Posted at 6:00 p.m.
Prime Minister of Canada, next November 19 and 20 is to be held on the XVIIIe Francophonie Summit in Djerba, Tunisia. The Summit of the International Organization of La Francophonie will focus on the integration of digital issues on the theme “Connectivity in diversity: Digital technology, vector of development and solidarity in the French-speaking world”. This is a particularly important meeting for young people in this space of shared French in the world.
We hereby wish to support the holding of this Summit despite your hesitations.
Indeed, as the International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF) points out, the added value of the organization lies in the sharing of experiences, good practices and lessons learned, but also inclusive collaboration with the various stakeholders, existing professional networks and civil society (non-profit organizations). In this regard, Tunisia, one of the founding States of La Francophonie, adheres to these fundamental values.
Already postponed twice in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it would be inappropriate to postpone it again, this time because of the delicate political situation in Tunisia. The current global context is pushing inflation to record levels in Tunisia, which is currently undergoing an economic crisis due to the horrors of the COVID-19 pandemic, to which is added a crisis in the supply of essential foodstuffs due to the war in Ukraine.
It is therefore undeniable that the outfit of the XVIIIe Francophonie Summit still has its relevance, as planned since before 2020, in a pledge of solidarity with the Tunisian people in the face of their new challenges. Situation which, in our opinion, does not in any way endanger the participants who are invited or the objectives of the meeting.
Since 2011, the Revolution of Dignity in Transition has won the Nobel Peace Prize for four Tunisian civil society organizations in 2015 who visited the Canadian parliament and the Quebec National Assembly, at the invitation of civil society organizations Canadian calendar in 2016. Remember that Quebec supports the holding of the event according to this new schedule.
Tunisia is still in democratic transition. This is a dynamic process that must be supported and strengthened, as was the case during the holding of other major events in Tunisia, including two World Social Forums (WSF) in 2013 and 2015.
Despite the risks, the organizations insisted on maintaining the event. This context has made it possible to face the challenges around the strengthening of civil societies and the convergence of global social struggles.
With all these economic, ecological and digital challenges today, these alliances have taken on a new dimension for the future of young people, as shown by the second D-CLIC Forum which mobilized young people on July 19 and 20, during a meeting organized by the OIF at the Tunis International Center for the Digital Cultural Economy (TIC DCE).
It is therefore fitting that the XVIIIe Francophonie Summit to be held in Djerba, Tunisia next November to move forward. Especially since with the holding of the Summit, the civil societies of the member countries meet at the same time to discuss the political, economic, technological and social contributions which would make it possible to improve the situation of young people, the majority in the space. French-speaking.
Thus, the presence of the member countries of La Francophonie at the Summit in Djerba would be an undeniable asset for the dialogue with the host government and its civil society on the challenges of governance and the good practices of a society of rights. These discussions aim to strengthen the Member States: their political system, their democratic institutions and their civil society. Canada, like Tunisia and all the member countries of La Francophonie, can only emerge stronger!
Mr. Trudeau, we are confident of the added value that your participation would bring to the XVIIIe Summit of La Francophonie as a vector of development and solidarity in the international Francophone space where Canada and Quebec hold an important place.
We count on your support.