PARIS (GNB) – Tourism, Heritage, and Culture Minister Robert Gauvin, who is also the minister responsible for La Francophonie, is in Paris and will meet tomorrow with Secretary General of the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie Louise Mushikiwabo to reaffirm the government’s commitment to and support for the international Francophonie.
During this first official meeting, Gauvin will discuss the province’s priorities in relation to the Francophonie, such as education, vocational and technical training, youth, and economic development.
“The New Brunswick government’s participation in this organization provides many opportunities for partnership and collaboration in various sectors,” said Gauvin. “Our government is committed to continuing its full participation in the organization’s many bodies. I am proud that New Brunswick currently chairs the Conférence des ministres de l’éducation des États et gouvernements de la Francophonie and the Institut de la Francophonie pour l’éducation et la formation.”
On Thursday, Feb. 14, Gauvin will take part in the meeting of the advisory board of the Comité international des Jeux de la Francophonie to formalize the province’s withdrawal from organizing the 2021 Games of La Francophonie and offer the government’s full co-operation during the coming transition period so another member state or government can hold the games.
During his Paris visit, Gauvin will meet with Canadian Ambassador to France Isabelle Hudon; the French Secretary of State to the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne; and Organisation internationale de la Francophonie administrator Adama Ouane. He will also participate in the conference marking 90 years of diplomatic relations between Canada and France at the Cercle France-Amériques.
In addition, he will promote New Brunswick, which tops the list of destinations not to be missed in 2019 according to the newspaper Le Monde, and the 2019 World Acadian Congress, being held in southeastern New Brunswick and on Prince Edward Island Aug. 10 to 24.
Since 1977, the provincial government has been a full member of the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie, which enables the province to promote New Brunswick’s technological, environmental, educational, university, college, cultural, sport, and economic potential on the international scene.
12-02-19