News Release

FREDERICTON (CNB) - New Brunswick will be hosting the sixth Conference of Francophone International Non-Governmental Organizations and Civil Society Organizations from May 15-17, in Caraquet.

Non-governmental organizations accredited with the authorities of the Francophonie; experts and academics from throughout the Francophonie; and officials from the International Organization of the Francophonie will participate in the conference.

"It is a great honour for the province to host our friends from the international Francophonie, especially Mr. Abdou Diouf, secretary general of the Francophonie, who will take part in the opening ceremony," said Minister responsible for the Francophonie Hédard Albert. "Caraquet, a 2009 cultural capital of Canada, is well known for its warm and gracious hospitality, and our visitors will discover the vitality of the people of the Acadian Peninsula."

Over 90 delegates representing 63 francophone non-governmental organizations will take part in the conference, which will be held at the New Brunswick School of Fisheries. Seven Canadian organizations will be involved, including the Société Nationale de l'Acadie and the Fédération des communautés francophones et acadienne du Canada.

The conference will allow the groups to pool their ideas with a view to developing recommendations to be presented to heads of state and government at the 12th Francophonie Summit, scheduled for Quebec City, Que., from Oct. 17-19. The work will be structured around three main issues: governance and democracy, the environment, and the French language.

The International Organization of the Francophonie has put co-operative structures in place with the non-governmental organizations in an effort to address their concerns and challenges, as well as to use their experience and expertise in representing civil society in developing the organization's main directions.

"Like the International Organization of the Francophonie, the Government of New Brunswick recognizes the important role non-governmental organizations play in the development of our society at the cultural, social and economic levels," Albert said. "They are essential partners in achieving self-sufficiency for New Brunswick."

The Conference of Francophone International Non-Governmental Organizations meets every two years. The fifth Conference of Francophone International Non-governmental organizations and civil society organizations last took place in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.

New Brunswick has been a member of the International Organization of the Francophonie since 1977. The province's bilateral and multilateral relations with the members of the Francophonie provide it with opportunities to forge economic and cultural ties with countries on all five continents.