For Romania and Egypt, the Francophonie has never been only about language. It has also been about modernisation and inspiration for a better future.
Our countries share many meaningful experiences. Among them, the French language and culture played a significant role in shaping our modern societies. In Romania, as in Egypt, French culture inspired generations of intellectuals, institutions and laws. It shaped education, cultural life and how our societies imagined progress.
For our countries, the Francophonie is part of a living connection to distinct strategic spaces, even as we live in different regions. Both our countries share a strategic vision of Africa, as central to the future of Francophonie. We have strategic partnerships with France, and want the Francophone community to thrive through cooperation, moderation and development.
Both Egypt and Romania have long understood that the Francophonie creates bridges. Today, in a more fragmented world, these bridges may become a real safety network for our countries, and a new dawn for a multilateralism that delivers.
Egypt has demonstrated a remarkable long-term commitment to Africa’s future. By investing in the new campus of Senghor, Egypt is investing in creating Africa’s future through leadership.
To me, the Senghor University epitomises what the Francophonie should become: future-oriented, pragmatic and focused on building human capacity. Romania shares this commitment. Through its long-standing scholarship programs for African students and its recent contribution to the new Senghor campus, Romania is also investing in Africa’s young generations and the growth of African leadership.
This shared background provides a strong foundation for building a new, more courageous future for the Francophonie, with the younger generation in mind, Africa at its heart, and all regions fully engaged. A Francophonie of opportunities.
If we want young people to feel safe and confident about their future, we need to act together to ensure they have educational, economic, social and cultural opportunities. Africa’s youngsters are at the forefront of my priorities.
The Francophonie should better align French-language education and professional training with the real needs of our societies. This means stronger scientific, technical and vocational education in French; support for young people to turn skills into employment and ideas into projects; and improved access for young girls in schools, as well as for women in universities, business and public life.
If we want young people to have workplaces and start businesses, we must develop the economic Francophonie. The Organisation internationale de la Francophonie (OIF) should bring together businesses, investors, universities, development institutions and entrepreneurs. It should mobilise expertise and funding to create sustainable growth solutions: investments, jobs, innovation.
The Francophonie must confront the challenges that will shape the future of younger generations: food security and climate change. We need projects and cooperation in sustainable agriculture and environmental protection.
Economic development will contribute to the social stability necessary for a good life. Respect for cultural diversity, anchored in shared universal values and human dignity, will empower young people to live up to their identities.
This is the spirit of my candidacy for the General Secretary of the Francophonie: bringing together states, governments, operators, businesses, and communities to build a future of opportunity while respecting local cultures.
Dacian Cioloș
Candidate for the General Secretary of the Francophonie
