سومين جشنواره بين‌المللي آموزش زبان موسوم به ‪ , ledex 2008‬بيست و هشتم آبان ماه سال جاري در تهران برگزار مي‌شود

در جشنواره امسال كه با حضور شخصيت‌ها ، عناصر موثر در امر آموزش زبان در سطح كشور و خاورميانه از جمله اساتيد ، مديران ، موسسات آموزشي ، توليد كنندگان تجهيزات آموزشي ، نشريات ، دانش پذيران ، مترجمان ، همچنين علاقمندان به زبان و ناشران برگزار مي‌شود ، شركت‌كنندگان با آخرين متدلوژي و ابزارهاي آموزشي و پژوهش‌هاي انجام شده دراين حوزه ، تنوع زبان ها و گوناگوني روش‌هاي يادگيري و همچنين بازارهاي نوين آموزش زبان از نزديك آشنا مي‌شوند.

سومين جشنواره بين‌المللي آموزش زبان ‪ ledex 2008‬با حمايت وزارت فرهنگ و ارشاد اسلامي ، وزارت آموزش و پرورش ، سازمان پژوهش و برنامه ريزي آموزشي به همت گروه ايده ، از ‪ ۲۸‬آبان تا ‪ ۱‬آذرماه امسال در محل مركز آموزش‌هاي كانون فكري كودكان و نوجوانان ( خيابان حجاب) برگزار مي‌شود.

فعالان صنعت مواد غذایی ایالت انتاریوی کانادا از دولت محلی خواست، مجوز وارد کردن نیروی کار خبره از خارج از کشور را در آن حوزه صادر کند.
«جاستین تیلر» از مسئولان اتحادیه رستوران ها و سروبس های غذایی کانادا با اعلام این مطلب افزود:« ما می خواهیم با این درخواست بگوییم مایل نیستیم ، مهاجران مهندس و پزشک را در رستوران ها و اغذیه فروشی ها بکار بگیریم».
وی افزود، در تابستان گذشته، 38 درصد رستوران ها و فست فودها نتوانستند نیازهای تخصصی خود را برآورده کنند.
دو سال پیش اتحادیه رستوران ها به دولت کانادا هشدار داده بود که برای نجات صنعت 50 میلیار دلاری خدمات غذایی این کشور، نیاز مبرم به مهاجران متخصص دارد.
اما سیستم پذیرش مهاجر که پیش از این اولویت را به مهندسین و پزشکان می داد، توانایی جذب کارکنان رستوران ها و اعذیه فروشی ها را نداشته است.
در طرح پیشنهادی اتحادیه رستوران داران، نسبت به برقراری دوره های آموزشی برای کارگران موقت، تغییر سیستم پذیرش مهاجر به نفع کارگران و افزایش شمار کارگران موقت ، تأکید شده است.
اظافه می شود، طرح جدید پذیرش مهاجر که بر روی پرونده های متقاضیان از 27 فوریه سال جاری میلادی به اجرا در می آید ، بر اساس تخصص های مورد نیاز کشور، به اولویت بندی زمان و نوع پذیرش درخواست ها می پردازد.

As the secretary of state for multiculturalism, Jason Kenney was omnipresent at ethnocultural events and instrumental in redressing Canada's historical wrongs to various minority groups – earning him the trust and respect of immigrant communities.

Now the government is hoping that, as the new immigration minister, the young MP for Calgary Southeast will be able to use his strong ethnic ties to roll out the controversial immigration reforms rammed through by his unpopular predecessor, Diane Finley. Those reforms were contained in a budget bill passed during the final days of the last Parliament to further restrict immigrant selections.

However, Kenney's appointment to the cabinet post Thursday also came with hopes by advocacy groups and the ethnic communities. They hope he will address their concerns over what they see as a dramatic shift in immigration policies that increasingly view newcomers as an economic unit, wanted for nothing more than their job skills.

