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The Citadelle, Sunday, October 19, 2008
I have just spoken with the Secretary General of La Francophonie, President Abdou Diouf, who is at this moment confined to bed, a result of the fatigue and stress of the past few days, he said. He had been looking forward to hearing and receiving in person the youth declaration and to presenting the awards for journalism. He has asked Mr. Duhaime, Administrator of the OIF, to deliver his message to you. We wish President Diouf a full recovery.
Let me begin by first telling you how delighted I am to welcome you here to the Citadelle, the official residence of the governor general in the City of Québec. It is a place steeped in history and memory, and this year, we are celebrating the 400th anniversary of its founding by Samuel de Champlain, an explorer who became the first person to hold the office of governor.
From here, high atop Cape Diamant, the view of the river and the Laurentian Mountains is like no other. And of course, it gives us a commanding view of Québec, which in the Indian language, in the language of the first peoples, the First Nations who are our deepest roots in this country, means “where the river narrows.”
The XIIe Sommet de la Francophonie has just come to a close. But La Francophonie is forging ahead, propelled first and foremost by the daily efforts of the citizens who make up this extended family. And especially the efforts of youth.
We know that in most of the member countries of La Francophonie, people under 30 make up a very important demographic, one that simply cannot be ignored.
It is important to me to support our youth, to support their dreams, their actions, and their initiatives. In fact, I have made youth one of the priorities of my mandate, something that goes to the very heart of my responsibilities.
You may recall, Mr. Duhaime, when the CIJEF—the Conseil international des organisations des jeunes de la Francophonie—held its annual general assembly in the City of Québec last June, I had the pleasure of welcoming to this very place young delegates from some forty countries and several youth associations from Quebec and elsewhere in Canada. They shared their points of view with me and began such an inspiring dialogue on the contribution of Francophone youth, on their desire to be present and taken into consideration around multilateral tables.
What concerned them most was promoting the French language not just as a medium for communication but also as a means of bringing people together to reflect and take collective action; of protecting the environment; of strengthening economic governance; and of raising awareness of the importance of civic involvement in democratic institutions.
We then made our way to the World Youth Congress, for which I was honorary patron, at the Université Laval in August, and this time, the discussions dealt largely with youth participation in the efforts to achieve the Millennium Development Goals.
What I saw, heard and understood, once again, is just how far removed our Francophone youth are from the narrow “fend for yourself” mentality that seems to have taken hold in the world, to the detriment of all.
I am thrilled by the innovative, daring actions that thousands of youth are taking to affirm their citizenship, help improve the lives of those around them and promote a more human view of the world.
I am on a mission: to meet with as many of these youth as I can on my travels across Canada and during my State and official visits abroad. Everywhere I go, I can see their determination; their actions and initiatives are bearing fruit.
But I also hear them speak of the obstacles in their path.
Obstacles that often diminish the scope of their commitment.
Obstacles to the positions they are defending in favour of a world that is more just, more fair, more friendly.
Young people desire more than anything to be heard. They want more than anything to be considered as part of the solutions.
We simply cannot do without their energy and vitality. We must listen to them and include them.
It is exhilarating to see the energy with which they refuse to give up, with which they are saying unequivocally and through their actions, “No” to apathy, “No” to pessimism, and “Yes,” we can dream and build a different, more human world.
How?
By working tirelessly to establish a network within La Francophonie, which they see as an opportunity to create a bond of fellowship between youth from the South and those from the North. And this bond is based on values that are dear to them: social peace, freedom, democracy and respect through diversity.
They reject quarrels that pit brother against brother, conflicts that arise when we withdraw into ourselves, when we close ourselves off to all but our own identity, conflicts born of fundamentalism and hate.
Youth are cultivating and craving the necessary dialogue of civilizations and cultures. The world needs to be inspired by their commitment.
Why?
Because the difficulties we are facing today—the global economic crisis is a major example—are forcing us to learn, to rethink how we do things.
To put the human factor back at the centre of our actions, like trade and international development.
To rediscover those inclusive values, that spirit of reciprocity, of compassion and of caring that give a human dimension to our relationships.
To recognize now more than ever that what unites us, what we have in common, is the urgent need to work together for the common good.
The youth of the CIJEF are firmly, boldly defending this imperative. And without you, La Francophonie, a place of hope, of aspiration, would not exist.
This is why I am so moved today to receive your declaration, the Francophonie Youth’s Call to Action.
This year, as we celebrate the 250th anniversary of the birth of parliamentary democracy in Canada, I see your declaration as a heartfelt cry urging us to reflect, to debate and, more importantly, to take action.
We must ensure that your ideas, concerns and recommendations form an integral part of the national and international decision-making process.
I would like to make special mention of New Brunswick Premier Shawn Graham, because it is through the efforts of his province that the OIF now places greater emphasis on youth.
And the CIJEF demonstrates that commitment.
I would also like to commend the Government of Quebec which, by establishing its Conseil permanent de la jeunesse, has given all of La Francophonie a model for involving youth.
Congratulations on your exemplary commitment.
Thank you.