38th FLAREP conference: working to improve West Flemish practice and learning – Hauts-de-France Region

As the Department is proud of its culture and intends to protect and promote it, it will host the 38th conference of the FLAREP – Alliance for Regional Languages ​​in Public Education. This federation brings together the main associations or federations of parents and/or teachers who work to develop regional languages ​​in the public education service. Hauts-de-France is proud of its regional languages, Picard and West Flemish, and intends to preserve this cultural heritage.

The last day of the conference will be held in the district headquarters hemicycle. This event takes full importance at a time when the Department wants to create a West Flemish Public Office Public Interest Group to improve its practice and learning in Hauts-de-France.

But what is West Flemish?

West Flemish is used by about 60,000 people in the north of France, especially in the Dunkirk area, in the Nord department. West Flemish is also spoken in Belgium and the western part of the Netherlands. Along with Picard, it is one of the regional languages ​​that the Regional Council and its various partners intend to promote.

October 21, prime time for West Flemish

FLAREP – Federation of Regional Languages ​​in Public Education – was born in November 1987. It brings together the main associations or federations of parents of students and/or teachers who work for the development of regional languages ​​in the public service of education . It receives a subsidy from the Ministry of National Education and receives support in particular from the General Will for the French Language and the French Languages. It is a link between schools, the Administration and parents, who organize a conference every year.

The last day of the 2024 conference will be held in the building of the regional institution, after the first day in Steenvoorde (59) on October 19, and the second day in Esquelbecq (59), on October 20. The work will focus on the teaching of regional languages ​​in school and also on language policy tools with support from institutions including the State and the Department. It will be invited: representatives of the Ministry of Education and National Culture, the President of the Region and the Vice-President François Decoster, the relevant local and regional elected officials, presidents of municipal communities, etc. .

“Our Region is rich in its two regional languages: Flemish a breeze and the picard. It has supported the Flemish Regional Language Institute since 2004 and the Picardy Regional Language Group since 2009. With these interurbans, the Northern Divisionthe Ministry of National Education and Youth and the Ministry of Culture and the Flemish Language Institute, we are preparing to create a Public Office for West Flemish”, said François Decoster.

Towards the creation of a West Flemish Public Office Public Interest Group

The process was launched again in 2023. To date, there are 4 public regional language offices: for Catalan, Basque, Breton and Occitan. A Public Office is being created for Alsatian and Moselan.

The office focuses on the development of the West Flemish language in its area by working to increase its use and especially its teaching, to improve the number of active speakers, especially among young people. The cultural aspect will be included in activities to create, spread and promote the language. What will the goals be? The Group’s missions are:

• To participate in the design, definition and implementation of a public and joint language policy in favor of West Flemish in particular in conjunction with the Ministry of National Education and Youth, the Ministry of Higher Education and Research and New -customs, and the Ministry of Culture, and regional representatives.
• Support specific cultural activities that promote the spread of the language, and promote heritage.
• Promote the spread and use of West Flemish in the daily life and professional careers of the area’s residents.
• Contribute to the development of research programs or scientific projects.
• Activate the financial resources necessary to carry out the activities selected as part of its own program of activities.

A conference to put this project on the table to promote our cultural heritage and give it to the younger generations: a topic that is more important than ever for the Department!