Thirty-one residents of Plomelin returned a few days ago from their trip to Germany. They were welcomed by the residents of Betziesdorf, a neighborhood of Kirchhain in Germany, to mark the 60th anniversary of the town’s twinning with the village in Finistère.

Sometimes all it takes is a simple cell phone to break down barriers that were once thought insurmountable. In the markets, neighborhood restaurants, kiosks, and fruit stands of Ouagadougou, a quiet revolution is underway. It makes no noise, but it is profoundly transforming the daily lives of thousands of women. This revolution is called financial inclusion. For a long time, running a business meant keeping the day’s takings in a scrap of fabric or a flimsy wallet, scrambling for change, crossing town to pay a supplier, or even turning down a sale because of a lack of change. Today, a simple Orange Money payment is all it takes to secure income, pay a business partner remotely, or grow a business without ever leaving one’s shop. Beyond the technology, a new form of economic freedom is gradually taking hold.

The Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie (AUF), represented by its Rector, Prof. Slim Khalbous, and the AUF Regional Director for the Americas, Antoine Rauzy, participated in the 36th anniversary celebration of Bernardo O’Higgins University (UBO). The event was held from August 19 to 21, 2026, in Santiago, Chile.

The Kong Social Center has established monitoring committees in the towns of Konieré, Mapina, Sidana, and Digakoro to strengthen efforts to prevent and combat gender-based violence (GBV).

Ourika Municipality (Al Haouz Province) - Located in the Ourika Valley, 38 km from Marrakech, “Café 38 Concept” is a striking example of the National Initiative for Human Development’s (INDH) ongoing commitment to women’s economic empowerment.

Bringing together the children of Villette-lès-Dole and those of Thukima (Nepal) through a four-year linguistic and cultural exchange: that’s the daring challenge of a trip planned for 2030.

On Saturday, the “Green Sédhiou” association, in partnership with the NGO Solthis and the Climate Resilience through Agroecology and Clean Energy program, presented women’s groups in the Moricounda neighborhood of the municipality of Sédhiou (in the south) with a set of equipment designed to support the fight against climate change.

The National Council of Employers of Togo (CNP-Togo), with support from the Mastercard Foundation, is launching an initiative offering 500 12-month internship contracts as part of the “TALENT2AFRICA – Mastercard Foundation” program. The program aims to help young people enter the workforce and is intended to serve as a new tool for addressing the private sector’s skills needs.

From August 21 to 22, the Univ 2.0 association organized a training workshop in Brazzaville on the topic “Artificial Intelligence, Research, and Scientific Production,” under the patronage of the president of Marien-Ngouabi University, Prof. Parisse Akouango.

On August 6, 2026, a new official sister-city agreement was signed between Vire Normandie (Calvados) and the Mexican city of Atlacomulco. The relationship between the two cities began in 1979 but had been dormant for many years.

From August 11 to 16, 2026, the Souleuvre-en-Bocage Sister City Committee hosted a 14-person delegation from Krzywin, Poland.

On the occasion of the meetings of the Parliamentary Assembly of La Francophonie and the Francophone Youth Parliament in Yaoundé, the AUF Regional Directorate – Central Africa and the Great Lakes – was fully engaged in engaging with the young delegates and promoting synergies among young people, the academic community, and policymakers.

The Swiss are among the most physically active people in Europe. According to a study released Tuesday, more than half of the Swiss population is very physically active. Outdoor sports are very popular.

From August 21 to 30, 2026, the city of Nikki will host the 14th edition of the Borgou Regional Economic Fair. This event aims to combine economic opportunities with the promotion of local expertise and the celebration of cultural heritage.

To mark World Humanitarian Day, celebrated every August 19, the humanitarian community in Burkina Faso, in collaboration with the Ministry of Solidarity, organized a reforestation day at the Tanghin vegetable farm. The initiative resulted in the planting of 120 fruit and medicinal plants. Beyond its environmental impact, this activity is intended as a symbol of solidarity and resilience in the face of the many challenges confronting local communities.

The decision to strengthen ties between Dakar and Jakarta was reached following an official meeting between officials from the two cities. On Tuesday, August 18, 2026, Dakar Mayor Abass Fall welcomed Ardian Wicaksono, the Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia to Senegal, at City Hall.

Jewelry, keychains, tic-tac-toe sets, or stylized animals: the volunteers at Fabrik les 3 Rivières have shown no shortage of imagination in their efforts to support the Anim’Toit animal shelter. The organization has created a whole range of handmade items—laser-cut from wood, engraved on slate, or 3D-printed—all featuring animal designs.

The University of Technology of Haiti (UNITECH) has just announced the creation of its first laboratory dedicated to cybersecurity and artificial intelligence. This initiative aims to develop research, training, and collaboration in fields related to digital advancements.

With just a few weeks to go before the start of the new apprenticeship year, the Minister of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises and Employment Promotion, who is responsible for vocational training, wants to give new impetus to the Vocational Training and Apprenticeship Centers (#CFPA). Gathered for the first time at the initiative of a minister, the centers’ directors discussed the challenges they face and proposed solutions to attract more young people to the trades. Several innovations are expected to be implemented as early as the start of the next school year.

Twelve young people from Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon spent two weeks in Clisson and participated in volunteer projects with Animaje as part of a partnership between the two organizations.