I can answer that question. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to say something more on the subject. My colleague René talked about it, it was at the heart of our presentation. Basically, the crux of what we want to convey to you is that the Société nationale de l'Acadie is the guarantor of an event which is crucial for our people, and the event is the World Acadian Congress.
That congress takes place every five years. For the Acadian people, the Acadian nation, it is an opportunity for dialogue. It is also an opportunity to reflect on the road we have travelled, to determine where we are and what we want to do. It is a key time in fostering and developing a feeling of belonging to our community, both in Acadia and in Canada. Those are the three elements behind our 2017 presentation. That is how we would like to take part in the 2017 celebrations as one of Canada's founding peoples.
My colleague will surely agree with me when I say that, when Acadia is present, when Acadia has a strong presence provincially, nationally and internationally, it provides a reflection of Canada in which linguistic duality is understood and strengthened. If Acadia is allowed to take an important place in the 2017 celebrations, it is for us a recognition of the place that Acadia occupies in the Canada of today and has occupied throughout the history of Canadian Confederation and of the arrival of the first settlers to the land. You mentioned New France and the date 1608. There is also Acadia and the date 1604. The history of Acadia goes hand in hand with the history of Canada. For us, the 2017 celebrations are an opportunity to reflect on the place we have in this Canada and on the way in which we can strengthen the Acadian identity. Ultimately, that will strengthen Canadian unity and the bond, not only between our French-speaking communities, but also with the English-speaking communities with whom we share our lands in the Atlantic provinces.