It is with great pleasure that I welcome you today to the awards ceremony for the Pancyprian School Francophone Competition 2023. This year, as every year, this competition was held in cooperation with the Ministry of Education, Sports and Youth and the French Institute of Cyprus, which I would like to thank for its excellent cooperation.
This year's events are held under the common motto: "321 million French speakers, billions of elements of culture."
And indeed, since the founding 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 who share the French language, the universal values of humanism, democracy and freedom, as well as the principles of equality, complementarity and solidarity.
In this context, the Agency's main concern is to promote cultural and linguistic diversity, accept diversity and support education, research and sustainable development.
Since 2006, Cyprus has been one of the mosaics that create this complex and multicultural mosaic of Francophonie countries and has been actively participating in the activities and events to celebrate the anniversary of the founding of the Organisation, while demonstrating its interest and love for the French language and French culture.
The certification of the French language in public schools, the extension of its teaching in high schools and technical schools and the operation of a branch of the French Cypriot School in Limassol, undoubtedly create a great opening to the modern world, offering more opportunities for the young people of Cyprus to get to know better the language that unites the peoples of the great family of Francophonie.
In this direction, equally important is the signing of a series of memoranda of understanding that the Republic of Cyprus has concluded with the French Government and other organisations. Indicatively, I mention the signing of memoranda of understanding concerning educational, linguistic and cultural cooperation, the promotion of synergies in the field of Technical and Vocational Education, the certification of the French language DELF Scolaire in public schools in Cyprus and the possibility of housing Cypriot students on the University Campus of Paris.
Friends,
This year's Francophone School Competition, which has become an institution in our country's school life, encompasses in its theme all these values that Francophonie stands for. With the title: "Singing in French a multicultural, green and solidarity Europe", the competition gave our students the opportunity to showcase their sensitivity to issues and challenges of modern society, such as accepting diversity, promoting cultural diversity and protecting the environment. The competition is in line with and supports one of the key objectives we have set as a Ministry for the current school year, that of promoting actions to raise awareness among our students about the climate crisis and its consequences.
As every year, this year's competition was well received, with the participation of high school students from all over Cyprus. The children responded with zeal and enthusiasm, showcasing their talent and imagination, creating remarkable work and proving once again that, when given the motivation, they can excel. Soon, we will have the pleasure of enjoying the creations of our students.
In closing, I would like to congratulate you, all of you, for your participation, your zeal and your effort. In particular, I would like to congratulate the winners of the competition. I hope that Francophonie will continue to unite people, countries and peoples, in all their differences and diversity.
(IP/MB)
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