Conference of Youth and Sport Ministers from countries sharing the use of French (CONFÉJES)

(Conférence des ministres de la jeunesse et des sports des pays ayant le français en partage)

• CONFÉJES Programming
• PCH's role
• Ministerial Priorities
• Member States and Governments

Established in 1969, the CONFÉJES strives to strengthen solidarity and cooperation among young people in Francophone countries through an exchange policy. It is currently made up of 38 member States and Governments. In 1987, at the Francophonie Summit held in Quebec City, the CONFÉJES was given the mandate to organize and ensure the continuity of the Games of La Francophonie. To accomplish this mandate, the Games of the Francophonie International Committee (CIJF-Comité international des Jeux de La Francophonie)(only available in French) was established; it is also responsible for organizing the Games.

Canada has been a member of CONFÉJES since its inception; Quebec and New Brunswick both have participatory government status.

CONFÉJES programming is divided into three components:

Program I: Institutional support for implementing and strengthening national policies for youth and sport
Objective: To support initiatives by member States and Governments to implement national policies for youth and sport

Program II: Promoting youth and the development of sport
Objective: To provide effective support for action by member States and Governments to promote youth and develop sport

Program III: CONFÉJES management training and development program
Objective: To support management training policies and strategies for managers in the Departments of Youth and Sport and in training institutes

The CONFÉJES General Secretariat receives project proposals from member countries, existing sector-based groups, consultations, multilateral partners, and the like. It formalizes these proposals and incorporates them into annual programming. It then submits them at the ministerial session or the Bureau meeting, which brings together only 15 of the member States of the CONFÉJES. Projects that have been incorporated into programming for the year are managed and coordinated by the General Secretariat, in conjunction with member States and Governments and partners involved in the development of sport and youth. The General Secretariat does not accept projects submitted directly by a national body. Input from departments responsible for sport and youth in the States and Governments -- as institutional partners -- is vital.

PCH's role

The International Francophonie Directorate (IFD) works with Foreign Affairs Canada (FAC) to develop Canada's position in terms of the CONFÉJES programming elaboration, evaluation and priorities establishment. The Directorate liaises with Sport International, the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) and FAC.

Ministerial priorities

Women and Sport

For many years now, Canada has been stressing the importance of an enhanced and more equitable participation by girls and women in CONFÉJES programming. Canada's efforts have been reflected in the creation of the Working Group in charge of promoting the participation of girls and women in sport and youth-oriented activities (GTCF-Groupe de travail chargé de la promotion de la participation des jeunes filles et des femmes aux activités de jeunesse et de sports) . The aim of the GTCF is to contribute to the commitment made by CONFÉJES for the equitable participation of women in its sports and youth-oriented activities. The Working Group's objectives include: building a Francophone network to enhance the development and promotion of girls and women; identifying the needs and concerns of member States and Governments; proceeding with the elaboration of specific projects within the CONFÉJES programs and activities; and establishing synergy among the CONFÉJES and other working groups and international committees dedicated to promote the advancement of women.

Athletes with disabilities and Sport

The integration of athletes with disabilities into CONFÉJES activities is also a priority for the Government of Canada.

Canada's encouragement and support in the CONFÉJES made it possible to convene, on two occasions, a group of experts specializing in sports for athletes with disabilities. This group has then been asked to take stock of the situation relating to athletes with disabilities in Francophone Africa and the Indian Ocean.

An action plan has been developed and implemented to ensure equitable participation for athletes with disabilities in sport activities. Canada is monitoring the completion and intend to contribute to its progress for the coming years of this plan.

Anti-doping

Canada is a renowned world leader in the fight to eliminate drugs in sport. The considerable efforts it has undertaken to establish relations and international anti-doping agreements, and the important role it played in establishing the permanent office of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) in Montreal, are illustrious examples of Canada's efforts in this field. This way, Canada is pursuing its efforts to ensure that anti-doping remains a priority for international organizations like the CONFÉJES.

CONFÉJES member States and Governments

• Benin
• Burkina Faso
• Burundi
• Cameroon
• Canada
• Canada-Quebec
• Canada-New Brunswick
• Cape Verde
• Central African Republic
• Chad
• Comoros
• Congo (Republic of the)
• Congo (Democratic Republic of the)
• Djibouti
• Egypt
• France
• French-speaking Community of Belgium
• Gabon
• Guinea
• Guinea-Bissau
• Haiti
• Ivory Coast
• Lebanon
• Luxembourg
• Madagascar
• Mali
• Mauritania
• Mauritius
• Morocco
• Niger
• Romania
• Rwanda
• Senegal
• Seychelles
• Switzerland
• Togo
• Tunisia
• Vietnam