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Experience McGill in French met the new Commissioner for Francophone Affairs (CAF) of the Student Association of McGill University (AÉUM). She tells us about her mandate but also about her key projects for the coming year.
Why did you decide to run as Commissioner for Francophone Affairs of the McGill University student association?
I wanted to get involved in student community life, and having lived in various French-speaking communities (in France, Switzerland and Quebec), the role of Commissioner for French-speaking Affairs immediately attracted me!
Could you describe your mandate to us in a few words?
As Commissioner for Francophone Affairs of the AÉUM, I chair the Commission for Francophone Affairs (CAF) which brings together all the French-speaking groups who wish to participate. The CAF aims in particular to support the French-speaking student community and to promote the diversity of the French-speaking world on campus.
What are the priority files for the year 2024-2025?
One of the biggest projects this year was the writing of the AÉUM’s French-speaking affairs policy, which is the first AÉUM policy entirely written in French to be adopted! This success will allow us to promote CAF and its members, and to undertake projects like “Les Pipelettes”: a project for inter-university meetings and exchanges in French!
Which one is particularly close to your heart and why?
The most important thing for me this year is to allow French-speaking groups to exchange and collaborate with each other in order to increase their visibility among the French-speaking student community.
Can you tell us about the projects and initiatives underway at the moment for the French fact?
This year I have the chance to work with many French-speaking groups (and the list continues to grow!), such as the student newspaper Le Délit, the poetry collective La Collation, the literary magazine Lieu Commun, the Club de French-speaking debate, the Association of French Students of McGill, the medical student association Clinical French Cluband the Association of Law Students. CAF meetings allow these groups to meet and offer them the opportunity to collaborate on common projects.
Are they aimed only at French speakers or also at Francophiles and how?
The CAF aims not only to support the French-speaking community and defend its rights, but also to promote the French-speaking world, by supporting initiatives that encourage the learning of French, for example.
What type of questions or requests do you receive from association members?
Most groups or members of the French-speaking student community contact me to find out about activities or groups dedicated to the French-speaking world available on campus, but also for grant requests for projects related to the French-speaking world.
What would be your biggest wish for the coming year?
One of CAF’s big challenges for this year is the creation of a contribution that would ensure the longevity of its projects!
If you have any questions or requests for the CAF, you can contact the Commissioner by email at [email protected].
**What are the greatest opportunities and challenges in ensuring that the French language and Francophone culture remain vibrant and thriving within a predominantly English-speaking environment like McGill University?**
## Interview on Fostering Francophone Life at McGill
**Guests:**
* **Maela**, Commissioner for Francophone Affairs (CAF) at the Student Association of McGill University (AÉUM)
* **Professor Jean Dubois**, Expert in Bilingualism and Francophone Culture at McGill University
**Moderator:** Welcome to World Today News. Today we have the pleasure of discussing the vibrant Francophone community at McGill University with two esteemed guests: Maela, the newly appointed Commissioner for Francophone Affairs, and Professor Jean Dubois, an expert in bilingualism and Francophone culture here at McGill. Maela, let’s start with your personal journey. What inspired you to take on this crucial role?
**[Section 1: Personal Motivation and Mandate]**
* Maela, you mentioned your diverse background in Francophone communities. How has this experience shaped your vision for the CAF and your understanding of the needs of Francophone students at McGill?
* What does your mandate as Commissioner for Francophone Affairs entail, and what do you see as the most pressing challenges facing the French-speaking student community?
**[Section 2: CAF Initiatives and Impact]**
* Maela, the article highlights several exciting CAF projects, including the new French-speaking affairs policy and “Les Pipelettes.” Could you delve deeper into these initiatives, explaining their goals and potential impact on the McGill community?
* Professor Dubois, what is your perspective on the importance of these initiatives in fostering a sense of belonging and inclusion for French-speaking students within a predominantly English-speaking university environment?
**[Section 3: Collaboration and Outreach]**
* Maela, the article emphasizes your focus on collaboration between different French-speaking groups at McGill. Could you elaborate on the significance of these collaborations and how they contribute to the overall goals of the CAF?
* Professor Dubois, from your experience, how can universities effectively promote cross-cultural understanding and appreciation through initiatives like those spearheaded by the CAF?
**[Section 4: Future Aspirations and Sustainability]**
* Maela, looking ahead, what are your biggest aspirations for the CAF in the coming year?
* What steps can be taken to ensure the long-term sustainability of the CAF and its initiatives, particularly in terms of securing funding and resources?
* Professor Dubois, what advice would you offer to Maela and the CAF based on your expertise in bilingualism and Francophone culture?
**Moderator**: This has been a fascinating discussion, shedding light on the valuable work being done by the CAF to strengthen the Francophone presence at McGill. Maela and Professor Dubois, thank you for your insightful contributions.
