Hanoi (VNA) - The Asia – Pacific forum for young Francophones will take place in Hanoi over three days, from September 11 – 13, focusing on employment, creativity, and innovation – the key issues of the Francophone community in the region, according to the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union (HCYU) Central Committee.
The event will be jointly held by the HCYU Central Committee, the National Committee on Youth of Vietnam, and the Asia – Pacific Regional Office of the International Organisation of La Francophonie (IOF).
The three-day forum is to be attended by 50 delegates from members or observers of OIF in the Asia-Pacific region, including Cambodia, the Republic of Korea, Laos, Thailand, Vanuatu, Vietnam, and France’s New Caledonia, Polynesia and Futuna.
Delegates must be between 18 and 35 years old, fluent in French, have knowledge and experience related to the topics discussed in the forum. The goal is to have delegates propose projects in the fields of innovation, art, or economics.
Vietnam will send 10 delegates to the event, which will be also attended by Vietnamese and international experts and lecturers.
Under the theme of employment, creativity, and innovation, participants will share experience and information, as well as propose solutions regarding job opportunities for young people in the Francophone community in the region.
A plenary session with a roundtable discussion themed "The Francophone Community in Asia-Pacific: Intersecting Perspectives” will be arranged after the opening ceremony on September 11.
Specialised workshops will cover the topics of employment, overseas opportunities, business start-ups, and career integration for French-speaking youths in Asia-Pacific. There are also sessions on the environment and sustainable development, digital and information technology and communication, and entrepreneurship in the Francophone environment.
On September 12, workshops will be held on leadership skills, emotional intelligence, and intercultural communication in the workplace.
On September 13, delegates will participate in a youth training programme on project development, and present projects of the groups.
Within the framework of the forum, delegates will also join activities to experience Vietnamese culture.
According to the HCYU’s Central Committee, the forum aims to maintain and promote cooperation between youth and students within the Francophone community’s members, and at the same time demonstrate Vietnam's role as an active member of the community.
The forum contributes to enhancing exchanges and connection between youth and students of Vietnam and international friends, promoting the love for Vietnam among young people in the region. It also introduces the potential, culture, and tradition of Vietnam as well as the dynamism, intelligence, and integration of Vietnamese youth.
In addition, the event is expected to further solidify the role and position of Vietnam - a key Francophone country in Asia-Pacific and a responsible member that makes active, substantial and focused contributions to the Francophone community.
Vietnam has been an OIF member since its foundation in 1970 and is considered among its founders.
Over the past years, Vietnam has made continuous efforts to contribute to promoting the image and presence of the French-speaking community in the Asia-Pacific and the world at large.
2024 is an important year for the Francophone Community, marked by the organisation of the Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games and the Francophone Summit in Villers-Cotterêts (France). The year also marks the 30th founding anniversary the OIF’s Asia-Pacific Office./.