"He's very engaged with the community. He came out to a number of events and listened to different groups and took the leadership on the government's Chinese head tax redress initiatives. We appreciated that," said Victor Wong, executive director of the Chinese Canadian National Council.

"The expectation is he will be able to hear us out on our deep concern over (the immigration changes), take that into account, and not just be led by the bureaucrats in the immigration department."

Thomas Saras, president of the National Ethnic Press and Media Council, said Kenney organized a meeting, at his request, with Prime Minister Stephen Harper two weeks into the election campaign, and that the opposition parties weren't as responsive.

"I do believe he's the type of politician who pays attention to what the other side is saying. He's one of the very few politicians who is down to earth. I trust Jason and I believe we are going to make some improvements," Saras said.

Kenney is a familiar face to Canada's growing Filipino community, which was particularly impressed when the then-state secretary of multiculturalism attended a community function in August and shared the stage with Juana Tejada, a nanny who was denied permanent residency in Canada because she had cancer.

"What we are concerned with is the policy of the federal government under Harper of taking in a big number of temporary foreign workers," said Hermie Garcia, editor of The Philippine Reporter. "In a lot of cases, these workers work under wages that are very much below the common standard in Canada. Their working conditions and living conditions are very substandard, too. This is a shabby way of treating foreign workers."

Garcia added: "If Jason Kenney would like to have an impact on the immigrant population, he should be able to make real significant changes" for temporary foreign workers.

Sima Sahar Zerehi, an organizer of the grassroots campaign against the immigration changes, said Kenney's appointment signals the government's attempt to use his reputation among immigrants to silence opposition to the immigration changes.

"This is part of an ongoing tendency for the government to reduce immigration issues to congratulatory messages to minority groups," Zerehi said. "I think the government is feeling the pressure to repackage the immigration reforms and better communicate them to the public."

Although Janet Dench of the Canadian Council for Refugees knows little about Kenney, she said the new minister already has his work cut out for him.

Kenney, she said, must address the refugee backlog through timely appointments to the Immigration and Refugee Board and immediately establish the promised refugee appeal division that was approved before Parliament's dissolution. The minister should also increase the number of UN refugees resettled in Canada, Dench said.

در تازه ترین رتبه بندی دانشگاههای جهان که توسط موسسه QS ارائه شد، دانشگاه مک گیل کانادا در مونترآل ، رتبه بیستم را از آن خود کرد و
دانشگاه های بریتیش کلمبیا، تورنتو، آلبرتا و مونترآل، به تر تیب در رتبه های 34،41،74 و 91 قرار گرفتند.
در این گزارش دانشگاه هاروارد برای پنجمین سال متوالی، صدر نشین باقی ماند و دانشگاه های ییل از آمریکا و کمبریج و آکسفورد از انگلیس در رتبه های دوم تا چهارم قرار گرفتند.
علاوه بر دانشگاه های آمریکایی و انگلیسی، تنها دو دانشگاه ملی استرالیا و دانشگاه توکیو از دانشگاه ها مک گیل کانادا برتر بوده اند.
6 دانشگاه دیگر کانادایی شامل: مک مستر، کوئین، واترلو، وسترن انتاریو،سایمون فریزر،کلگری و دال هاوس نیز در بین رتبه های 100 تا 200 هستند.
همچنین دانشگاه تورنتو دهمین دانشگاه برتر جهان در مهندسی و دانشگاه مک گیل نیز دهمین دانشگاه در علوم پزشکی معرفی شدند.
جایگاه دانشگاه های کانادایی در بین 100 دانشگاه برتر جهان بر اساس رشته های تخصصی:
هنر و علوم انسانی:
تورنتو: 11
مک گیل:13
بریتیش کلمبیا: 18
مونترآل:59
یورک:70
آلبرتا:88

