Union des Français de l'Etranger
Encyclopedia
The Union des Français de l'Etranger (French Foreign Union), or UFE, is a French
organization with branches in more than 100 countries around the world in major world cities including New York City
, Los Angeles
, Chicago
and Washington, D.C.
where there is a significant French or Francophone
population. It was founded in 1927 and is the oldest association representing French expatriates and is recognised as a public utility. UFE is a majority member of the Assemblée des Français de l'étranger (Association of French expatriates), and comprises nine senators of the political group Union pour un mouvement populaire (Union for a peoples' movement).
in 1983 by Jean-Luc Malherbe and Josette Villavaryan-Bardon. It aims to defend the interests of French citizens who live in the region of the national capital of Canada, the Ontario agglomeration of Ottawa
and the Gatineau
side of Quebec
.
It is difficult to estimate accurately the number of French citizens living in the region, but based on the lists of registrations at the French consulate in Toronto, it is estimated that about 5,000 live in the region. The French embassy in Ottawa continues to provide essential services to the residents of the region since its consular services were closed on 1 July 2005.
The association groups the French community and organises friendly meals and méchoui (North African style barbecue of spit-roast whole lamb over a charcoal pit), wine and cheese parties, and opportunities to meet French political personalities passing through the region. It maintains links with French organisations in Canada (embassies, consulates) and in France. It collaborates with Jacques Janson, the representative of the Centre and the West of Canada, to convey and resolve files which have been submitted to them by French citizens in the region.
The presidency has been held since 1997 by Christian Lohyer.
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
organization with branches in more than 100 countries around the world in major world cities including New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
and Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
where there is a significant French or Francophone
Francophone
The adjective francophone means French-speaking, typically as primary language, whether referring to individuals, groups, or places. Often, the word is used as a noun to describe a natively French-speaking person....
population. It was founded in 1927 and is the oldest association representing French expatriates and is recognised as a public utility. UFE is a majority member of the Assemblée des Français de l'étranger (Association of French expatriates), and comprises nine senators of the political group Union pour un mouvement populaire (Union for a peoples' movement).
Canadian branch
One of the biggest branches of Union des Français de l'étranger was founded in CanadaCanada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
in 1983 by Jean-Luc Malherbe and Josette Villavaryan-Bardon. It aims to defend the interests of French citizens who live in the region of the national capital of Canada, the Ontario agglomeration of Ottawa
Ottawa
Ottawa is the capital of Canada, the second largest city in the Province of Ontario, and the fourth largest city in the country. The city is located on the south bank of the Ottawa River in the eastern portion of Southern Ontario...
and the Gatineau
Gatineau
Gatineau is a city in western Quebec, Canada. It is the fourth largest city in the province. It is located on the northern banks of the Ottawa River, immediately across from Ottawa, Ontario, and together they form Canada's National Capital Region. Ottawa and Gatineau comprise a single Census...
side of Quebec
Quebec
Quebec or is a province in east-central Canada. It is the only Canadian province with a predominantly French-speaking population and the only one whose sole official language is French at the provincial level....
.
It is difficult to estimate accurately the number of French citizens living in the region, but based on the lists of registrations at the French consulate in Toronto, it is estimated that about 5,000 live in the region. The French embassy in Ottawa continues to provide essential services to the residents of the region since its consular services were closed on 1 July 2005.
The association groups the French community and organises friendly meals and méchoui (North African style barbecue of spit-roast whole lamb over a charcoal pit), wine and cheese parties, and opportunities to meet French political personalities passing through the region. It maintains links with French organisations in Canada (embassies, consulates) and in France. It collaborates with Jacques Janson, the representative of the Centre and the West of Canada, to convey and resolve files which have been submitted to them by French citizens in the region.
The presidency has been held since 1997 by Christian Lohyer.