The Bavaria-Quebec Partnership
Origin of the Partnership
At a meeting in Munich in 1989, Bavaria’s former Minister-President, Max Streibl, and Quebec’s former Premier, Robert Bourassa, signed a cooperation agreement between Bavaria and Quebec. It was intended above all to promote trade and exchanges in the areas of science, technology and culture between the two regions. The partnership developed in a very dynamic manner, and over the next 19 years more than 370 projects were successfully implemented.
Bavaria and Quebec: what we have in common
One might wonder why two regions that lie 6,000 kilometers apart and on two different continents decided to cooperate so closely. There are, however, numerous common features that unite the two regions, not only at the economic level, but also in the political and cultural domains. For example, it is important for both partner regions to represent and preserve their political and cultural identity within a federal system.
Furthermore, just like Quebec, Bavaria has undergone a far-reaching transformation in the last 40 years: from a region largely defined by agriculture to a modern high-tech location within Europe. In addition, both regions have experienced integration into larger economic bodies – NAFTA in the case of Quebec and the EU in the case of Bavaria.
Important Dates in the Bavaria-Quebec Partnership:
The cooperation projects: a success story
There are many examples that reflect the richness and the vitality of the partnership between these two regions. The science and technology sector is a focus of the partnership, and in that area one can point to the cooperation between the École Polytechnique and the University of Bayreuth in the field of materials science, as well as to the partnership between the Cité de la Biotech in Laval and Bayern Innovativ in biotechnology as prime examples. The most recent success is certainly the signature in January 2007 of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Réseau Photonique du Quebec and Bayern Photonics that envisions regular meetings and the networking of Quebecois and Bavarian small- and medium-sized enterprises.
In the field of education, the scholarships of the Bavarian Minister-President and the Premier of Quebec are noteworthy: each year these scholarships allow five students to get to know the other partner region in depth. In addition, there is a long-standing exchange program that makes it possible for up to 30 Bavarian schoolchildren to spend three months in Quebec each year.
Cultural exchange also plays an important role in the Bavaria-Quebec partnership. Several cultural events held respectively in each region have helped to introduce the partnership and the two partner regions of Bavaria and Quebec to a broad public. In 2005, Quebec was a guest of honor at the Carnaval de Québec.
Exchanges are also organized in the fields of film and music. In the last four years, Bavarian jazz bands have been invited to play at the Montreal International Jazz Festival. For the 400-year anniversary of the founding of Quebec City in 2008 a further musical highlight is planned: the performance by a Bavaria-Quebec symphony orchestra, which will consist of equal numbers of Bavarian and Quebecois musicians.
A Promising Future
The Bavaria-Quebec partnership has broadened and deepened over the years. Its success is the result of a common political will on the part of both governments and of a cooperation based on trust and friendship between the partners.