Jacques Godfrain is a former minister and president of the Francophone Association for Friendship and Liaison (AFAL), a federation of 120 Francophone associations accredited by the International Organization of La Francophonie. Marie Béatrice Levaux is President of the Francophonie Committee of Young Francophone Ambassadors (JAF); special advisor to the president of AFAL; and author of the book
Plea for a Citizen Francophonie
.
Paris 2024 is preparing with a lot of ambitions, 100 years after the last Summer Olympics organized in France.
Everything has been said or almost on the ambition of France, of Paris, to meet the new aspirations of the public and in particular of the younger generations, for innovative, sustainable and generous games.
Everything, except this little more French-speaking which would honor all those who have French in common in the world.
“The Olympic and Paralympic Games are an unmissable event in which 300 million French speakers will recognize themselves”
, says Louise Mushikiwabo, Secretary General of La Francophonie.
What about a few months before the opening of these Games?
The question deserves to be asked in this month of March, which is home to the week of the French language and the Francophonie and the international day of the Francophonie (March 20).
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The world will be at the rendezvous of Paris 2024, that the French language, official language of the Games, will also be there!
Paris 2024 must be an example for the use of the language of Baron de Coubertin, in the Olympic village, in the stadiums and in all the places in mainland France and overseas where the events will be held.
Paris 2024 is expected by the entire French-speaking world in the diversity of the five continents, to be the capital of La Francophonie in 2024, during the Games and a few weeks before the Francophonie summit, also hosted in the fall by France. .
States play their role vis-à-vis other governments to ensure that their country's best interests are respected.
Recalling firmly that the French language has always been recognized as one of the major international languages, obliges us not to underestimate the place of a reengaged French-speaking Olympism in 2024.
Jacques Godfrain and Marie Beatrice Levaux
So Louis XIV built Versailles to ensure the respect and admiration of other European courts.
Napoleon, in the name of transmitting the historical values of France, such as the predominance of the rule of law, established the Code Napoléon.
Recently, significant funds have been devoted to the renovation of the castle of Villers-Cotterêts where François 1er proclaimed French as the official language of our country.
That is to say the prestige linked to heritage!
Recalling firmly that the French language has always been recognized as one of the major international languages, obliges us not to underestimate the place of a French-speaking Olympism recommitted in 2024, in its contemporary and modern vision.
Otherwise, what good are French teachers in all the countries of the world, sometimes volunteer teachers, French alliances and French institutes, scholarships open to young people from all continents, motivated by French-speaking culture and usefulness?
Francophony and the use of the French language alongside an assumed multilingualism are the result of the centuries-old efforts of entire generations who have often sacrificed their modest incomes so that France has the means of its sovereignty, in sharing its language. and in respect of its global speakers.
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Paris 2024 will finally be the meeting place for the youth of the world and in particular for French-speaking youth.
The President of the French Republic, during the last Francophonie summit held last fall in Djerba, clearly announced his ambition for France to host the 19th summit in 2024, with an innovative vision where young people play their full part.
We are preparing one of its commitments: 1000 young French-speaking ambassadors in 2024, representatives of the five continents.
We will be ready to support Paris 2024 as well!
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