The Secretary-General of the National Commission of the Francophony (CNF), Bernise N’Guessan, has urged students of the Lycée Classique d’Abidjan to commit to peace during a meeting held on Monday, May 4, 2026, in the presence of several education stakeholders.
La Francophonie refers to the international community of French-speaking countries and governments, as well as institutions that promote the French language, cultural diversity, cooperation, and shared values such as peace, democracy, and human rights.
Among the notable participants were Professor Simplice Dion, Vice-President of the Université Félix Houphouët-Boigny in Cocody, who delivered the inaugural lecture, as well as the school principal, Foungnigué Mamadou Coulibaly.
This initiative is part of a series of activities launched to mark the 2026 International Day of La Francophonie, held under the theme: “Generation Peace: Youth Contributions for a More Peaceful World,” in line with the orientations of the International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF).
Following the Abidjan Classic High School stage, activities will continue at Bouaké City Hall on May 6, and then at the Lycée Sainte-Marie in Cocody on May 8, 2026.
These meetings aim to highlight the contributions of young people to peacebuilding while strengthening a culture of civic engagement in schools, universities, and communities. They also encourage responsible behavior based on tolerance, dialogue, and solidarity.
Addressing the students, Bernise N’Guessan emphasized their central role: “You are the Generation Peace. Peace begins with you—in your words, your choices, and your daily commitments. It is built when you choose dialogue over violence, tolerance over rejection, and solidarity over indifference.”
Delivering the inaugural lecture, Professor Simplice Dion defined peace as inseparable from justice and good governance. He identified three key pillars for its construction: speech, artistic creation, and civic engagement. “You are not just anyone; do not do just anything. You are from Côte d’Ivoire, children of peace,” he urged.
The meeting continued with an interactive panel led by young professionals who assessed the state of peace in the world and discussed ways to strengthen youth engagement, particularly through responsible use of social media.
Through these initiatives, the National Commission of the Francophony aims to foster a committed youth, aware of its role and resolutely focused on promoting coexistence and peace.