What You Need to Know
Mauritius is hosting a two-day meeting of the Parliamentary Affairs Commission of the Assemblée Parlementaire de la Francophonie at the Caudan Arts Centre. The event, attended by key officials, aims to discuss the French language’s role, democracy, and youth engagement in parliamentary processes, highlighting Mauritius’ commitment to the Francophonie.
Africa-Press – Mauritius. A two-day meeting of the Parliamentary Affairs Commission (PAC) of the Assemblée Parlementaire de la Francophonie (APF), hosted by the Mauritius National Assembly, commenced this morning, at the Caudan Arts Centre in Port-Louis.
The Speaker of the National Assembly, Mrs Shirin Aumeeruddy-Cziffra and the Chair of the PAC of APF, Mr Joël Godin, were present at the opening ceremony.
In her address, Mrs Shirin Aumeeruddy-Cziffra highlighted the widespread use of the French language in Mauritius, recalling that its colonial heritage has played a significant role in shaping the Mauritian Creole language. She noted that Mauritius is one of the leading French-speaking countries within the Commonwealth.
Addressing Mauritius’ status as a small island nation and its cultural pluralism, the Speaker of the National Assembly underscored the country’s commitment to remaining open to the world, fostering a balanced diplomacy and sustaining strong global integration in order to effectively voice its interests. “It is in this perspective that we remain deeply attached to the Francophonie”, she said, emphasising that it provides a platform for dialogue, the exchange of best practices on matters of common interests, and discussions on political, social and economic issues.
According to her, the Francophonie allows its members to speak with a unified voice across multilateral, regional, and international platforms.
On his part, the Chair of the PAC, Mr Godin, underlined that the meeting serves primarily as a platform to discuss key priorities, including the use of the French language, the role of parliamentarians in strengthening democracy and cooperation, and the exploration of Artificial Intelligence.
Mr Godin also pointed out that, during the meeting, the Commission will explore the development of partnerships with various organisations in the Indian Ocean. He moreover indicated that, in line with the objective to promote youth participation in parliamentary matters, three Mauritian participants of the National Youth Parliament have been given the opportunity to participate in the event.
As the Francophonie continues to expand, the APF and its various commissions play a key role in advancing initiatives in this regard, added Mr Godin.
Mauritius has a rich colonial history that has significantly influenced its linguistic landscape, particularly the use of French and Creole. As a member of the Commonwealth, it stands out as a leading French-speaking nation, which shapes its diplomatic relations and cultural identity. The Assemblée Parlementaire de la Francophonie plays a crucial role in fostering cooperation among French-speaking countries, promoting dialogue on shared interests and challenges, especially in the context of globalization and cultural pluralism.
