News Release

MONCTON (GNB) – New Brunswick will be guest of honour when the documentary De Moncton à Kinshasa (from Moncton to Kinshasa), directed by Paul Arseneau and produced by Phare-Est Média, is presented in the Victor Hugo room of the National Assembly of France in Paris on Thursday, June 27.

The event will be held on the invitation of Claude Bartolone, president of the National Assembly, Catherine Coutelle, president of the French section of the Canada-France Interparliamentary Association, and Jean-Pierre Dufau, president-delegate of the French section of the Assemblée parlementaire de la Francophonie (parliamentary assembly of the Francophonie). Deputy Premier and Economic Development Minister Paul Robichaud, who is also minister responsible for La Francophonie, will be joined by the President of the New Brunswick section of the Assemblée parlementaire de la Francophonie, Madawaska-les-Lacs MLA Yvon Bonenfant; and Tracadie-Sheila MLA Claude Landry, as deputy speaker of the House.

"This is a historic event and a wonderful opportunity to mark New Brunswick's 35-year participation in the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie (international organization of the Francophonie)," said Robichaud. "It is also another example of the excellent international visibility that our participation in this organization is giving us."

Robichaud will meet with various representatives from organizations associated with the international Francophonie, including the French Minister Delegate, Yamina Benguigui, and the Secretary General, Abdou Diouf. Robichaud will also have a discussion with the Canadian Ambassador to France, Lawrence Cannon. He will express New Brunswick's interest in raising its profile and increasing its participation in Francophonie organizations in order to promote cultural diversity, human and children's rights, as well as education and vocational training. Robichaud will also promote the 2014 World Acadian Congress.

The Organisation internationale de la Francophonie is the only international governmental organization in which New Brunswick has a place at the decision-making table, and where the premier, ministers, and senior public servants have direct and preferred access to the highest-level officials of 77 member states and governments, including their heads of state and government, and sectoral ministers.

"Our participation in the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie gives New Brunswick access to a series of networks in a host of strategically important areas such as education, research, culture, trade, the environment, management, and innovation," said Robichaud.

De Moncton à Kinshasa is a documentary that was filmed in 2012 and premiered in Moncton as part of International Francophonie Day in March 2013. It records New Brunswick's journey within the institution of the international Francophonie. It is the result of a collaboration between Phare-Est Média in Moncton and the broadcaster TV5 Québec Canada.