Today's Date:

The annual celebration of the Journée Internationale de la Francophonie, this year on March 20, provides an opportunity for the 170 million French-speakers around the world to celebrate their common language. It is also a special time to re-affirm the commitment of international Francophony to democracy and cultural and linguistic diversity.

This celebration commemorates the foundation of Francophony on an institutional level on March 20, 1970. It is observed in more than 100 countries on five continents—first and foremost in the 56 states and governments that belong to the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie (OIF), but beyond that, by all those who want to show their attachment to our language and the values it conveys. For all those who take part—governments, communities, associations, businesses, individuals—it is an opportunity to demonstrate, in a fun and convivial way, their devotion to the language that brings them together.

In France, of course, and throughout the world—thanks to the participation of the 150 French diplomatic and consular posts that rally to the occasion—the days between March 17 and 23 will be marked by literary competitions, concerts, exhibits, performances, parties, debates, colloquia, screenings, sporting events and gourmet gatherings.

Mr. Abdou Diouf will be in Libreville, Gabon, from March 17 to 20 to take part in the first Convention on the Teaching of French in Sub-Saharan Africa, where more than 600 participants and 16 government ministers are expected. He decided to attend this particular event to mark his commitment to promoting the essential role of education in the development of third-world countries.

Deputy Cooperation and Francophony Minister Pierre-André Wiltzer will inaugurate the celebrations in Kyoto on March 1, where he will take part in the World Water Forum. On March 20, he will attend, among other things, a major francophone concert in Paris organized by Radio France with the assistance of the Community of French-Language Public Radio Networks.

The Foreign Ministry also financed an advertising campaign organized by the Mondial de la Publicité Francophone association, to be aired on French TV networks during the week.