علوم پزشکی:
مک گیل:10
تورنتو:13
بریتیش کلمبیا:14
آلبرتا:45
مک مستر:52
مونترآل:60

علوم طبیعی:
تورنتو:9
بریتیش کلمبیا:20
مک گیل:22
واترلو:42
آلبرتا:51
مک مستر:82
مونترآل:91

علوم اجتماعی:
بریتیش کلمبیا:12
مک گیل:14
تورنتو:16
یورک:53
کوئین:56
وسترن انتاریو:61
سایمون فریزر:64
مونترآل:70
مک مستر:94

تکنولوژی و مهندسی:
تورنتو:10
مک گیل:18
بریتیش کلمبیا:22
واترلو:30
آلبرتا:46
مک مستر:79
مونترآل:87
کلگری:90

Despite the economic woes facing America, its neighbour Canada is much better placed to weather the global financial storm with its strong levels of employment, its oil and gas reserves and the fact that it has enjoyed 10 consecutive years of balanced budgets.

Therefore many people are taking a second look at Canada as a place to potentially live and work, retire or perhaps invest in a second home. A stable economy, a low crime environment, a very high standard of living, relatively affordable property prices and a more liberal attitude to immigration also all mean that Canada really is an excellent choice.

For those contemplating a diversification of their financial affairs or who are in search of a robust yet profitable property market, the Canadian real estate landscape really is well worth closer inspection. There are pockets of the nation where one can find the perfect balance between well-priced and attractive properties that have maximum second home and tourism rental appeal. Areas such as Mont Tremblant in Quebec, Eastern North America's #1 ski resort, Nova Scotia or St Sauveur have all come onto the radar for domestic and international property investors and holiday home seekers in recent months, as a greater awareness has arisen of just how universally popular Canada is as a vacation destination.

Previously lesser-known provinces such as Quebec are now known for benefiting buyers by the very fact that they are more affordably priced because demand for real estate over the years has been less intense. They also potentially profit investors because the reputation of an area such as Mont Tremblant, Quebec has risen due to it being thought of as the best ski resort in Eastern North America and because of its celebrity appeal - Catherine Zeta-Jones and Michael Douglas, both renowned property investors, have an estate in Mont Tremblant with an incredible view of the mountain for example.

For those seeking the most versatile property in Canada, again an area like Mont Tremblant, Quebec is ideal because the winter season starts as early as November and runs well into April, and then the summer season kicks in - and with its golf courses, fabulous lakes, hiking and biking trails, Mont Tremblant is a true four seasons resort. This gives owners of a second home all year to enjoy their property, and it gives those who want to raise an income from their real estate investment purchase a 12-month rental season.

Now, because of the very nature of the resort - i.e., it is famed for its stunning scenery, the fresh air, lush forests, clean lakes and rivers - it is also an area of Canada where the planners and developers are very careful to remain faithful and sensitive to the inimitably perfect surroundings. This gives those who have an environmental conscience peace of mind when looking for real estate too. Developers such as the Walker Corporation are leading the way with their 46˚ North resort of environmentally sustainable log home hideaways set within a 500 acre rolling estate on the edges of Lake Mitchell and the Parc National du Mont-Tremblant.

According to Lang Walker, Executive Chairman of Walker Corporation: "those looking to buy a home overseas should definitely consider investing in a property in East Canada. Despite the global economic crisis the country has remained relatively unscathed and is in a strong economic position - appealing to those looking to make a safe investment in high quality property. Areas such as Mont Tremblant in Quebec, where we're currently 46˚ North, have a greater appeal as they provide excellent winter sports and outdoor pursuits facilities. The province of Quebec is also predicted to continue growing in 2009 which should provide further reassurance to those looking to buy."

The latest edition of Next Big Thing from Real Estate TV specifically focuses on Canada's appeal as a second home location, particularly with those attracted to the new wave of eco-friendly property designs that Canada's developing a world-class reputation for. RETV also has a special feature on the resort of Mont Tremblant; it identifies the fact that as greater numbers of people are beginning to see that the resort is not just a #1 ski destination, but that it has massive year round appeal, is within reach of vibrant, chic and sophisticated Montreal and its international air links, so demand for rental and resale real estate could follow.

