Structure of the Institutions of La Francophonie
The Organisation internationale de la Francophonie (OIF) (only available in French) is an institution based on the sharing of a common language and values. It guides actions in the fields of international policy and multilateral cooperation. The Secretary General, Abdou Diouf, (only available in French) is responsible for implementing international policy and facilitating and coordinating the policy of cooperation within the Francophonie.
The Conference of Heads of State and Governments using French as a common language, referred to as the "Summit" (only available in French) brings together the heads of States and governments that are members of the OIF. These Summits address the major international issues of the day and set the priorities and strategic objectives of La Francophonie. The Summit is chaired by the head of State or government of the host country, who assumes that responsibility for a two-year period. The last Summit took place in Bucharest, Romania, on September 28 and 29, 2006.
During the 21st Session of the Ministerial Conference of La Francophonie, the Ministers responsible for Culture adopted a new Charter of La Francophonie. The Charter creates a stronger intergovernmental organization headed-up by the Secretary General and simplifies and streamlines the structures and operations of the institutions of La Francophonie.
The Secretary General also regularly chairs a cooperation council responsible for fostering coordinated action between the OIF and the Agence universitaire de la Francophonie (only available in French), TV5 Monde (only available in French), the Association internationale des Maires francophones (only available in French) and the Université Senghor d'Alexandrie (only available in French).
The OIF is also supported by a consultative assembly, the Assemblée des parlementaires de la Francophonie (only available in French) and by the work and recommendations of the two Standing Ministerial Conferences: the Conference of Education Ministers (CONFEMEN) (only available in French), and the Conference of Youth and Sport Ministers from countries sharing the French-language (CONFEJES)(only available in French), as well as Sectoral Conferences of Ministers.
The four objectives of multilateral cooperation are:
- promoting the French language and cultural and linguistic diversity;
- promoting peace, democracy and human rights;
- supporting education, training, higher education and research; and
- developing cooperation to ensure sustainable development and solidarity.