Today’s round table in Montreal is the fourth in a series hosted by Minister Paradis as part of Canada’s preparations for the 15th Summit of La Francophonie, which will take place in Dakar, Senegal, on November 29 and 30, 2014.
At the Dakar Summit member countries, including Canada, will work toward the adoption of the Economic Strategy for La Francophonie. Canada’s efforts have focused on a strengthened role for the private sector in stimulating sustainable economic growth, transparent governance, education, food security, and child protection, including the fight against child, early and forced marriage. Canada has also emphasized the priority of maternal, newborn and child health.
In addition to today’s event in Montréal, Minister Paradis hosted round tables on the margins of the High-Level Meeting of the Partnership for Effective Development Cooperation in Mexico City (April 15 and 16, 2014); on the margins of the World Economic Forum for Africa in Abuja, Nigeria (May 7 to 9, 2014); and with representatives of the Federation of Francophone and Acadian Communities in Ottawa (May 26, 2014).
Canada and La Francophonie
La Francophonie is a network of member states and governments that share French as a common language. The network includes several independently established institutions dating back to the 1960s.
Led by heads of member states and governments, La Francophonie currently includes 57 member states and governments, as well as 20 observers. Fifty of these members are DFATD developing-country partners eligible for official development assistance from Canada and 24 are least-developed countries.
The mandate of La Francophonie is both political and developmental and sets out to:
- promote the French language and cultural and linguistic diversity
- promote peace, democracy, and human rights
- support education, training, higher education, and research
- strengthen cooperation for sustainable development and economic growth
The Organisation internationale de la Francophonie (OIF), is the central operating agency mainly responsible for carrying out La Francophonie's dual mandate.
Canada was one of the first countries to promote La Francophonie by helping to establish and develop its institutions. Membership in La Francophonie is an important part of Canada's foreign policy, offering a multilateral forum where Canada can promote its values and priorities in areas such as language, culture, politics, economics, new technologies, and international cooperation. At home, participation in La Francophonie highlights Canada's linguistic duality and provides an opportunity to discuss affirmation and growth of the French culture.
Canada is the second-largest contributor to La Francophonie. The provinces of Quebec and New Brunswick are also members of La Francophonie and are important contributors.