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The Canadian Parliamentary Delegation to the Meeting of the Parliamentary Affairs Committee of the Assemblée parlementaire de la Francophonie (APF) held in Clermont-Ferrand, France, from April 5 to 6, 2011, has the honour to present its report. Composed of the Hon. Pierre De Bané, Senator and Chair of the Parliamentary Affairs Committee, the delegation was accompanied by François Michaud, Executive Secretary of the Canadian Branch. The following branches were represented: Belgium / French Community / Wallonia-Brussels, Benin, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Cameroon, Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, France, Gabon, Jura, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Quebec, Romania, Senegal, Switzerland and Val d’Aosta. The Hon. Senator Pierre De Bané, Chair of the Parliamentary Affairs Committee of the APF, opened the meeting by warmly thanking the French Branch, Senator Michèle André and the entire French team who worked hard to ensure the meeting’s success. Jean-Yves Gouttebel, President of the General Council (Puy de Dome), and Senator André extended a warm welcome to all delegates in Puy de Dôme, Auvergne and Clermont-Ferrand. Matters of protocol having been dealt with over, the Committee unanimously adopted the agenda and the minutes of the last Committee meeting in Dakar in July 2010. Senator De Bané then presented the Chair’s report and gave members a vivid and comprehensive overview of the Francophonie, which members listened to attentively. Senator André was then invited to make a short presentation on her region. Political nomadism Sylvie Roy, Member (Quebec) and Blaise Kyelem Lambert, Member (Burkina Faso), presented their draft report, “Political Nomadism,” a new theme for the Committee. The report paints a picture of the situation in thirteen countries/states: Burkina Faso, Burundi, Canada (federal), the French Community of Belgium, France, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Quebec, Romania, Rwanda, Switzerland, Val d’Aosta and the Canton of Vaud.
Parliamentary cooperation Martine Bondo, Senator (Gabon), presented her report, “Parliamentary Cooperation.” The report highlights the importance of inter-parliamentary cooperation as a specific approach to contribute to strengthening the rule of law and the proper functioning of democratic institutions through the improvement of parliamentary business. Parliament, press, media and democratization Fatiha Layadi, Member (Morocco) presented her report, “Parliament, Press, Media and Democratization.” Life of assemblies in the Francophone world: parliamentary procedure and practice Michèle André, Senator (France), presented a progress report on parliamentary procedure and practice. Follow-up on election observation missions Jean-Claude Maene (Belgium / French Community / Wallonia-Brussels) presented a report on election fact-finding missions and contacts. The report examined the missions in which the Assemblée parlementaire de la Francophonie (APF) has participated since the Assembly of July 2010. Parliamentary seminars and training courses Senator De Bané, on behalf of Mr. Louis Vlavonou (Benin), gave a follow-up report. Noria program Mireille Eza, director of Noria (General Secretariat of the APF), gave a report on the program’s activities. The francophone youth parliament (PFJ) and national youth parliaments (NPC) Senator Martine Bondo (Gabon) reported on the national youth parliaments. Alain Berset, Member of the Council of States (Switzerland), presented a project on the francophone youth parliament. Bachir Dieye, advisor for the francophone youth parliament (Secretariat General of the APF), discussed PFJ programs and the national youth parliaments. Questions to the Secretary General of the OIF The Committee members looked at proposed issues to be addressed by the OIF Secretary General at the next annual meeting of the APF, in Kinshasa in July 2011. Other meetings Patrick Stéphanini, Prefect of Puy de Dome, and Jean Pierron, President of the Auvergne Radio DX Club, met and spoke with members of the Committee. The next meeting of the Committee will be held in July 2011 as part of the XXXVII Session of the APF in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo.
Respectfully submitted,
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