Michaelle Jean, International Francophone Organization's New Secretary General

At the 15th Francophonie Summit held in Dakar, Senegal the membership of the International Francophone Organization (OIF) officially inducted Michaelle Jean as the new Secretary General. She takes the place of outgoing Abdou Diouf.

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Jean is the first woman to break the glass ceiling at OIF, and in her acceptance speech said, "I understand the needs and expectations of member states and governments of the OIF . . ." Jean has made a whole-hearted commitment to planning initiatives with Francophonie Associations, including government bodies and civil society institutions. Now the Francophonie has entered the 21st century it is time to place more emphasis on the role women and youth play in a modern economy. By listening and asking for input from young adults and women, a new model of prosperity will gather momentum ". . . it will combine the increase in trade and human and sustainable development for all" Jean asserted.

She was grateful for the opportunity during the campaign to discover new ideas, debate her opponents, and acquaint herself with the membership of the Francophonie. The sum total of her campaign experiences across all continents in the Francophonie has allowed her ". . . to make a real inventory of the Francophone world."

Haitian-American Michaelle Jean began as a journalist at Radio Canada from 1988â€'2005, then became Governor General of Canada 2005â€'2010. She was also appointed Special Envoy to Haiti for UNESCO, and has served as University of Ottawa Chancellor since 2012.

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