Agence de coopération cuturelle et technique : Canada became associated with the Francophonie from its beginnings and helped create and develop many of its institutions. Canada was one of the founding members of the Agency for Cultural and Technical Co-operation (ACCT) in Niamey, Niger, in 1970, and Jean-Marc Léger, a Quebec journalist, was the agency's first secretary-general.
Canada has maintained a strong presence over the years, as the community of francophone countries established various mechanisms and structures of exchange and dialogue. The ACCT continues to be the keystone of the Francophonie. It promotes mutual co-operation in education, culture, science and technology, in the interest of forming closer ties through the use of the French language. The ACCT aims to create a new North-South solidarity and spread knowledge about the various francophone cultures. Its current secretary-general is Jean-Louis Roy, a Canadian from Quebec.
During the 1960s, two permanent ministerial conferences _ one on education, the other on youth and sports _ were created to contribute to the socio-economic development of the member countries. The Francophone Games, along with cultural events, are held about every four years. Canada shows support by providing annual or one-time subsidies and by loaning staff to several professional and educational organizations, both para-governmental and private sector. The Francophonie has been revitalized by the regular meeting of member countries' heads of state and government since 1986.
The federal government has looked for creative ways to make sure that provinces can participate fully in the activities of the Francophonie. For one, the status of "participating government" was given to Quebec and New Brunswick, so that all three governments could play active and distinct roles in the ACCT. Ontario and Manitoba, on the other hand, are involved as part of the Canadian delegation. Provincial participation sometimes involves a provincial minister being named head of the Canadian delegation and speaking on behalf of Canada. This happens, for instance, at the ministerial conferences on education and on youth and sports. This openness has made it possible for Quebec and New Brunswick to attend the summits and participate fully in the co-operation area. Although the federal government takes the lead in the political and economic areas, Quebec and New Brunswick have "interested observer" status. 1549
