Francophonie Summit

The International Organisation of La Francophonie (IOF) is an institution founded on the sharing of a language, French, and common values. It includes 56 Member States, including Switzerland, and 14 observers, representing a population of 870 million people.

The Summit, which takes place every two years, is the supreme authority of La Francophonie. It defines its orientations in order to ensure its radiation throughout the world. The summit brings together the Heads of State and government of the member countries and the observer countries as well as numerous representatives of partner organisations and the media. Thus, more than 3000 people are expected on 23rd and 24th October 2010 in Montreux.

This summit represents a wonderful opportunity for the Swiss public to increase their awareness of La Francophonie and its objectives, and offers Switzerland, Romandy and Montreux the opportunity to reassert their commitment to the values of the IOF and to become better known in the vast French-speaking area.

The International Organisation of La Francophonie was founded in 1970. It carries out political actions and actions of multilateral cooperation for the benefit of the populations if its Member States.
In 2004, the Summit of the Heads of State and government fixed the main missions of La Francophonie for the decade in progress :
Promote the French language and cultural diversity
Promote peace, democracy and Human Rights
Support education, training, teaching and research
Develop cooperation with respect to sustainable development
Grant particular attention to young people, women as well as to the access to information and communication technologies.
On its own level, ESL has the same objectives and shares the same values, from where our interest and our wish to get involved come.

The 13th Francophonie Summit, taking place on 23rd and 24th October, will be preceded by the 26th session of the Ministerial Conference of La Francophonie, taking place on 20th and 21st October.

The programme of the Summit and of the Ministerial Conference will be fixed in July 2010 on the occasion of a Permanent Council of La Francophonie meeting. All of the information will be available on the official website:
www.francophoniemontreux2010.ch/front/home

In mid-October, Montreux will open the « Village de la Francophonie » with stands of the member and observer countries and those of numerous associations and organisations close to La Francophonie. Visits rich in discovery are in view for students who will take courses at ESL Montreux during that period. A special programme combining linguistic activities, awareness of the French-speaking world, films and diverse activities on the topic of La Francophonie and cultural diversity will be proposed to them in our school throughout the duration of the Summit.

Take advantage of this opportunity !