A report released by the Conference Board of Canada says the Canadian Immigration and Citizenship (CIC) would need to increase their migration programme by 110,000 places annually by 2025 if it is to meet its labour shortage, reports Thaindian News.
Each year, the CIC allows around 250,000 migrants enter the country permanently, with India and China being the biggest sources of immigrants. However, the Conference Board of Canada, an independent research company, said this number would need to increase to 360,000 annually by 2025 for the Canadian economy to grow at a steady rate.

The report shows 15.3 per cent of the Canadian workforce is almost ready to retire, being above 55 years of age, and that only 2.7 workers are entering the workforce to replace every five retirees. One-fifth of the Canadian economy relies upon immigrants already, and it seems the growing shortage in the labour market will grow even more dependent on foreign workers.

The report suggested the CIC should allow more workers on temporary Canadian visas to become permanent residents, and to increase its annual refugee quota. In 2007, around 250,000 migrants to Canada were temporary workers while 75,000 arrived on a Canadian student visa.

The Canadian Government has recently increased measures to tighten immigration and give the Immigration Minister the power to fast-track applications for skilled migrants to Canada.

یک گزارش جدید نشان می دهد ، با توجه به بازنشستگی گروه بزرگی از اساتید دانشگاه های کانادا ، این مؤسسات مجبور به ورود به رقابت جهانی برای جذب استعدادهای بین المللی خواهند شد.
براساس بیانیه منتشره در آخرین اجلاس روسای دانشگاه های کانادا، در حالیکه این کشور بیش از هر زمان دیگر دارای هیأت علمی دانشگاهی است، اما نیمی از 41،000 استاد و پژوهشگر، که همگی متعلق به یک نسل هستند، تا سال 2016 به طور همزمان به کار خود پایان خواهند داد.
گفته می شود برای پر کردن خلاء مذکور ، دست کم 10 تا 15 هزار استاد جدید، می بایست طی چند سال آینده ، جذب شوند.
دانشگاه های کانادا در نظر دارند علاوه بر جذب استاد خارجی، نسبت به افزایش دوره های دکترا و PHD برای تربیت مدرس داخلی، اقدام نمایند.
اضافه می شود هم اکنون شرکت های خصوصی تجاری ، بیش از دو سوم افراد با تحصیلات بالای دکترا را برای امور غیر آموزشی جذب کرده اند.

The Nova Scotia government is expanding the number of immigrants who are eligible for refunds under a tainted work program that brought them to the province.

The program - which has been sent to the RCMP for further investigation by the province's auditor general - attracted more than 800 immigrants who paid fees of about $130,000 in return for middle-management job placements.

To qualify for refunds, immigrants must have started work with a so-called business mentor under the program before October 2007.

They and their dependents must also have lived in the province for at least 12 consecutive months before this month, and have been living in the province as of Oct. 1 and when they make their application.

Under a previous refund scheme announced by the province, only nominees who had not signed work contracts before October 2007 were eligible for refunds.

Many immigrants have complained they never received the job training they paid for when they arrived in Canada.

In announcing the refund program on Tuesday, the province says the amount of money paid back to immigrants would depend on how much they have already been paid back by businesses that hired them.

Earlier this month after the auditor general found irregularities in the program, Immigration Minister Len Goucher said he expected the province would repay money to about 400 immigrants who have remained in the province.

"We believe that nominees and their families, who have proven their commitment to Nova Scotia and building their futures here, should be eligible for the refund as well," Goucher said in a statement.

All applications must be submitted to the province by Jan. 5.

A study based on Canada's census data has revealed that a higher proportion of the children of Canadian immigrants attend university compared with the children of Canadian-born citizens.

