The members of the Union of French Abroad (UFE) in Benin met on Friday April 7, 2023 for a cocktail at Novotel Cotonou Orisha. It was an opportunity for the president of UFE Benin, Béatrice Adelaïde de Beaubrun to take stock of the 2023 UFE World General Assembly and to present the program of the next events to the members.
Moment of exchange and conviviality between the members of the Union of French Abroad (UFE) of Benin. It is a public utility association that brings together French expatriates, Francophones and Francophiles. According to the president of the Beninese representation of the UFE, Béatrice Adelaïde de Beaubrun, the association has been present in Benin for almost 30 years. “She was settled in Benin with the arrival of the first expatriates. (…) Today, we are faced with a much more conscious and less humanitarian expatriation of the French. (..) We are more regarding building the economic fabric of Benin and partnerships with the Beninese state and Beninese companies,” she said.
The president of the UFE of Benin took part in the 89th general assembly of the UFE World held on March 25 in Paris. This assembly saw the election of Alain-Pierre Mignon as the new president of the UFE. He succeeds François Barry Delongchamps. The outgoing and incoming presidents, informs Béatrice, greet you and congratulate you. “They noted a good dynamic from Benin. (…) I was very proud and very happy to know that Benin is not an ignored country on the map”, she rejoiced.
A program that lives up to expectations
Elected president of UFE Benin in December 2022, Béatrice Adelaïde de Beaubrun is working with her team to revitalize the association and meet the needs of the French community. An online survey makes it possible to offer members an innovative program that meets their expectations. “The program is more oriented towards expectations of development of entrepreneurship, cooperation and partnership with companies and then obviously moments of conviviality”, announced Béatrice.
UFE Benin is planning, among other things, an exchange session with the European Chamber of Commerce of Benin (Euroham) on May 16 to allow its members to better understand the activities of the institution. For Edwige Bibilary, Eurocham delegate in Benin, “new partnerships always create something positive”.
UFE also supports the Association Française d’Entraide du Benin (AFED) in its activities. AFED helps French people in difficulty in Benin. “We also try to carry out activities in partnership with the two associations of French people living abroad (UFE and French people from around the world). One of our events will take place on Saturday April 15 in Ouidah”, indicated Jean-Michel Bouchez, treasurer of the AFEB.
According to Béatrice Adelaïde de Beaubrun, the members of the UFE will also have the opportunity to accompany several events including the 50th edition of the World Petanque Championship which will take place in Benin in a few months. “We will have the pleasure of welcoming and being alongside our French team,” she said.
After welcoming the new members, the president of the UFE did not fail to send a message to all the French people who are in Benin. “Know that with the UFE, no Frenchman is alone. We are here for you. Whatever your concern, come see us and we will be able to answer you, ”assured Béatrice.
Ayosso Akpédjé
The essentials to know regarding UFE
Founded in 1927 by Gabriel Wernlé, the Union des Français à l’Etranger provides its members with a privileged link with France, defends their interests and provides them with daily support and assistance. The UFE is present in more than 170 representations animated by volunteers in a hundred countries. Welcoming, mutual aid, conviviality and influence are the four essential values of the association. The UFE intervenes in various fields: law, social protection, health, education, taxation or even security. The UFE card gives members a large number of privileges.
Some pictures of the event
www.24haubenin.bj; real-time information
April 8, 2023 by Akpédjé Ayosso,
Ignace B. Fanou