and established a Science and Technology and Innovation Joint Committee in 2011, complete with working groups in four priority areas. In this wonderful variety, a unique innovation ecosystem is taking shape, and I look forward to seeing this relationship deepen and mature in the years to come."

Canada-Brazil linkages in education, innovation and commerce

During his stay in Sao Paulo, the Governor General also delivered remarks at the Canada-Brazil Innovation Nations Forum, where a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between FAPESP and Canadian universities that are members of the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada (AUCC).

His Excellency talked to business leaders, opinion makers, members of academia and politicians from the city of Sao Paulo and across Brazil about the importance of collaboration and how new ideas and new ways of thinking can reinvigorate a community. He reiterated this message to Canadian university presidents and university officials from the State of Sao Paulo at the University of Campinas.

The Governor General met with Geraldo Alckmin, Governor of the State of Sao Paulo, and hosted a round-table discussion with senior representatives of Canadian companies engaged in the Brazilian market in a variety of sectors. They discussed how they benefit from Brazil's strategic location for their global operations, and explored how Canada can better support Canadian companies doing business in Brazil.

Throughout the visit to Brazil, His Excellency was joined by the Honourable Diane Ablonczy, Minister of State of Foreign Affairs (Americas and Consular Affairs); the Honourable Gary Goodyear, Minister of State (Science and Technology) (Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario); parliamentarians; and Canadian delegates who enhanced people-to-people ties with their Brazilian counterparts. These exchanges further developed the wide-ranging and multi-faceted relationship with Brazil, a major economic player and priority market for Canada, and provided greater visibility for bilateral co-operation initiatives in various sectors, particularly in strategies promoting education and economic development.

Their Excellencies are undertaking a working visit to Barbados on April 29 and 30, 2012, where the Governor General will promote stronger business, security and educational linkages with Barbados government officials and civil society.

Members of the public can learn more about these visits online at www.gg.ca, where speeches, photos and videos of the Governor General are posted.

Media can download photos and video of the Governor General's visit to Brazil at http://media-gg-ca.smugmug.com.

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