The Citadelle, Sunday, October 19, 2008

It give me great pleasure to welcome you here, at the Citadelle of Québec, during this festive, memorable year in which the city is celebrating its 400^th anniversary and where we are proud to host the members of the large Francophonie family.

My first State visits as governor general of Canada were in Africa, a continent whose history is tied to my own and is embedded in my deepest memories.

As a Black woman, that trip across Africa was a very emotional one.

My ancestors were torn from their lives, stripped of themselves, of their language, their name, their history, of their basic dignity as women and men, and were reduced to slavery and deported to the Americas.

I was born in Haiti, where, after enduring three centuries of dehumanizing trade, the slaves were the first to break their chains.

Throughout my journey in Africa, I followed the paths of hope. Everywhere I went, I saw people’s determination to focus on the forces of life.

I saw that all of Africa’s hidden promises—and there are a great many—are embodied in the actions of the courageous and determined women and men whom I met.

Women and men from all walks of life, civilians and elected officials, young and young-at-heart, responsible citizens who are resolutely responding with courage, conviction and dignity to the challenges their societies and communities are facing.

Every face, every look, every smile is forever imprinted on my memory.

Since then, whenever and wherever possible, I have talked about these actions, these projects, and this fraternity―all signs of hope, of the future, of justice and of freedom.

Both filled with ancient wisdom and rich in eager youth, Africa is working hard.

Working hard on creating good governance, on fighting hunger and disease, on providing education to its daughters and sons, on finally putting an end to the misery that continually afflicts it.

Even though it has born and still bears the scars of history, today, Africa is constantly reinventing itself and making a unique contribution to the wealth and well-being of humanity.

It was one of Africa’s sons, Léopold Sédar Senghor, who was the father of La Francophonie. And it is one of Africa’s sons, Abdou Diouf, who is today responsible for its future.

Senghor hoped La Francophonie would be a fraternity based on mutual respect and dialogue between cultures.

And, as Abdou Diouf recently said, La Francophonie has developed, and been strengthened, renovated and reorganized lately in order to meet our pressing need for peace, equality and freedom. 

These are two visions of the world that echo over time.

Two visions that speak to the universal character of our human condition.

Two visions that reflect our responsibility toward and our commitment to the international Francophonie.

I am pleased to hear that the upcoming Sommets de la Francophonie will be held in Madagascar in 2010 and in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 2012—on the continent that has given us two Francophonie icons and two of the greatest humanists of our time.

It is my dearest wish to return to the continent of my origins to once again witness its wealth, its accomplishments, its dreams and its hopes.

I hope that you enjoyed your visit here and that it was productive.

Thank you very much for being here.