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CARAQUET - The secretary-general of the Francophonie praised the strength of the Acadian community in New Brunswick and says he would like to see more French-speaking people immigrate to the province.

Enlarge Photo

Glen Vienneau for the Telegraph-Journal

Abdou Diouf, the former president of Senegal, speaks at the opening ceremony of the sixth annual conference for francophone non-governmental and civil society organizations. ‘We are always well-received here,’ said Diouf. ‘The francophone community here is vibrant, strong, and dynamic. There aren’t enough superlatives to describe it.’

Abdou Diouf, the president of Senegal from 1981-2000, made the comments in an interview following the opening ceremony of the sixth annual conference for francophone non-governmental and civil society organizations.

"I think it's a really good idea. I'd even be prepared to sign up (to immigrate) myself," Diouf joked.

Representatives from as far Benin, Tunisia, and Switzerland made the trip to the shores of Chaleur Bay on the Acadian peninsula for the meetings.

Hédard Albert, the New Brunswick minister responsible for the Francophonie, said the conference will bring attention to the region on a global scale.

"With all the publicity and visibility from this conference, it will certainly attract immigrants," he said.

This July, Caraquet will also play host to Confemen, an international conference in education for members of the Francophonie.

"Two big conferences here will make our corner of the country known, make New Brunswick known, and show people the strong francophone presence here," he said.

Diouf has visited the province several times before.

The charismatic, six-foot-nine leader travelled to Moncton for the Francophonie summit in 1999, and returned in 2002 for a tour of the Acadian areas of the province.

"We are always well-received here," Diouf said. "The francophone community here is vibrant, strong, and dynamic. There aren't enough superlatives to describe it."

Albert said the government is actively recruiting immigrants from francophone countries as part of its goal to grow the population as part of its self-sufficiency plan.

"For example, earlier this year we sent a representative to a conference in France whose goal was to promote New Brunswick as a good place for francophone immigrants."

After an opening ceremony that featured some of the region's best-known folk artists, Diouf said in his address that New Brunswick is one of the organization's most dynamic members.

"New Brunswick symbolizes one of our most important themes - diversity, because it's a bilingual province, which is important for us," he said.

Over the next three days, participants will meet to develop a united platform on a diverse set of issues, including education, culture, human rights, and sustainable development.

Diouf said he wanted non-governmental and civil society organizations to play an important role in the Francophonie, an organization comprised of more than fifty member-states.

Conference leaders will present their findings to government leaders at the international Francophonie summit set to take place in Quebec City next October.