On September 26, French President Emmanuel Macron will travel to Quebec, a visit that takes place in a context where ties between France and French-speaking countries are more important than ever. In this period of economic and social crisis, the opportunity to reaffirm the importance of the Francophonie is crucial. However, the topics that Mr. Macron will address, such as favoring forms of private financing, raise essential questions about the true nature of this French-speaking fraternity.
The statesman’s visit to Quebec is being billed as a celebration of the Francophonie, but the question is: what vision of the Francophonie is he promoting? In his speech, President Macron often emphasizes entrepreneurship, investment and economic growth. While these elements are undeniably important, they should not be the only cornerstone of cooperation between French-speaking nations.
The Francophonie should first and foremost be a platform to promote culture, history and international mutual aid. For example, facilitating student exchanges and immigration between French-speaking countries and organizing events to promote local cultures should be priorities. Instead, the economic model proposed by Emmanuel Macron seems to ignore these essential dimensions, reducing Francophone relations to simple economic transactions.
A legacy to be redefined
To understand the current issues, it is relevant to look to history. Charles de Gaulle’s visit to Quebec in 1967, during which he delivered his famous speech “Vive le Québec libre!”, symbolized a desire to affirm Francophone identity in the face of Anglo-Saxon cultural imperialism. De Gaulle firmly believed in the need for such solidarity, an imperative that went beyond economic interests. He was a fervent defender of a Quebec-France bond that, while recognizing the differences between the two nations, united around common values, including freedom and culture.
In contrast to this vision, Macron’s liberal logic seems to be based on a utilitarian conception of the Francophonie. The head of state favors economic exchanges, often to the detriment of cultural solidarity and mutual aid. In an increasingly globalized world, where social and environmental issues are taking on an unprecedented scale, such a vision can appear not only reductive, but also dangerous.
The Francophonie must be reinvented to meet the challenges of the 21st century.e century. Instead of promoting a vision where the economy takes precedence, it is essential to develop an approach that values cultural and educational exchanges. Initiatives such as scholarships for French-speaking students, scientific cooperation projects or artistic events should become priorities. The creation of a solid network of French-speaking universities, allowing for the sharing of knowledge and skills, could also be a major asset. The promotion of French-speaking languages and cultures cannot be done without a real desire for sharing and solidarity. In this sense, the idea of building a Francophonie on fragile economic foundations seems illusory.
For a Francophonie close to Africa
Macron’s visit to Quebec should not be seen solely as a diplomatic event, but as an indicative moment to redefine our approach to the Francophonie. Promoting economic liberalism to the detriment of cultural and social values weakens the Francophone project. The Francophonie deserves better than a utilitarian partnership; it requires a vision that combines culture, history and solidarity.
Ultimately, it is imperative that Francophone leaders, including Macron, reassess their priorities and commit to building a community that is not limited to economic exchanges. Our goal: a true strength of the Francophonie that lies in its ability to unite people around common values.
It is also crucial to include Francophone Africa in this reflection. The countries of this region, often considered peripheries in the global economic discourse, have a cultural and historical richness that cannot be ignored. By adopting a decolonial angle, we must recognize the historical injustices and the harmful consequences of colonialism that continue to affect these nations. La Francophonie cannot be truly effective without seriously taking into account African voices, which must occupy a central place in the debates on the culture and development of our common language.