News Release

DIEPPE (GNB) – The provincial government, in co-operation with the International Organization of La Francophonie, today announced that New Brunswick will host the third Forum international jeunesse et emplois verts (international forum on youth and green jobs), being held June 20-24 in the Greater Moncton area.

“Our government is honoured to host the third edition of this flagship event of La Francophonie here in New Brunswick, because it will help to create future jobs, promote entrepreneurship, and train our youth,” said Economic Development Minister Francine Landry, who is also minister responsible for La Francophonie. “This forum will enable young people in New Brunswick and throughout La Francophonie to show that their entrepreneurial spirit and leadership create jobs while promoting growth of the green economy in our province, in our country, and around the world.”

The forum (website in French only) provides young francophones aged 18 to 34 with an opportunity to showcase their creativity and entrepreneurial spirit by presenting projects aimed at creating jobs in the green economy sector.

“As was stated by secretary general Michaëlle Jean, La Francophonie wants to give young people the chance to discover themselves, to hope, to surpass themselves, to offer the best of themselves, and to achieve great things,” said the organization’s program specialist, Moussa Sinon.

The forum will feature a green jobs fair for young people, who will have an entire day to present their projects, generate interest among visitors, answer questions, and make useful contacts with technical and financial partners.

Plenary sessions and roundtables will be held on themes related to sustainable development. The plenary sessions will look at issues of general interest related to the green economy, which will lead to recommendations aimed at national and international organizations.

For example, the second forum, held in Niamey, Niger, included a collective thinking exercise on the possibility of setting up a multilateral fund to support green jobs for youth.

“The Université de Moncton welcomes hosting an international youth forum on the environment and green job creation here in this region,” said Marie-Linda Lord, vice-president of student and international affairs. “By promoting sustainable development, entrepreneurship, and training for francophone youth, this forum, being held in part on the Moncton campus, is fully in line with the policies of our institution.”

The objectives of the forum are to:

• promote entrepreneurship in relation to sustainable development and all of its positive effects on society;

• show that the green economy and green jobs represent the future by showcasing youth from here and abroad who are proposing tangible solutions to sustainable development issues; and

• heighten awareness of all the projects and New Brunswick’s expertise in the areas of youth and entrepreneurship, education, and training.

“Being committed to the transmission of entrepreneurial culture, the Collège communautaire du Nouveau-Brunswick is delighted to contribute to this international forum that encourages young people in La Francophonie to become entrepreneurs of their lives,” said Liane Roy, president and CEO of the college. “This is a terrific example of collaboration at several levels, which ensures continued leadership and sustainable development for youth.”

According the International Organization of La Francophonie, the forum is a manifestation of its commitment to a global vision of sustainable development, economic development, and the role of young people. This commitment, upheld in the 2015-2022 strategic framework for La Francophonie, is consistent with the sustainable development objectives adopted by the United Nations.

As a member government since 1977, New Brunswick is an active participant in the achievement of the organization’s objectives, especially in the fields of education and vocational and technical training, youth, the economy, children’s rights, and sustainable development.