Francophonie: New Approaches of Emmanuel Macron

97
DOI: 10.20542/0131-2227-2024-68-5-28-38
EDN: KUCPGA
Ya. Strel’tsova, streltsovi@comtv.ru
Plekhanov Russian University of Economics, 36, Stremyannyi Per., Moscow, 117997, Russian Federation.

Received 19.12.2023. Revised 27.12.2023. Accepted 06.03.2024.

Abstract. The article examines the new approaches of French President Emmanuel Macron to the Francophonie policy. It concerns his strategy of “New Francophonie”, which involves a departure from the traditional policy of Francocentrism and the promotion of France’s interests towards greater influence and consideration of the diversity in the Francophone World, a multilateral dimension in relations with French-speaking states, especially Africa. The main directions of the “Strategy of the French language and multilingualism” proposed by Macron are outlined. Attention is paid to the Francophonie policy projects that are being successfully implemented during his presidency, the initiatives put forward at the last Francophonie summit in Tunisia in 2022, as well as to the problems of this policy. E. Macron’s new approaches, in contrast to the previous Francophonie policy, prioritize the multilateral dimension, taking into account the interests of all representatives of the Francophone World, establishing partnerships in education, economics and business, promoting digital culture in the French language, as well as restoring the prestige of France in the Francophone language space. Africa occupies a special place in Macron’s policy, which opposes colonial relations and ethnocentrism. Facing fierce competition and anti-French sentiment in France’s traditional spheres of influence, Macron is looking for new opportunities to expand his country’s presence in Africa, trying to develop political and economic cooperation, including with English-speaking African states. The main directions of the modern Francophonie policy in the coming years will be art, culture and language, considered as one whole, education and economics, “economic Francophonie”, expanding cooperation within the French-speaking space with the widespread use of digital and other new technologies. On the part of France, this implies an increase in funding and investment in projects related to education in French, especially higher education, and primarily on the African continent, strengthening the presence of the French language on the Internet and in international organizations, including within the European bloc of the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie (OIF).

Keywords: Francophonie, E. Macron, multilateral dimension, Africa, French


REFERENCES

1. Boutin B. L’élan de la franchophonie: Pour une ambition française (2). Fondation pour l’innovation politique, Paris, MARS, 2018. 44 p. Available at: https://www.fondapol.org/app/uploads/2020/05/124_FRANCOPHONIE_II_2018-03-12_web-1.pdf (accessed 17.09.2023).

2. Pilhion R., Poletti M.-L. …Et le monde parlera français. Paris, Iggybook, 2017, 4e de couverture. 450 p. Available at: https://www.academia.edu/35461944/_Et_le_monde_parlera_fran%C3%A7ais (accessed 17.09.2023).

3. Pilleri L. La francophonie selon Macron: moderne et décomplexée. Francopresse, 02.04.2018. Available at: https://francopresse.ca/actualite/2018/04/02/la-francophonie-selon-macron-moderne-et-decomplexee/ (accessed 18.09.2023).

4. Macron E. Investir ensemble, pour une nouvelle alliance entre L’Afrique Et L’Europe. Seul le prononcé fait foi, 16.02.2022. Available at: https://www.elysee.fr/emmanuel-macron/2022/02/16/investir-ensemble-pour-une-nouvelle-alliance-entre-lafrique-et-leurope (accessed 23.09.2023).

5. Macron E. Une ambition pour la langue française et le plurilinguisme – Bilan après 4 ans d’action. 08.11.2022. Available at: https://www.elysee.fr/emmanuel-macron/2022/11/18/une-ambition-pour-la-langue-francaise-et-le-plurilinguisme-bilan-apres-4-ans-daction (accessed 23.09.2023).

6. Cornillet Th., Philip Ch. Francophonie, pourquoi notre indifférence? Opinion Internationale, 20.03.2020. Available at: https://www.opinion-internationale.com/2020/03/20/francophonie-pourquoi-notre-indifference_72041.html (accessed 23.09.2023).

7. Macron E. Le discours de Ouagadougou d’Emmanuel Macron. Le Monde, 29.11.2017. Available at: https://www.lemonde.fr/afrique/article/2017/11/29/le-discours-de-ouagadougou-d-emmanuel-macron_5222245_3212.html (accessed 20.10.2023).

8. Robiliard V. Changer les regards et les esprits – La politique africaine d’Emmanuel Macron. Control Risks, 31.08.2021. Available at: https://www.controlrisks.com/fr/our-thinking/french/la-politique-africaine-d-emmanuel-macron (accessed 29.11.2023).

9. Dönmez Ü. Macron au Sommet de la Francophonie: Mon “projet” est celui de la “reconquête”. l’Agence Anadolu, 19.11.2022. Available at: https://www.aa.com.tr/fr/monde/macron-au-sommet-de-la-francophonie-mon-projet-est-celui-de-la-reconqu%C3%AAte/2742663 (accessed 02.12.2023).

10. De Laborde A. Sommet de la Francophonie: à Djerba, Emmanuel Macron veut relancer l’usage du français. Europe 1, 19.11.2022. Available at: https://www.europe1.fr/politique/sommet-de-la-francophonie-a-djerba-emmanuel-macron-veut-relancer-lusage-du-francais-4148794 (accessed 05.12.2023).

