The municipalities of Clare and Argyle have announced the appointment of the four executive members of the committee that will organize the next Congrès Mondial Acadien (CMA), which will be held in southwestern Nova Scotia in 2024. The positions are as follows:
• Chair: Allister Surette, president and vice-chancellor, Université Sainte-Anne
• Vice-chair (Clare): Natalie Robichaud, executive director, Société acadienne de Clare
• Vice-chair (Argyle): Christopher Frotten, chief administrative officer, Municipality of Barrington
• Secretary-treasurer: Nadine Comeau, financial services officer, Caisse Populaire de Clare.
All candidates were selected based on a number of criteria, such as gender equality and equal representation from both parts of the host region.
Chosen candidates were also expected to meet certain requirements based on their skills, expertise and experience in a variety of fields, such as government relations, economic development and leadership.
The executive members of the organizing committee have been appointed for a term beginning December 2019 and ending December 2024.
The committee is responsible for the good governance of the organization, including adopting budgets and auditing financial statements, as well as ensuring compliance with internal policies. In the upcoming months, the executive members will be responsible for filling the remaining eight positions on the organizing committee.
A selection committee will soon be hiring an executive director for the CMA 2024 organizing committee.
The seventh edition of the Congrès Mondial Acadien will take place in the municipalities of Clare and Argyle, also known as the Acadian region of southwest Nova Scotia, Aug. 10-18, 2024. It will mark the 20th anniversary since the CMA was last held in the province.
The CMA is an international gathering of Acadian culture that is held every five years. Its mission is to fortify the ties among Acadian communities around the world. The event also allows host municipalities to showcase their part of the world on an international scale through activities such as family reunions, conferences and celebrations.
The event, which is expected to attract up to 100,000 participants, will have a positive economic impact for the region and neighbouring communities, organizers say.
