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<title>SECRETARY OF STATE PARADIS ANNOUNCESJOURNÉE INTERNATIONALE DE LA FRANCOPHONIE CONTEST</title>
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<p><font size="+1"></font><font size="+1"><strong>December 1, 2003 <em>(1:55 p.m. EST)</em> No. 184</strong></font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font size="+1"><strong>SECRETARY OF STATE PARADIS ANNOUNCES</strong></font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font size="+1"><strong>JOURNÉE INTERNATIONALE DE LA FRANCOPHONIE CONTEST</strong></font></p>
<p>Denis Paradis, Secretary of State for Latin America, Africa and La Francophonie, today launched a contest, in cooperation
with Éducation internationale, to promote French among Canadian high school students, in celebration of the 2004 Journée
internationale de la Francophonie.</p>
<p>"March 20 is an opportunity for Francophones in Canada and around the world to celebrate the richness of our common
language. This initiative enables Canadian high school students to mark this day through writing that expresses the beauty
and richness of the French language," said Mr. Paradis.</p>
<p>The writing contest, entitled "Le français, un passeport international," will raise students' awareness of the priorities of the
international Francophonie, which are to promote the French language, affirm cultural diversity, encourage a dialogue of
cultures and support the values of democracy and respect for human rights.</p>
<p>For further details concerning the contest, visit <a href="https://bac-lac.wayback.archive-it.org/web/20070221095906/http://www.canada-francophonie.gc.ca/">http://www.canada-francophonie.gc.ca</a></p>
<p>Funding for this initiative was provided for in the February 2003 federal budget and is therefore built into the existing fiscal
framework.</p>
<p>- 30 -</p>
<p>For further information, media representatives may contact:</p>
<p>Jean-François Del Torchio</p>
<p>Office of the Secretary of State (Latin America and Africa) (Francophonie)</p>
<p>(613) 947-8187</p>
<p>Media Relations Division</p>
<p>Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade</p>
<p>(613) 995-1874</p>
<p><a href="https://bac-lac.wayback.archive-it.org/web/20070221095906/http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/">http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca</a></p>
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