A Community of Over 321 million Francophones Around the World
The Organisation internationale de la Francophonie (OIF) is a global organization that brings together states and governments with a shared interest in the French language and international cooperation in the fields of culture, education, commerce, and politics. The mission of the OIF is to embody the active solidarity between its 93 member states and governments, which together represent over one-third of the United Nations’ member states and account for a population of over 900 million people, including over 321 million French speakers.
Louisiana became an observing member of the OIF in 2018, the only state in the United States with such a designation, after years of work and collaboration between CODOFIL and the OIF. In the years leading up to the OIF membership, CODOFIL worked tirelessly to make the case that Louisiana deserved a seat on the international stage. Now, as Louisiana’s Agency of Francophone Affairs, CODOFIL serves as the state government liaison for the membership to the OIF, engaging in all official communication with the OIF and its members.
Louisiana’s membership allows the CODOFIL executive director and state officials to attend regular OIF meetings, receive funding for Francophone projects, and guarantees a spot at the biennial OIF Summit of heads of state and governments that are members of the OIF. This regular communication between CODOFIL and the OIF has led to increased funding for French projects in Louisiana, and provides state officials with access to heads of state of Francophone nations to further establish diplomatic and economic relations.
How the OIF Works
The OIF works through the five following operating agencies:
- Assemblée parlementaire de la Francophonie (APF)
- The Parliamentary Assembly of the Francophonie is composed of members of 78 governing bodies from francophone countries and supports intergovernmental cooperation on the OIF’s mission. Louisiana has been a member since 1970.
- Agence universitaire de la Francophonie (AUF)
- The Association of Francophone Universities represents nearly 800 institutions of higher learning in 100 countries and is the OIF’s agent for secondary education and research.
- TV5MONDE
- TV5MONDE is an international television network consisting of 10 channels distributed in nearly 200 countries and territories and is the OIF’s principal media partner.
- Association internationale des maires francophones
- The International Association of Francophone Mayors is a network of local-level elected officials from 265 cities and local governments in 49 countries.
- Université Senghor d’Alexandrie
- Senghor University of Alexandria is a center for education and exchange and a primary tool for African development.
OIF Supported Projects in Louisiana
KRVS-Radio Acadie
In coordination with la Représentation de l’OIF pour les Amériques – REPAM, CODOFIL works with local radio station KRVS to broaden the educational opportunities available to French immersion students in Louisiana. Funding from the OIF supports “Les voix d’immersion française” on KRVS, which is an educational program featuring interviews with French immersion students in Louisiana that are aired on “Bonjour Louisiane.” The show airs live Monday through Friday from 5 a.m. to 7 a.m.
University of Louisiana at Lafayette
In 2023, the University of Louisiana at Lafayette joined the Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie, making it the first member of the international network of French-speaking universities and research institutions in the United States. The AUF also provides a vast, global network for sharing best practices among a range of stakeholders in areas such as workforce development and policy, thanks to its extensive, global partnerships with industry and government.
Mois de la Francophonie
In March of each year, the OIF celebrates the French language and Francophones of the world in preparation of the International Francophonie Day on March 20. Typically, there are hundreds of events organized around the world that highlight the diversity and vitality of the French-speaking world.
Visit the OIF website for a list of events.
International Francophonie Day
Since 1990, francophones and francophiles on every continent have been celebrating the Journée internationale de la Francophonie on March 20. This event was created in 1988 to celebrate the French language and the over 321 million speakers worldwide. It’s an opportunity for all individuals to celebrate by expressing their solidarity and desire to live together, in recognition of their differences and diversity. March 20 was chosen to commemorate the signing, on March 20, 1970 in Niamey (Niger), of the Treaty establishing the Agence de Coopération Culturelle et Technique (ACCT), the first French-speaking international organization.