NEWS RELEASES
JOURNÉE INTERNATIONALE DE LA FRANCOPHONIE: ACKNOWLEDGING AND ENCOURAGING THE CONTRIBUTION OF YOUTH
March 20, 2001 (3:30 p.m. EST) No. 36
JOURNÉE INTERNATIONALE DE LA FRANCOPHONIE:
ACKNOWLEDGING AND ENCOURAGING
THE CONTRIBUTION OF YOUTH
The Canadian Government today invited all Canadians to open their hearts and minds to youth and to their talent,
generosity, energy and creativity so that young people may continue to use a common language to spread such values as the
rule of law, democracy, and respect for human rights throughout the world.
This invitation was made to several hundred of partners in La Francophonie here in Canada and internationally, who had
gathered at the Museum of Civilization in Hull for the annual celebration of the Journée internationale de la Francophonie
in the presence of Prime Minister Jean Chrétien.
"The Canadian Francophonie has entered the new millennium in splendid form. It is vigorous, and prepared to meet every
challenge and have its voice resound throughout the world," said the Prime Minister. "La Journée internationale de la
Francophonie offers all those who love the French language and culture a chance to celebrate its beauty and richness and to
reaffirm our belonging in a Francophonie that is proud, dynamic and ready for the future."
Ron Duhamel, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Secretary of State (Western Economic Diversification) (Francophonie),
Sheila Copps, Minister of Canadian Heritage, and Don Boudria, Minister of State and Government House Leader and
President of the Steering Committee for the IV Games of La Francophonie 2001 were also participating in this ceremony
where the Association canadienne d'éducation de langue française and the Médaille du Richelieu international presented
awards, and several people received the Order of La Pléiade.
Mr. Duhamel indicated that he was "particularly proud of the outstanding work by the Bamako Symposium, where
La Francophonie adopted strong wording reflecting the organization's turning point in relation to democracy and human
rights issues." The Minister's statement manily focussed on La Francophonie's main achievements, midway between the
Moncton Summit and the Beirut Summit, scheduled for October 2001.
"Everywhere in the country, I have met parents, business persons, students and artists -- as many men as women -- who
have told me how proud they are to be living in French in North America," said Ms. Copps. "Francophones in Canada
remind us that our strength as a country depends on solidarity and on respect for diversity. On this International Day of
La Francophonie, I invite the Canadian population and the world at large to celebrate the richness of Francophone cultures
in Canada."
"Holding the Games of La Francophonie in Canada provides Canadians with a unique opportunity to connect with people
from the four corners of the Earth who share a common language. The Games give young Canadian athletes and artists the
chance to compete with the sports and cultural elite of other countries and governments in La Francophonie," said Minister
Boudria.
"As you celebrate this Journée internationale de la Francophonie, I invite you to turn your minds particularly to youth, who
are at the heart of the IV Francophone Games taking place in the National Capital Region from July 14 to 24," concluded
Mr. Duhamel.
Youth was the central theme of the Moncton Summit in September 1999. Numerous programs have been launched to
implement this important part of the Moncton Action Plan, including the Youth Mobility Program. This initiative promotes
partnerships among youth from various countries, focussing on joint projects in all fields of interest.
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Backgrounders are attached.
For further information, media representatives may contact:
PMO Press Office
(613) 957-5555
Jean-Pierre Morin
Office of the Minister of Veterans Affairs and Secretary of State
(Western Economic Diversification) (Francophonie)
(613) 715-2150
Media Relations Office
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
(613) 995-1874
Krista Pawley
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage
(819) 997-7788
Marc Roy
Office of the Government House Leader
(613) 996-6708
This document is also available on the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade's Internet site:
http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca
Backgrounder
CANADA IN LA FRANCOPHONIE
Canada was one of the first countries to promote La Francophonie. By actively participating in establishing and developing
the many institutions of La Francophonie, Canada not only acknowledged the importance of the French presence within its
borders, but also supported the role of the Francophone community internationally. Indeed, Canada was one of the
founding members of the Agence de coopération culturelle et technique (ACCT), which was established at Niamey, Niger,
in 1970. Today, ACCT has a new name -- the Agence intergouvernementale de la Francophonie -- and has assumed a
leadership role in the organization. The Agency is a member of all of the multilateral institutions and ministerial
conferences of La Francophonie.
