Laval University (UL) launched an ambitious fundraising campaign on Wednesday to build a new pavilion dedicated to international affairs. The latter must become the “figurehead” of its planetary influence and increase the prestige of the national capital on the world stage.
This is a major project that takes root at Laval University, likely to reverberate beyond the borders of Quebec, even Canada, according to the rector, Sophie D’Amours. The latter did not hide her enthusiasm. “Today is one of those days when you get up with a happy heart,” she said at the start of the speech.
The University of Quebec aims to erect a “signature pavilion” on its campus, intended to house the school of international studies, a center whose origins date back to the 1960s and which today brings together more than 70 professors from 10 different faculties. Its construction should start in 2025.
“This is a project that will transform the university, believes Mme Of Loves. It will crystallize its international character and make it shine on the world stage. »
To finance what the rector calls “a big dream”, the university inaugurated, on Wednesday morning, a fundraising campaign whose objective, by 2026, amounts to 80 million dollars.
“It’s ambitious, but realistic,” says the rector. Laval University has already collected half of the amount, thanks in particular to a contribution of $27.7 million from the Quebec government.
Mulroney gets involved
To support it in this fundraising effort, the university can count on one of its most illustrious graduates, Brian Mulroney, as honorary president. UL plans to name the upcoming international hub in honor of the former prime minister.
The latter says he is convinced that Quebec can and should think big in international matters, going so far as to dream that a Quebecer, one day, will take the helm of the United Nations. ” Why not ? says the man who led Canada from 1984 to 1993, when the West had to navigate between historic inflation, the decline of the Soviet empire against the backdrop of the Cold War and a series of humanitarian crises fueled by countless conflicts. .
Quebec City, he says, has all the attributes to become a “world reference on international issues” and a “window open to the world”. He dreams that the international crossroads will make it possible to irrigate the international policies of Quebec and Canada, but also to welcome the luminaries of the planet in the national capital.
Stirring up his memories, the former head of state notably recalled that the city of Quebec has already hosted events that have changed the world. It was at the Château Frontenac, said Mr. Mulroney, that North American free trade germinated in the wake of a meeting he had with former US President Ronald Reagan.
“Today, the three countries that are part of NAFTA [devenu ACEUM en 2020] bring together 500 million people, or 7% of the world’s population, but together they produce 28% of the planet’s wealth,” underlines the honorary president of the fundraising campaign. It’s not so bad, for a little guy from Baie-Comeau! »
The amount raised through the fundraising campaign will also contribute to a scholarship program dear to the former Progressive Conservative Prime Minister, who advocates for greater democratization of international affairs.
“By offering recruitment scholarships and creating a new research chair, we will provide students with remarkable opportunities to access stimulating careers,” said Mr. Mulroney.