NEWS RELEASES
CANADA SUPPORTS PROGRAMMING FOR AGENCIES OFLA FRANCOPHONIE
January 11, 2002 (2:00 p.m. EST) No. 2
CANADA SUPPORTS PROGRAMMING FOR AGENCIES OF
LA FRANCOPHONIE
Ronald J. Duhamel, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Secretary of State (Western Economic Diversification)
(Francophonie), participated today in Paris in the Ministerial Conference of La Francophonie, at which programming for
agencies of La Francophonie for the next two years was adopted.
"Canada accords special importance to projects relating to democracy, strengthening women's rights and cultural diversity,"
said Minister Duhamel. "Canada will also continue to encourage the use of information technology in all programming
fields, and of course, to promote the French language, notably within international organizations."
A direct consequence of the postponement of the IX Francophone Summit in Beirut following the September 11 terrorist
attacks, which were strongly denounced by La Francophonie, this special Conference has brought together ministers from
the 55 states and governments of La Francophonie and is ensuring the continuity of the activities of its institutions.
In addition to approving the programming for the next two years, the ministers appointed Roger Dehaybe for a second four-year term as general administrator of the Intergovernmental Agency of the Francophonie (AIF), the main agency of
La Francophonie. The Secretary-General of the International Organization of the Francophonie, Boutros Boutros-Ghali, will
remain in his position until the next Summit in Beirut, which is now scheduled for next fall.
To ensure consistency in activities and synergy between policy actions and cooperation, the programming for the agencies
of La Francophonie -- including the AIF, the Agency of Francophone Universities and TV5 Monde -- follows up to a
large extent on the ministerial conferences that have been chaired by Canada since the Moncton Summit, namely: the
Luxembourg Conference on Women's Rights; the Bamako Symposium on Democracy, Rights and Freedoms; and the
Cotonou Conference on Culture.
"The programming resulting from these conferences reflects Canadian foreign policy objectives in terms of human security,
good governance and cultural diversity," added Minister Duhamel. "I am especially pleased that the institutions of La
Francophonie provide for tangible measures in the event of a crisis or breakdown in democracy, and in cases of human
rights violations in La Francophonie."
Canada is maintaining its contribution to La Francophonie for 2002 and 2003. Numerous organizations from all parts of
Canada will be involved in carrying out these projects. Among other things, Minister Duhamel announced a one-time
contribution of $500 000 to the AIF to help implement the "Women and Development" component of the Luxembourg
Conference action plan. This initiative is designed to foster a new approach to development based on gender equality.
For more information on Canada in La Francophonie, please visit the Web site:
http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/foreignp/francophonie/menu-e.htm
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For further information, media representatives may contact:
Media Relations Office
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
(613) 995-1874
http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca
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