OTTAWA, Canada, November 7, 2013 –During his visit to France and to Senegal on November 7–12, 2013, Christian Paradis, Minister of International Development and Minister for La Francophonie, will use Canada’s leadership role in La Francophonie to promote sustainable economic growth and poverty reduction.
Canada’s Minister of International Development and Minister for La Francophonie Christian Paradis
In Paris on November 7–9, Minister Paradis will take part in the 29th session of the Ministerial Conference of La Francophonie. He will promote an economic initiative within the organization, and will also hold a series of bilateral meetings with his counterparts from member countries of La Francophonie. The Minister will also deliver a statement from the Government of Canada at the General Conference of UNESCO, a body of which Canada remains an active and engaged member.
“Canada plays a leading role in La Francophonie, an organization that is essential for promoting our Francophone culture and heritage,” said Minister Paradis. “Our government will continue to promote sustainable economic growth as the best tool for reducing poverty, improving equality between women and men, and creating prosperity.”
The Minister will then visit Senegal on November 10–12, where he will meet with representatives of the Government of Senegal, Canadian and international partners, and local organizations to talk about Canada’s development program. The Minister will also pay a visit to development project sites funded by Canada to see the results. During his visit, the Minister will focus on food security, the role of the private sector in agricultural development, and the mutual reinforcement of the prosperity agenda of both countries.
This trip will enable Minister Paradis to make the most of important forums for member countries of La Francophonie. It will allow him to highlight Canada’s contribution to improving the lives of French-speaking populations around the world, particularly Canada’s ongoing commitment to supporting Senegal in its sustainable development efforts in order to improve the quality of life of all Senegalese.
