It is with great pleasure that I am here today, on the last day of the term of office of this Government, to declare the start of the celebrations of Francophonie 2023, the celebration of French language and culture. We are celebrating a language of international importance, in the context of promoting multilingualism. At the same time, we celebrate a tradition of values such as those of equality, complementarity and solidarity, as well as the universal principles of democracy and human rights.
The Ministry of Education, Sports and Youth, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the State Ministry of Culture, the Embassies and Consulates of member states of the International Organisation of Francophonie based in Cyprus, celebrate this year the 53rd anniversary of the establishment of the International Organisation of Francophonie.
Since the establishment of the International Organisation of Francophonie on 20 March 1970, the borders of the French-speaking world have expanded to include peoples and nations from all over the world. Bringing together today 88 States and Governments and representing a population of 321 million French speakers on five continents, French is now a community beyond a common language. It is a community of solidarity based on the universal principles of humanism, democracy and freedom. A community that seeks to promote the French language and cultural and linguistic diversity. A community that supports peace, democracy and human rights. Its aim is to strengthen by all means education and training, scientific research and economic cooperation in the service of sustainability.
An associate member of the International Organisation of Francophonie since 2006, Cyprus expresses in every way its interest in the French language and culture. The love for French, a language intertwined with the cradle of most of the world's artistic and ideological currents, is also expressed through the educational policies of recent years, with the extension of the teaching of French throughout secondary education and the implementation of its certification in public schools from the school year 2022-2023. Our priority is to offer young people in Cyprus new opportunities and open up pathways to the academic and professional world.
In this fertile environment, we are actively participating again this year in the celebrations of the Month of Francophonie, through various activities in all the cities of Cyprus and abroad, through our diplomatic missions, supporting education, culture, youth and sustainable development.
In this fertile environment, we are actively participating this year in the celebrations of the Month of Francophonie, through various activities in all the cities of Cyprus and abroad, through our diplomatic missions, supporting education, culture, youth and sustainable development. As every year, our schools organise various events to celebrate Francophonie. The interest shown and the synergies developed for this purpose are remarkable.
In the very rich programme of Francophonie events we have this year in Cyprus, I note that there are twelve films, two photography exhibitions, three lectures, two competitions, including the School Francophonie 2023 competition - and many other events. At this point, I would like to highlight the event to be organised on 8 March, Women's Day, with a very special film screening focusing on the experiences of the Olympique Lyonnais women's team and the problem of the place of women in sport. Of particular interest is also the film "Patchwork" by our director Petros Charalambous.
The activities organised within the framework of the Month of Francophonie are an excellent opportunity to complement the efforts we make every day in our schools to teach French and in which our pupils and students have the opportunity to participate and benefit from.
Mr. Ioannis Savvidis, Head of the Office of European and International Affairs, Lifelong Learning and Adult Education, will present the programme of events for the Month of Francophonie 2023, as well as the general participation of the Ministry.
In conclusion, I would like to express my sincere thanks to the Ambassadors and Consuls of the Francophonie member countries based in Cyprus, both for their presence here and for their excellent cooperation with the Ministry of Education, Sports and Youth, thus contributing to the best possible organisation of the events and the promotion of multicultural creativity.
I would also like to thank all the representatives of the media for their presence here and for the important role they play in informing the public and promoting all the events planned for the Month of Francophonie, thus contributing to the success of all the events.
IP
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