OTTAWA, Friday, July 13, 2001 — To mark the beginning of the IVth Games of La Francophonie, the University of Ottawa awarded an honorary doctorate to His Excellency Boutros Boutros-Ghali, Secretary General of the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie. The honorary degree was presented by University Chancellor Huguette Labelle.
A diplomat, jurist, scholar and widely published author, Boutros-Ghali has led a long and respected career in international affairs. Born in Egypt in 1922, he received a PhD in international law from Université de Paris in 1949. The same year, he was named professor at the University of Cairo, where he remained until 1977. From 1977 to 1991, he served as Egypt's Minister of State, then as Deputy Prime Minister for Foreign Affairs. He became Secretary-General of the United Nations in 1992, and has been Secretary-General of La Francophonie since 1997.
For the next two weeks, the University of Ottawa will beat to the rythm of the Games. Over 2,000 athletes and artists from 33 countries have moved onto the University campus, known for the occasion as the CMHC FrancoSphere. Housing is provided in student residences and participants have access to the new sports complex, medical clinic, food services and recreational facilities. Opening-round games games in football (soccer) will be played on the new turf at the sports complex. As a major partner of the Games, the University of Ottawa is also the main sponsor of the traditional dance competition, to be held at the Canadian Museum of Civilization.