News Release

FREDERICTON (CNB) – New Brunswick will take advantage of its participation in the XIIIth Summit of la Francophonie in Montreux, Switzerland, from Oct. 22 to 24, to promote its expertise in information technology at the Village de la Francophonie.

"New Brunswick is recognized within la Francophonie for its advances in information technology and communications for learning," said Premier David Alward. "The summit will help us promote the use of technology as a learning tool and emphasize the importance of concerted action among member states and governments of la Francophonie for youth development."

Alward and Paul Robichaud, deputy premier and economic development minister, who is also the minister responsible for la Francophonie, will be joined by representatives of the community and from the cultural, education, tourism and post-education sectors.

An international digital classroom project will be on display at the New Brunswick pavilion.  Students and teachers will participate in a demonstration of a digital classroom linked to an information network, enabling participants to communicate and learn through technology.

Performing at the Village of la Francophonie will be New Brunswick artists La Virée; singers Monique Poirier, Nathalie Renault and Isabelle Pelletier; videographer Patrick Lacelle; filmmaker and comedian Monique LeBlanc; Les Échassiers, a troupe of comedic acrobats; and historian Maurice Basque. The concept of a village de la Francophonie was a New Brunswick innovation used for the first time in Moncton in 1999, and it has been adopted at all subsequent summits.

New Brunswick has been actively involved in la Francophonie institutions for more than 30 years, and it has championed the promotion of youth development.

"Since the Moncton summit, New Brunswick has been proud to see issues related to youth gaining prominence in the deliberations of la Francophonie," said Alward. “We hope that New Brunswick’s efforts have contributed to achieving this.”

La Francophonie has 70 member states and governments that share the French language. This is the only international institution to which New Brunswick is entitled to a serve as a member.