#36th Ministerial Conference of the Francophonie

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Unifying value of French language spoken by over 300 million 

The two-day 36th Ministerial Conference of the Francophonie (CMF) opened on Wednesday, October 30, 2019, at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco under the theme Reconciling Humanity with the Planet, bringing together the representatives from 88 Member States and Governments, members of the International Francophone Organization (OIF). All united under a common language, French, spoken by over 300 million people in five continents. This is the first time the Principality welcomes such an important event, in spite of being a founding member of OIF since its creation on March 20, 1970, and 2020 will mark its 50th anniversary in Tunisia.

(Photo: Participants in the 36th Conférence Ministérielle Francophonie – Direction de la Communication © Michael Alesi)

Well-known French-Swiss TV personality and producer Maïtena Biraben was the host of the opening ceremony. (Photo insert Maitena Biraben with journalist Celina Lafuente de Lavotha.)

Minister of State Serge Telle inaugurated this high-level conference alongside Louise Mushikiwabo, General Secretary of La Francophonie (former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Rwanda), and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia, Zohrab Mnatsakanyan, President of the 36th CMF.

Serge Telle started his presentation by saying: “This meeting in Monaco represents a moment of joy for us, due to the importance of the International Organization of the Francophonie, having the Principality of Monaco as one of its founders, remaining active members, and faithful supporters.”

He emphasized the theme of this year’s conference by affirming: “To save our planet we must combine all the energies, all the wills. Those of the states and governments we represent here, of course, but also the civil societies and their youth, in particular, companies, NGOs, the intellectuals, the artists, the scientists – in fact, each one of us. If we want to act effectively at the service of our planet, we must act together. This is the meaning of the event we are organizing parallel to this conference, on sustainable tourism”.

(Photo: Presentation by Serge Telle, Monaco State Minister © Michael Alesi)

His speech was, in turn, echoed by Zohrab Mnatsakanyan and Louise Mushikiwabo (seen in the photo below by Celina Lafuente de Lavotha), elected since last year at the head of the Francophone Organization. She warmly thanked the Principality for its involvement and organization and highlighted the values ​​of this Francophone’s multiculturalism, now at a crossroads, and requiring to assert its unifying strength.

These expressions of sturdiness and symbiosis united by the same language emerged from the video message of Prince Albert II, projected to the assembly, in which he reiterated, to the Secretary-General, his full support for the reforms undertaken and confirmed the support for Louise Mushikiwabo’s vision.

The ceremony,  placed under the sign of youth one of Francophone unifying pillars, included artistic interludes by Les Petites Chanteurs de Monaco, and dancers of the Princess Grace Academy, plus an emotionally charged message of wisdom, hope, and respect delivered by the students of Sciences-Po Menton campus.

Presentation by students of Sciences-Po Menton campus @CelinaLafuentedeLavotha

Les Petites Chanteurs de Monaco performing at operning of 36th Conference Ministerielle de la Francophonie, Monaco, October 30, 2019 @CelinaLafuentedeLavotha

Performance by Students from the Princess Grace Academy @CelinaLafuentedeLavotha

Aux Coeurs des mots – Changing attitudes through education

The Monegasque Association Aux Cœurs Des Mots (ACDM), founded and presided by Hilde Heye, received a special invitation by the Government of Monaco and the International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF) to present its flagship action: the digital francophone writing contest under the theme of equal rights between girls and boys. The ACDM Honorary President is Prince Albert II of Monaco, who has been supporting this initiative since its inception.

ACDM is under the High Patronage of Madame Louise Mushikiwabo, the new Secretary-General of La Francophonie, was created by active women, entrepreneurs, teachers, lawyers, and executives of different countries and cultures. Convinced that increased youth participation is crucial in discussing equal rights for girls and boys, ADM decided to give them a voice through the organization of a writing competition.

