Governor Ryan Declares International Education Week in Illinois

SPRINGFIELD -- Governor George H. Ryan today issued a proclamation declaring November 13 - November 17 International Education Week in Illinois joining a nationwide declaration made by the United State Secretary of Education.

The proclamation was presented as Patricio Martinez, Governor of Chihuahua, Mexico, Counsul General Wei Ruixing from China and Cuban Ambassador Fernando Remirez planned visits to Illinois this week.

"The education of our children is a concern to everyone throughout the world," Governor Ryan said. "Providing an opportunity for all children to learn about other cultures, languages and governments allows us to prepare our students to be successful in a global society."

International Education Week is part of a larger response by the Departments of Education and State aimed at increasing support for international education. Ambassadors serving in the United States have been invited to visit a school or college during the week.

During his recent trips abroad, Governor Ryan spoke to students at the University of Havana in Cuba and Vista University in Soweto, South Africa and Rand Afrikaans University in Johannesburg South Africa. He noted the technological advances that increase the business opportunities abroad and the need for educational institutions to keep pace with those advances in order to better prepare students for the future.