11. Bordier A. La Francophonie en haut de l’affiche de la Déclaration de Djerba à l’issue de son 18è Sommet. Entreprendre, 22.11.2022. Available at: https://www.entreprendre.fr/la-francophonie-en-haut-de-laffiche-de-la-declaration-de-djerba-a-lissue-de-son-18e-sommet/ (accessed 05.12.2023).


SOURCES

1. Rapport au Parlement sur la langue française 2023. Ministère de la culture. Available at: https://www.culture.gouv.fr/Thematiques/Langue-francaise-et-langues-de-France/Actualites/Rapport-au-Parlement-sur-la-langue-francaise-nouvelle-formule (accessed 17.09.2023).

2. Rapport au Parlement sur l’emploi de la langue française, 2016. Délégation générale à la langue française et aux langues de France (DGLFLF). Vie publique, 16.10.2016. Available at: https://www.vie-publique.fr/rapport/36129-rapport-au-parlement-sur-lemploi-de-la-langue-francaise-2016 (accessed 17.09.2023).

3. PROGRAMME. En Marche! Le programme d’Emmanuel Macron. Élection Présidentielle, 23.04–07.05.2017. Available at: https://storage.googleapis.com/en-marche-fr/COMMUNICATION/Programme-Emmanuel-Macron.pdf (accessed 01.10.2023).

4. Measures for the development of French education abroad. France is in Russia. French Embassy in Russia, 21.04.2020. (In Russ.) Available at: https://ru.ambafrance.org/Mery-po-razvitiyu-francuzskogo-obrazovaniya-za-rubezhom (accessed 20.10.2023).

5. Le budget 2024 du ministère de l’Europe et des affaires étrangères: un budget en hausse de plus de 6 milliards d’euros. 12.10.2023. Le ministère de l’Europe et des Affaires étrangères. France Diplomatie. Available at: https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/le-ministere-et-son-reseau/missions-organisation/article/le-budget-2024-du-ministere-de-l-europe-et-des-affaires-etrangeres-un-budget-en (accessed 20.11.2023).

6. Observatoire de l’accueil des étudiants internationaux en France. Mai 2020. Available at: https://ressources.campusfrance.org/publications/observatoire/fr/Observatoire_accueil_etudiants_internationaux_fr.pdf (accessed 20.10.2023).

7. COVID-19: помощь Африке. Министерство Европы и иностранных дел. Дипломатия Франции, 05.05.2020.

COVID-19: Aid to Africa. The Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs. French diplomacy, 05.05.2020. (In Russ.) Available at: https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/ru/dobro-pozhalovat-vo-franciyu/chasto-zadavaemye-voprosy-o-covid-19-otvety-na-vashi-voprosy/coronavirus-declarations-officielles/article/covid-19-l-aide-a-l-afrique (accessed 20.10.2023).

8. Le sommet de la Francophonie se penche sur les crises politiques africaines. Agence France-Presse à Djerba. Le devoir, 20.11.2022. Available at: https://www.ledevoir.com/monde/771571/le-sommet-de-la-francophonie-se-penche-sur-les-crises-politiques-africaines (accessed 05.12.2023).

9. La francophonie ambitionne de jouer un “rôle accru” sur la scène international. Le Monde, 20.11.2022. Available at: https://www.lemonde.fr/international/article/2022/11/20/la-francophonie-ambitionne-de-jouer-un-role-accru-a-l-international_6150808_3210.html (accessed 05.12.2023).


For citation:
Strel'tsova Y. Francophonie: New Approaches of Emmanuel Macron. World Eсonomy and International Relations, 2024, vol. 68, no. 5, pp. 28-38. https://doi.org/10.20542/0131-2227-2024-68-5-28-38 EDN: KUCPGA



Comments (0)

No comments

Add comment







Indexed

 

 

 

 

Dear authors! Please note that in the VAK List of peer-reviewed scientific journals, in which the main scientific results of dissertations for the degree of candidate and doctor of sciences should be published for the “MEMO Journal” the following specialties are recorded:
economic sciences:
5.2.5. World Economy.
5.2.1. Economic Theory
5.2.3. Regional and Branch Economics
political sciences:
5.5.4. International Relations
5.5.1. History and Theory of Politics
5.5.2. Political Institutions, Processes, Technologies

 

Current Issue
2025, vol. 69, No. 4
Topical Themes of the Issue:
  • Entrenchment of Neo-Protectionism in Global Economy of 21st Century 
  • Institutional Dynamics of Fiscal Integration in the European Union
  • Factors of Latin American Countries’ Interest in BRICS
  • “China: Bitter Dish with Complex Garnish”
Announcement

Dear authors of the journal!

Please note that the author's copies of the issues in which your texts are published are kept in the editorial office for no more than one year. After this period expires, the editorial office has the right to dispose of unclaimed copies at its own discretion.

 

Submit an Article
INVITATION FOR PUBLICATION
The Editorial Board invites authors to write analytical articles on the following topics:
  • changes in the processes of globalization in modern conditions
  • formation of the new world order
  • shifts in civilization at the stage of transition to a digital society

The editors are also interested in publishing synthesis articles / scientific reviews revealing the main trends in the development of certain regions of the world - Latin America, Africa, South Asia, etc.