Activities to mark the 45th Francophonie Day in Cameroon this 20th March 2015 have kicked off in Yaounde.

Ahead of the day, the Francophonie week has been launched with numerous activities being organised by different organisations.

At the Ministry of the Environment and Nature Protection, a meeting was organised on youths, environmental challenges and climate change. The Ministry targeted the youth since there is a need for them to be educated on environmental issues so as to contribute to sustainable development.

It is worth emphasising that this year’s theme of the International Francophonie Day centres on the environment: “I have to love my planet.”

The International Francophonie Day, it should be recalled, celebrates the French language and Francophone culture.

Its origin dates back to 20th March 1970 when the Niamey Convention was signed in Niger, establishing the Agence de Cooperation Culturelle et Technique which later gave way to the present International Organisation of La Francophonie.