About the Centre for Canadian Studies

The Centre, founded in 1988 at the University of Groningen, is the only Canadian Studies Centre in the Netherlands. Its objective is the promotion of education and research related to various aspects of Canada. The following disciplines are represented: Literature, Literary Translation, Linguistics, Communication Studies, American Studies, Arctic Studies, Anthropology, History, Political Science, Geography, Law, Management and Organization. The contribution of these varied fields of study offer the possibility of an interdisciplinary approach. Since 2003-2004 the Centre has offered the "Minor in Canadian Studies: Aspects of a multicultural society" (20 ECTS), consisting of the following topics: geography and ecology, history and politics, literatures and cultures of anglophone and francophone Canada, studied in relation to multiculturalism. In May 1995, the University Fund at Groningen founded a chair in Canadian Studies.

 

Close contacts have been established with the Canadian Embassy in The Netherlands, the "Délégation générale du Québec" in Brussels, the International Council for Canadian Studies (Ottawa), and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (The Hague).

 

The Centre attaches great importance to international cooperation. To this effect, agreements of cooperation have been concluded with Canadian Universities which participate in student and lecturer exchanges: University of Calgary (Calgary), Concordia University (Montreal), Laval University (Quebec), McGill University (Montreal), Queen's University (Kingston), University of Sherbrooke and the University of Western Ontario (London). Joint research activities and publications contribute to the realization of the Centre's objectives.

 

The importance of the Centre with regard to academic relationships with Canada was recognized and emphasized in 1996 during the visit to the Netherlands by the General Governor of Canada, S.E. Roméo LeBlanc. Accompanied by Her Majesty Queen Beatrix, they visited the University of Groningen where they attended a presentation on the exchange programme with Canadian universities.

 

In 2002 a luncheon took place in The Hague to promote the activities of the Canadian Studies Centre and to strengthen the bilateral contacts between The Netherlands and Canada. Her Royal Highness Princess Margriet and Mr. Pieter van Vollenhoven were the guests of honour. Eighty guests attended the lunch from the Canadian Embassy, the "Délégation générale du Québec" in Brussels, the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Economic Affairs and numerous multinational corporations.

 

The Centre is supported by the Canadian Government and represented by the Canadian Embassy and the Association for Canadian Studies in the Netherlands.