Report

The parliamentary delegation of the Canadian Branch, which participated in the 9th Francophone Youth Parliament (FYP) in Tirana, Albania, from July 25 to 31, 2022, has the honour to present its report. Mr. Francis Drouin, MP, Chair of the Canadian Branch and President of the Assemblée parlementaire de la Francophonie (APF), represented the Canadian Branch. Two youth representatives also attended the event as Branch delegates: Ms. Sylvie Giraldeau and Mr. Laurent Cousineau.

Over 50 young people aged 18 to 23 from the four regions of La Francophonie participated in this meeting. Mr. Drouin participated in his role as APF President.

FRANCOPHONE YOUTH PARLIAMENTS

Mr. Drouin welcomed participants and opened the 9th Francophone Youth Parliament alongside Ms. Lindita Nikolla, Speaker of the Albanian Parliament; Mr. Erjon Veliaj, Mayor of Tirana; Mr. Jean‑Charles Luperto, chargé de mission for Europe; and two FYP representatives, Ms. Esther Fifamè Auria Djossa of Benin, and Mr. Yu Cai Tian of Canada.

The official opening marked the beginning of the plenary activities, as well as the work of the Political Committee, the Parliamentary Affairs Committee, the Cooperation and Development Committee, and the Education, Communication and Cultural Affairs Committee. Mr. Drouin thanked the young people for participating, and said that “the FYP’s goals include developing civic and political engagement among young people and conveying the values of good governance. The FYP is also an opportunity to give young francophones a voice, by giving them a forum to express their expectations and ideals.”

The FYP discussed the following topics:

· the fight against climate change and the implementation of sustainable development goals;

· misinformation in our societies and how it affects democracies;

· the francophone cultural space and how to promote the restitution of cultural assets; and

· respect for human rights in francophone nations.

Youth participants debated the topics listed above and also adopted resolutions that will be presented to the relevant APF committees at their upcoming meetings.

Mr. Francis Drouin, Chair of the Canadian Branch and President of the APF, also participated in a number of bilateral meetings during the interparliamentary mission. He first met with the two FYP representatives, with whom he discussed the role of the APF and its work in partnership with the youth organization. He also met with Ms. Lindita Nikolla, Speaker of the Albanian Parliament, as well as Ms. Jozefina Topalli, Chair of the Albanian Branch of the APF; Ms. Ermonela Valikaj Felaj, Deputy Speaker of the Albanian Parliament; and Mr. Erion Veliaj, Mayor of Tirana. They discussed La Francophonie and the role of the French language in Albania and internationally; the role of young people within La Francophonie; disinformation; the role of women in politics; social cohesion and freedom of religion; food security and the green economy; and the situation in Ukraine.

Lastly, Mr. Drouin presented the Ordre de la Pléiade to the Mayor of Tirana.

Respectfully submitted,


Francis Drouin, MP
Chair of the Canadian Branch of the
Assemblée parlementaire de la Francophonie (APF)