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The parliamentary delegation of the Canadian Branch of the Assemblée parlementaire de la Francophonie (APF), which participated in the XVth Summit of la Francophonie in Dakar, Senegal, from November 25 to 30, 2014, is honoured to present its report. The delegation consisted of the Honourable Senator Paul E. McIntyre, Q.C., President of the APF, accompanied by François Michaud, Association Secretary, Canadian Branch. Meetings As in the past, the week of the Summit began with a session of the Permanent Council of la Francophonie on November 25, 2014, followed by a session of the Ministerial Conference of la Francophonie on November 26–27. The XV Summit Conference of Heads of State and Government of Countries Using French as a Common Language was held on November 29–30. APF at the Dakar Summit In accordance with the decision made at the Ottawa Bureau in July 2014, the official delegation of the APF consisted of the Honourable Paul McIntyre, President of the APF, Aubin Minaku, First Vice President of the APF and Speaker of the National Assembly of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Pascal Terrasse, Parliamentary Secretary General of the APF and Member of Parliament (France). Mr. Minaku gave a speech before the Ministerial Conference of la Francophonie in which he expressed the opinion that the crises in francophone countries gave the parliaments of la Francophonie a new dimension and responsibility. He emphasized that the existence of a representative parliament that fully and effectively exercised its legislative and review powers was the best guarantee against any economic and political misconduct by governments. President McIntyre presented to the Heads of State and Government the Opinion from the APF, produced following the general debate held during the Plenary Meeting in Ottawa. The theme was "Women and Youth in the Francophonie: Agents for Peace and Development." Senator McIntyre put forward the concrete, practical recommendations in the Opinion concerning women and youth. On the subject of women, he emphasized the wish for the widespread application of the quota system and the need to take legal measures to promote equal opportunity. He also repeated the need to provide all children with a quality education from an early age that takes into account questions of gender and citizenship, and the need to encourage the economic independence of women and youth. Further information on the APF Opinion and a video of the presentation by President McIntyre is available at (in French only): http://apf.francophonie.org/L-APF-au-Sommet-de-Dakar.html Five representatives from the sixth session of the Francophone Youth Parliament were also present at the Dakar Summit. According to practice, these youth submitted the resolutions passed at Abidjan in July 2013 to the Heads of State and Government. The XV Summit of la Francophonie was also marked by the election of a new Secretary General, the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean. The Summit also passed what is known as the Dakar Declaration, which centres on three themes: women and youth as agents of francophone values; la Francophonie and challenges related to employment, youth integration and the promotion of women’s role as agents of development; and women and youth in public health policy and sustainable development. The APF is also mentioned in this declaration. Other major documents were also adopted during this Summit, including a Strategic Framework for la Francophonie for 2015–2022, in which the APF was mentioned about a dozen times, and the Francophonie Youth Strategy, in which the APF plays a significant role. During the Summit, the Honourable Paul McIntyre also participated in several related activities, including the Village de la Francophonie and the awarding of the Léger-Comeau medal to the Secretary General of la Francophonie, His Excellency Mr. Abdou Diouf. The APF delegation was recognized by Moustapha Niasse, Speaker of the National Assembly of Senegal. The Canadian delegation expressed its deepest gratitude to the Senegalese Branch, and especially to Mr. Niasse, for their assistance during the delegation’s stay in Senegal. Thanks to its participation in these meetings, the Canadian Branch achieved its objectives, specifically to fulfil its international obligations, maintain international ties, and defend its interests. Respectfully submitted,
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