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<title>CANADA TO CELEBRATE INTERNATIONAL DAYOF LA FRANCOPHONIE</title>
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<p><font face="Univers" size="-2"></font><font face="Univers" size="+2"></font><font face="Univers" size="+2"></font><font face="Univers" size="+2">March 19, 1998 No. 60</font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Univers" size="+2"><strike></strike></font><font face="Univers" size="+2">CANADA TO CELEBRATE INTERNATIONAL DAY</font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Univers" size="+2">OF LA FRANCOPHONIE</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Minister for International Co-operation and Minister responsible for la
Francophonie Diane Marleau is pleased to announce that Canada will celebrate the
International Day of la Francophonie on March 20. This day will provide Canadians
and Francophones all over the world with an opportunity to celebrate la
Francophonie, an international association of 52 countries and governments
representing over 250 million people.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">March 20 commemorates the creation of the Agency for Cultural and Technical Co-operation (ACCT) in Niamey, Niger in 1970. Since the 1995 Summit in Cotonou,
Benin, the ACCT has officially been known as L'Agence de la Francophonie.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">"La Francophonie is a community of peoples involved in a dialogue of co-operation," said Minister Marleau. "As more than 8.5 million Canadians speak
French, Canada's membership is an important international projection of its
national personality and a means to promote Canada's French language and culture
at an international level."</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Madame Marleau added that Canada's presence also promotes justice, democracy,
peace and understanding. In 1997, Canada participated in the Francophonie Games
in Madagascar and the Hanoi Summit.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">"Canada is an active and enthusiastic member of la Francophonie and is proud to
have been selected as host of both the 1999 Summit, in Moncton, New Brunswick and
the 2001 Francophonie Games in Ottawa-Hull," said Madame Marleau.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">As part of the festivities for the International Day of la Francophonie, Minister
Marleau invited representatives of member countries to a ceremony at Parliament
Hill on March 20, during which the Prix de la Francophonie internationale, the
Prix de la Francophonie nationale, and the Ordre de la Pléiade de l'Assemblée
internationale des parlementaires de langue française (International Assembly of
French-Speaking Parliamentarians) will be awarded.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">In addition to these ceremonies, Canadian missions abroad will take part in a
number of activities ranging from film festivals to book donations, and organize
contests and exhibitions celebrating the International Day of la Francophonie.</font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Courier">- 30 -</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">For further information, media representatives may contact:</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">André Doren</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Office of the Minister for International Cooperation and </font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Minister responsible for La Francophonie</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">(819) 997-6919</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Media Relations Office</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Department of Foreign Affairs </font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">and International Trade</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">(613) 995-1874</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">This document is also available on the Department's Internet site:
http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca</font></p>
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