Keywords International Organizations

In 1967, elected members of some 20 national parliaments met as delegates in Luxembourg to set up the Association internationale des parlementaires de langue française. Two years later, an international conference in Zaire brought together an equal number of ministers of education, this time officially representing their governments. However, a permanent body was not formed until 1970, when ministerial delegates from 21 countries met in Niamey, Niger, to found l'Agence de coopération culturelle et technique, an international organization devoted to multilateral governmental co-operation. ACCT brings together French-speaking states whose mutual goals include the development of culture, education, science and technology. The first full-fledged meeting of the ACCT was held in Paris 1986. In 1987 delegations from members and nonmembers that met at Québec City were Belgium, Benin, Burkina Faso [Upper Volta], Burundi, Canada, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Congo, Djibouti, Dominica, Egypt, France, Gabon, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Ivory Coast, Laos, Lebanon, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Monaco, Morocco, Niger, Rwanda, St Lucia, Senegal, Seychelles, Switzerland, Togo, Tunisia, Vietnam and Zaire. Two Canadian provinces, Québec and New Brunswick, have the status of participating governments. At this summit, Canada announced a contribution of $17 million to assist new and existing projects in French-speaking Africa and debt forgiveness of $325 million in loans, affecting African nations. The next summit is to be held in Senegal in 1989.

The comparison is often drawn between Francophonie and the COMMONWEALTH. The similarities are evident: each includes developing and developed countries; each consists largely of former colonies, most of which achieved independence after WWII; finally, each has the same general objectives of mutual assistance, co-operation and development in all fields. But Commonwealth structures are very different from those adopted by Francophonie. Despite much discussion of the idea, for example, there is no equivalent in Francophonie of the biannual summit meetings held by the heads of state of Commonwealth countries. Canada has been active in international Francophonie since its beginnings, in both public and private sectors.

Author GÉRARD PELLETIER

Links to Other Sites
Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec
An extensive online collection of documents, portraits, maps, audio clips, and other archival material relating to the history of Québec.

In the Countries of the Francophonie
Tour museum exhibitions that celebrate the varied heritage of Fracophonie communities around the world at this Virtual Museum website.

Staying in Tune: Traditions and Musical Instruments of the Francophonie
Experience world music and culture as you listen to the distinctive sounds of traditional musical instruments, such as the African balafon, in this multimedia Virtual Museum website.

Institut franco-ontarien
This Laurentian University institute investigates issues of concern to the Franco-Ontarian community.

The Rendez-vous de la Francophonie
The annual Canada-wide celebration of French language and culture is part of the International Day of La Francophonie. Many links to francophone organizations and events across the country.

The French Language in Québec: 400 Years of History and Life
A chronology of major milestones in the establishment and growth of the French Language in Québec. From the Government of Québec website.

Conseil culturel fransaskois
The Conseil culturel fransaskois (CCF) is the spokesperson of the cultural and artistic sector of the Fransaskois community. It helps create in Saskatchewan a vibrant cultural and artistic Fransaskois community and favorable circumstances for Francophone artists.

Alberta's Francophone Heritage
Biograhies of some notable personalities in the development of Franco-Albertan heritage and culture. From Alberta's Heritage Community Foundation.