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<p><font size="+1"></font><font size="+1"><strong>March 20, 2004 <em>(9:00 a.m. EST)</em>
No. 44</strong></font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font size="+1"><strong>CANADA MARKS THE JOURNÉE INTERNATIONALE<br>
DE LA FRANCOPHONIE</strong></font></p>
<p>Denis Coderre, President of the Queen's Privy Council of Canada and Minister
responsible for La Francophonie, and Aileen Carroll, Minister for International
Cooperation, today marked the Journée internationale de la Francophonie,
commemorating the 34th anniversary of the founding of La Francophonie.</p>
<p>"Faced with the challenges of globalization, La Francophonie has an increasingly
important role to play, both politically and economically," said Mr. Coderre. "It is also
vital that the broad range of cultures within this organization and the French language
they have in common help make La Francophonie a veritable showcase of cultural
diversity."</p>
<p>"On the eve of the next Francophonie Summit, which will take place in November in
Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, we must intensify our efforts to transform
La Francophonie into a community that supports sustainable development," said
Minister Carroll.</p>
<p>Canada also reiterated its desire to work closely with Abdou Diouf, Secretary-General
of the International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF), to promote good
governance, democracy and human rights throughout La Francophonie, particularly in
Haiti, given the current crisis.</p>
<p>As host country of the official celebrations for the 2004 Journée internationale de
la Francophonie, Canada invited the OIF Secretary-General to participate in the
festivities in Montreal. The events this year centred on the theme "Create, Think and
Inform: Networks and Exchanges within Francophone North America."</p>
<p>Canada is a founding member of La Francophonie, an organization established in
Niamey, Niger, in March 1970 that today boasts 56 member states and participating
governments from around the world.</p>
<p>For more information on La Francophonie, visit the Department of Foreign Affairs and
International Trade Web site at <a href="https://bac-lac.wayback.archive-it.org/web/20071123083932/http://www.canada-francophonie.gc.ca/">http://www.canada-francophonie.gc.ca</a> and the
Canadian International Development Agency Web site at <a href="https://bac-lac.wayback.archive-it.org/web/20071123083932/http://www.acdi-cida.gc.ca/francophonie">http://www.acdi-cida.gc.ca/francophonie</a>.</p>
<p align="CENTER">- 30 -</p>
<p>For further information, media representatives may contact:</p>
<p>Sarah Bain<br>
Office of the Minister responsible for La Francophonie<br>
(613) 943-1838</p>
<p>Media Relations Office<br>
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade<br>
(613) 995-1874<br>
<a href="https://bac-lac.wayback.archive-it.org/web/20071123083932/http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/">http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca</a></p>
<p>Andrew Graham<br>
Director of Communications<br>
Office of the Minister for International Cooperation<br>
(819) 953-3160</p>
<p>Media Relations Office<br>
Canadian International Development Agency<br>
(819) 953-6534<br>
<a href="https://bac-lac.wayback.archive-it.org/web/20071123083932/mailto:info@acdi-cida.gc.ca">info@acdi-cida.gc.ca</a></p>
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