Agence de Coopération Culturelle et Technique facts for kids
The Agence de coopération culturelle et technique (ACCT), which means Agency of cultural and technical cooperation in French, was an important organization created on March 20, 1970. It was started by representatives from 21 different countries and governments. Some of the key leaders who helped create it were Léopold Sédar Senghor from Senegal, Habib Bourguiba from Tunisia, Hamani Diori from Niger, and Prince Norodom Sihanouk from Cambodia.
The ACCT was formed to help countries that share the French language and culture work together. It focused on cultural exchange, education, and technical cooperation. This means they helped each other with things like sharing art, improving schools, and developing new technologies.
Founding Members and Purpose
When the ACCT first began, its members included countries like Belgium, Benin, Burundi, Cambodia, Canada, Ivory Coast, France, Gabon, Upper Volta (now Burkina Faso), Luxembourg, Madagascar, Mali, Mauritius, Monaco, Niger, Rwanda, Senegal, Chad, Togo, Tunisia, and South Vietnam.
The main goal of the ACCT was to promote the French language and culture around the world. It also aimed to encourage cooperation and understanding between its member countries. This organization was a very important step towards creating what we know today as the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie.
Leadership and Legacy
A Canadian named Jean-Louis Roy served as the only secretary-general of the ACCT. He held this leadership role from 1989 until 1997. During his time, the organization continued its work in cultural and technical cooperation.
The ACCT eventually transformed into the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie, which is a much larger and more widely recognized international organization today. The Francophonie continues the mission of promoting the French language and values, and fostering cooperation among its many member states and governments.
See also
- Francophonie
- French language
References
