The Francophonie, a global organization of French-speaking countries, is set to hold two major summits in the next 24 months. The first summit will take place in Cambodia in November, followed by another in Canada in autumn 2028. As the world undergoes significant changes, the Francophonie is re-examining its priorities to effectively address the challenges it faces. With limited resources, the organization must focus on key areas to maximize its impact.
Jean-Louis Roy, a writer and diplomat who served as the Secretary General of the Agency of La Francophonie from 1989 to 1998, has proposed a new approach for the organization. He advocates for concentrating resources in four main areas: economy, education, culture, and governance. This strategic focus will enable the Francophonie to make a meaningful difference in the lives of its citizens. By streamlining its efforts, the organization can better respond to the needs of its member states.
The economy is a critical area where the Francophonie can make a significant impact. For two decades, the concept of a Francophone economy has been discussed, but a convincing structure has yet to be proposed. New groups, such as the Alliance of Francophone Employers and the Francophonie Business Meetings, have emerged to represent the interests of the private sector. However, a comprehensive economic policy requires the active engagement of Francophone governments.
To drive economic growth, Roy proposes the establishment of a Francophone Institute for Economic Development within the Organization Internationale de la Francophonie (OIF). This institute would bring together representatives from the public and private sectors, as well as civil society, to promote economic cooperation and development. Its tasks would include aggregating scattered activities, producing legal instruments to facilitate trade, and organizing a biennial conference of Francophone ministers of economy.
Education is another vital area where the Francophonie can play a crucial role. With 20 million births projected annually in Francophone Africa over the next quarter century, the organization must prioritize education to ensure that young people have access to quality learning opportunities. The Francophonie can support national education systems in Francophone countries, particularly in the South, by providing resources and expertise. A new foundation, with a broad-based board of directors, could be established to mobilize funding for this initiative.
The Francophonie's cultural and communication sectors are also essential to its mission. These areas are under threat from global changes, particularly the dominance of major tech companies such as GAFAM. To counter this trend, the Francophonie must develop a comprehensive strategy to promote its cultural industries and ensure that they remain accessible to a broad audience. This could involve creating a digital platform to showcase Francophone cultural productions and making them available to a global audience.
Finally, the Francophonie must prioritize good governance and the rule of law. The organization's values, as enshrined in the declarations of Bamako and Saint-Boniface, emphasize the importance of human security and the rule of law. To ensure that these values are upheld, Roy proposes revising these declarations and establishing a working group to prepare a conference of Francophone ministers of justice. This initiative would help to promote a culture of good governance and respect for human rights within the Francophonie.
Key points
- The Francophonie will hold two major summits in Cambodia and Canada over the next 24 months.
- The organization is prioritizing four key areas: economy, education, culture, and governance.
- A new Francophone Institute for Economic Development could be established to promote economic cooperation and development within the Francophonie.