The census data shows that twice as many second-generation Asian-Canadian women aged 25-37 years old have university degrees compared with non-immigrant Canadian-born women of the same age. Earning power amongst second-generation immigrants aged 25-37 is 6% higher than the earning power of their Canadian-born counterparts.

The highest number of women employed in the country came from the second-generation immigrants group aged 25-37 years, at 72 per cent. Immigrant parents with less education were more likely to have highly educated children - this is opposite to the findings for non-immigrant families.

The study's author is Miles Corak, a professor of the University of Ottawa. He said of the findings: "The study offers a more precise picture of where discontent and disengagement might arise in Canadian society."

The results of the study will be good news for The Canadian Immigration and Citizenship (CIC) which aims to improve and streamline the immigration system so that more foreign workers will move to Canada.

Canada has joined with other Western countries in condemning Iran's crackdown on dissidents, many of them scholars, artists and writers.

But about 500 Iranian-born Canadians have signed a petition to Ottawa's political leaders protesting what they say is worsening discrimination against Iranians who want to visit Canada, some of them internationally known dissidents on the blacklist of the regime.

"It makes no sense to deny visas to people who are moderates, and want to bring that message to Canada," said Saeed Soltanpour, host of the Glass Ceiling program on Iranian Television Canada. "Those people shouldn't feel that they are being left alone."

In a phone interview from Tehran, Ottawa's chargé d'affaires James Carrick said suspicions that Iranian visa-seekers have fallen victim to a backlash from the two countries' political tensions were unfounded, adding there was no policy to exclude Iranians from Canada.

Ottawa's ambassador to Tehran was expelled last year after Canada rejected Iranian candidates for ambassador to Ottawa. That followed years of wrangling over political and human rights concerns.

"There has been no change in our (visa) policy," Carrick said. "It's my understanding that in the past two years the approval rate for visas has increased."

Immigration officials say that each case is examined on its merits, and they must be confident those granted visas will return to their countries.

Those rejected received form letters saying that officials were "not satisfied" they would go back to Iran – a statement that leaves many puzzled.

Mohamad Tavakoli-Targhi, of the University of Toronto, who organized one of the world's largest gatherings of Iranian scholars in Toronto last July, said "the difficulty in securing visas this year was unprecedented," in spite of efforts to smooth the way by meeting with Canadian officials and travelling to Iran.

Only a minority of several hundred Iranian artists and intellectuals invited to other Toronto events this summer were granted visas, Soltanpour said.

One rejected applicant, Hasan Yousefi Eshkevari, is a prominent clerical reformer who planned to lecture on democracy and women's rights. And, said Soltanpour, the Canadian embassy has failed to return his passport.

Citizenship and Immigration Canada said it would look into his case.

Another, Mohsen Namjou – known as Iran's Bob Dylan – had his Toronto concert cancelled when the popular performer was denied a visa.

Speaking from Tehran, Mahmood Schricker of the Toronto-based Small World Music organization, said it was "the first time in eight years" that the government-supported performing arts group had an Iranian artist's visa application turned down. Namjou was later admitted to the U.S., Schricker said.

Relatives of Iranian Canadians, and prospective students, have also been barred from visiting Canada, a situation that sparked the "anti-discrimination" petition backed by Liberal MPP Reza Moridi (Richmond Hill), himself an Iranian-Canadian.

The petition calls visa refusals "arbitrary," and claims that those turned down on the grounds of "limited ties to Iran" have increased since 2004. It calls for an investigation of "any violations of human rights."

Relations between Canada and Iran have been rocky since former Canadian ambassador Ken Taylor helped to rescue a group of Americans from Tehran during the 1979-81 hostage crisis. They worsened with the 2003 murder of Montreal photojournalist Zahra Kazami, who died in custody in an Iranian jail.

Human rights groups have long argued for more open visa regulations in Western countries to allow Iranians better contact with the West, increasing their exposure to democratic societies. But Iran's poor international image, and its ongoing confrontations over its nuclear program, have lowered expectations that would happen soon.