Asia-Pacific forum for young Francophones launched in Hanoi

The three-day event is being co-hosted by the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union (HCMYU)’s Central Committee, the National Committee on Youth of Vietnam, and the Asia-Pacific Regional Office of the International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF).

As part of his opening speech at the event, Bui Quang Huy, first secretary of the HCMYU Central Committee, reviewed Vietnamese participation in the Francophone community since 1979, with remarkable contributions made to advancing the community’s position within the international arena.

With its external policy of diversification and multilateralisation, the Vietnamese side places great importance on co-operation with the Francophone community, he said, highlighting the important role of young people in boosting ties among member countries, as well as linkages between the HCMYU and the National Committee on Youth of Vietnam and the Conference of Ministers of Youth and Sports of La Francophonie (CONFEJES).

The theme of the forum therefore suits the context of Industry 4.0, the sharing economy and the booming trend of innovation and startups, Huy stated.  HCMYU and other youth organisations based in Vietnam have carried out multiple programmes and solutions aimed at promoting startup and innovation among young people.

Huy went on to express his confidence that the forum will give a chance to participants to exchange experience in employment and startup in the French-speaking environment, as well as in sustainable development, digital technology, and information and communication technology, thus creating new values for the community.

Following the opening ceremony, the delegates attended a plenary session with the theme of “Francophone community in Asia-Pacific: cross-cutting perspectives”, as well as workshops on various topics such as startup and career integration of young French-speakers in the Asia-Pacific region, sustainable tourism, and employment opportunities in digital technology.