Message from the Honourable Josée Verner following the 11th Summit of La Francophonie in Bucharest
| |
Summit of La Francophonie:
|
Canada showed that it is strongly committed to the worldwide French-speaking community at the 11th Summit of Heads of State and of Government that ended recently in Bucharest. First, we resolved to act more vigorously to prevent international conflict. Second, we agreed to increase our activities to make education available to all, encourage the use of the new technologies, and promote the use of French internationally.
For me, the Summit was an opportunity to reiterate our desire to work with the world’s poorest countries. Remembering that three-quarters of the member countries of La Francophonie (40 out of 53) are affected by extreme poverty, we realize the scale of the challenges that persist within the francophone world. In the French-speaking countries of the South, two children in five do not go to school. We have to act. This is why basic education for all is a central concern for me, and why we will be increasing our investment in this area.
When I visited Mali in August of this year, I saw how much development assistance from Canada was not only helping to improve the lives of the citizens, but also to ensure a brighter future for needy children. International cooperation plays a paramount role in relations between French-speaking countries, and must continue to do so.
Matching actions to words, in Bucharest I had the pleasure of signing a Memorandum of Understanding that sealed an agreement between Canada and France on development cooperation in the French-speaking world. Given that Canada and France are the two main sources of funding for La Francophonie, this is an important agreement that will improve the effectiveness and the results of development aid. This road map will lead to shared initiatives in priority sectors: La Francophonie, education and training, governance and environment. Greater equality between men and women, a priority for Canada, will be central to our cooperation projects. Projects to be carried out under this agreement will target Africa, and also Haiti, a country with which Canada holds a special relationship.
In Bucharest, I also met with the Prime Minister of Haiti, Jacques Édouard Alexis to reiterate Canada's support for the development of his country, which is a commitment of more than $520 million over five years. Prime Minister Alexis emphasized how much his country appreciated Canada's support and the speed with which we act.
The Organisation internationale de la Francophonie (OIF) faces numerous challenges to realize its full potential and achieve the objectives it has set for itself in terms of preventing conflict in the world and contributing to the development of its member countries. We have assured the Secretary General of the OIF, Abdou Diouf, of Canada's support in the modernization of this institution with a view to more efficient management.
Bucharest also gave me an opportunity to support the Association internationale des maires francophones (which represents French-speaking mayors worldwide) in their desire to develop effective partnerships among cities in the French-speaking world and establish a system of results-based management.
Lastly, two years from now, Canada and Québec will be welcoming the 12th Summit of La Francophonie to my home town, Quebec City. The year 2008 marks the 400th anniversary of the foundation of Quebec City, and the birth of French Canada. As Prime Minister Stephen Harper very rightly noted in his speech to the Summit of La Francophonie, French is Canada's founding language. The year 2008 will be an opportunity for us to celebrate the richness and diversity of our French culture, and our membership in the international French-speaking community.
The Honourable Josée Verner
Minister of International Cooperation and Minister for La Francophonie and Official Languages
|
|