In September 1999, Canada hosted the eighth conference of heads of state and government of countries using French as a
common language, in Moncton, New Brunswick. These conferences, also known as the summits of La Francophonie, take
place every two years in one of the organization's member countries. Canada also hosted the second summit, which was
held in Quebec City in 1987.
In becoming a member of La Francophonie, Canada joined the network of 55 states and governments using French as a
common language, a network that extends into Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, the Indian and Pacific
oceans, as well as North America and the Caribbean. Membership in La Francophonie gives Canadians greater
opportunities to play an international role in the areas of language and culture, politics, the economy, new technology and
international co-operation. In addition, the rest of the world appreciates Canada's unique contribution to the establishment
of a modern and diverse international Francophone community.
To make it possible for the provinces to take part in the activities of La Francophonie, in the early 1970s the Government of
Canada proposed an innovative approach: granting the status of "participating government" in ACCT to provinces,
enabling them to make a unique contribution to the Agency. Quebec was granted participating government status in 1971,
and New Brunswick in 1977.
On occasion, a Cabinet minister of a provincial government may head the Canadian delegation to a meeting of
La Francophonie and speak on behalf of Canada. This has happened, for example, at conferences of ministers of education,
and youth and sports.
In fact, it was this same spirit of openness that allowed Quebec and New Brunswick to be associated with the summits of
La Francophonie from the outset. Under agreements negotiated with the federal government in 1985, these two provinces
are full participants in matters related to co-operation. In consultation with the Prime Minister and subject to his ad hoc
approval, they can act on global economic issues of interest to them; and they have the status of "interested observer" for
summit discussions of international political issues.
For several years, the Government of Canada has invited the governments of Manitoba and Ontario to appoint a
representative to take part in the summits as part of the Canadian delegation.
STATUS AND DATE OF JOINING LA FRANCOPHONIE
[* Also members of the Commonwealth]
Albania Associate (September 1999)
Belgium Member (March 1970)
Benin Member (March 1970)
Bulgaria Member (December 1993)
Burkina Faso Member (March 1970)
Burundi Member (March 1970)
Cambodia Member (December 1993)
Cameroon* Member (December 1991)
Canada* Member (March 1970)
Canada/New Brunswick Participating Government (December 1977)
Canada/Quebec Participating Government (October 1971)
Cape Verde Member (December 1996)
Central African Republic Member (October 1973)
Chad Member (March 1970)
Comoros Member (December 1977)
Congo Member (December 1981)
Côte d'Ivoire Member (March 1970)
Czech Republic Observer (October 1999)
Democratic Republic of Congo Member (December 1977)
Djibouti Member (December 1977)
Dominica* Member (December 1979)
Egypt Member (December 1983)
Equatorial Guinea Member (December 1989)
Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia Associate (September 1999)
France Member (March 1970)
French Community of Belgium Member (March 1980)
Gabon Member (March 1970)
Guinea Member (December 1981)
Guinea-Bissau Member (December 1979)
Haiti Member (March 1970)
Laos Member (December 1991)
Lebanon Member (June 1973)
Lithuania Observer (October 1999)
Luxembourg Member (March 1970)
Madagascar Member (December 1989)
Mali Member (March 1970)
Mauritania Associate (March 1980)
Mauritius* Member (March 1970)
Moldova Member (February 1996)
Monaco Member (March 1970)
Morocco Member (December 1981)
Niger Member (March 1970)
Poland Observer (October 1997)
Romania Member (December 1993)
Rwanda Member (March 1970)
St. Lucia* Associate (December 1981)
São Tomé and Príncipe Member (December 1995)
Senegal Member (March 1970)
Seychelles* Member (June 1976)
Slovenia Observer (October 1999)
Switzerland Member (February 1996)
Togo Member (March 1970)
Tunisia Member (March 1970)
Vanuatu* Member (December 1979)
Vietnam Member (March 1970)
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