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 Programs - Multilateral Programs - La Francophonie - Multilateral Cooperation
Multilateral Cooperation
The International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF) [Organisation internationale de la Francophonie] is chiefly responsible for implementing the development programs and projects of La Francophonie. At the Ouagadougou Summit in November 2004, its members adopted a ten-year strategic framework that establishes the four key areas of its multilateral activities (www.francophonie.org/oif/missions.cfm) until 2014:
- promoting peace, democracy, and human rights;
- supporting education, training, higher education, and research;
- developing cooperation for sustainable development and solidarity;
- promoting the French language and cultural diversity.
Four specialized operators, active in specific areas, support the OIF in its work:
- The Agency of Francophone Universities (AUF) [Agence universitaire de la Francophonie] encompasses the majority of (partially or wholly) French language universities, major schools, and key research institutes. Headquartered in Montreal, the AUF carries out scientific programs in law, information technology, and open distance training. Through its Francophonie Program, CIDA financially supports the AUF’s University Cooperation and Development Fund, which aims to promote dialogue and joint projects between academic experts in developed and developing countries.
- The International Association of Mayors and Officials of Partially or Wholly Francophone Capitals and Major Cities (AIMF) [Association internationale des maires francophones] is La Francophonie’s urban development operator. The AIMF encompasses 156 capitals and major cities in 46 countries. The AIMF is both a consultative forum and a cooperation network that seeks to strengthen local democracy. The AIMF also implements projects to modernize city management and to improve the well-being of citizens. The Canadian cities of Moncton, Québec, Montréal, Gatineau, and Ottawa are members of the AIMF.
- Senghor University in Alexandria, Egypt, was created by the heads of state and government gathered at the Dakar Summit in 1989. It has a mandate to develop senior managers in the countries of La Francophonie in four key areas: administration and management, environmental management, nutrition and health, and cultural heritage management.
- TV5 Monde, the French-language multilateral television network, is the broadcasting tool of the worldwide group of French-language television networks. Beamed into more than 147 million homes on five continents, its schedules offer daily information programming, magazines, films, and cultural, sports, and youth programming that reflect the diversity of its partners.
The institutions of La Francophonie also include two other intergovernmental organizations:
- In 1960, Canada helped to create the Conference of National Education Ministers in French-speaking countries (CONFEMEN) [Conférence des ministres de l’Éducation des pays ayant le français en partage]. This is La Francophonie’s oldest institution. It brings together the ministers of education of 41 member states and governments. They unite their efforts to promote education and technical and vocational training. In particular, CONFEMEN has the formal mandate to promote Education for All (EFA) in line with efforts by Francophone countries to reduce poverty, mobilize and diversify resources, and help to steer its members’ education systems.
- The Conference of Youth and Sport Ministers from countries sharing the use of French (CONFEJES) [Conférence des ministres de la Jeunesse et des Sports des pays ayant le français en partage] has the particular role of advising and assisting member countries in its two areas of expertise. In practical terms, among other things, CONFEJES carries out train-the-trainer projects. It promotes initiatives to integrate youth into society and the economy by helping to develop associations and to fund projects by young entrepreneurs. It also helps to promote equitable participation by women and girls in youth and sports activities.
Finally, La Francophonie can also rely on three other bodies to contribute to its cooperation efforts:
- The Francophone Institute of New Information Technologies and Training (INTIF) [Institut francophone des nouvelles technologies de l’information et de la formation] is La Francophonie’s preferred tool in its efforts to help all its member countries to become part of the information society. Whether by establishing regional train-the-trainer programs, developing tools, or defining measurement indicators, the Institute promotes cooperation among developing countries and calls on local expertise to build existing capacities.
- Created in 1988 and based in Québec, the Energy and Environmental Institute of la Francophonie (IEPF) [Institut de l’énergie et de l’environnement de la Francophonie] has a mandate to help build national capacities and to develop partnerships in energy resource use and management, and in including environmental concerns in national policies.
- Finally, the members of the Parliamentary Assembly of La Francophonie (APF) [Assemblée parlementaire de la Francophonie] carry out joint inter-parliamentary dialogue and cooperation efforts. Among other things, they help to establish democratic institutions and conduct election observer missions. The APF numbers 73 Parliaments or inter-parliamentary organizations on five continents. In Canada, apart from the Parliament of Canada, members include the legislative assemblies of Manitoba, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia, and the National Assembly of Quebec.
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