(Photo: Hilde Heye, President Founder Aux Coeur des Mots and some of the founding members of her team at the 36th Conference Ministerielle de la Francophonie, Monaco 2019)

Hilde Heye said: “Schools are the most relevant agora to conduct these exchanges,  a neutral place where education is omnipresent and can undoubtedly help change mentalities, regardless of student’s origin, gender or beliefs. It was important for us to connect these schools so that the project had an intercultural dimension, something possible thanks to sharing the same language”. Schools, jury members, members of the association, but also international correspondents who are local relays, all have access to this database.

“It is an area without borders, a place of peace, and tolerance in which they publish photos, films, information about their environment. With 52 countries participating in the contest, it has become a worldwide success. The theme and age changes with each new version of the contest, the ACDM community of girls and boys keep increasing in successive competitions.

Equal Rights for Girls and Boys, for a Better and Just World

For the third edition the theme selected is: “Equal Rights for Girls and Boys, for a Better and Just World,” and classes will have to write a poem to clearly express their thoughts, working on the sounds, rhythm, and musicality. This composition, based on the need for equal rights for girls and boys,  and the importance of respecting those rights to contribute to a more compassionate and juster world. The contest was launched in September 2019 and will end on April 30, 2020, at midnight, with the award ceremony planned for March 2021in the Principality.

The list of participating countries up to this date are: Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Germany, Armenia, Australia, Belgium, Benin, Bulgaria, Burkina Fasso, Burundi, Cameroon, Canada, Central African Republic, Comoros, South Korea, Ivory Coast, Egypt, France, Gambia , Georgia, Guinea Bissau, Guinea Conakry, Haiti, Israel, Italy, Lebanon, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Mali, Morocco, Mauritius, Mexico, Moldova, Monaco, Niger, Netherlands, Palestine, Portugal, Democratic Republic of Congo, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, San Marino, Senegal, Slovenia, Syria, Chad, Togo, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine

A prestigious international jury composed of personalities from different horizons (literature, cinema, music, art, show, etc.), will evaluate the work and select the winning entries. A collection gathering all the works will be published and offered to all participants to enhance their work and allow them to remember these moments of exchange and enriching debates. It will stimulate the desire for reading and writing. These collections will be made available to decision-makers and all relevant actors at the international level as a tool for reflection.

The list Jury members, presided by Leila HATAMI, are: Atiq RAHIMI, Nick DANZIGER, Koen DE BOUW, Fausto POCAR, Antoine DE MAXIMY, Sarah BRIAND, Camille DE PERETTI DE ROCCA, Denise FABRE, Nedim GÜRSEL, Didier KASSAÏ, Jean PORTANT, Akli TADJER, Beata UMUBYEYI MAIRESSE, Yasmina TAYA, Georges VIGARELLO, and the Jury President of the previous contest Faouzia ZOUARI.

Today’s Quote

“La connaissance des langues est la porte de la sagesse.” – “Knowledge of languages is the doorway to wisdom.” 

Reconciling humanity with the planet, theme of Francophone conference in Monaco Unifying value of French language spoken by over 300 million  The two-day 36th Ministerial Conference of the Francophonie (CMF) opened on Wednesday, October 30, 2019, at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco under the theme Reconciling Humanity with the Planet, bringing together the representatives from 88 Member States and Governments, members of the International Francophone Organization (OIF).

[swissforextrading]

Switzerland commits to the French language as a diplomatic instrument and supports reforms by the new Secretary General of La Francophonie

FDFA Head Ignazio Cassis attended the 36th Francophonie Ministerial Conference in Monaco on 30 and 31 October. As the International Organisation of La Francophonie (IOF) prepares to celebrate its 50th anniversary next year in Tunis, the foreign ministers of its member states and governments have decided to refocus the organisation on its main missions, in particular its values (peace, the rule of law and democracy) and the promotion and defence of the French language. https://www.admin.ch/gov/en/start/documentation/media-releases.msg-id-76886.html (Source of the original content)