Visual credit: Courtesy – UOttawa
Article written by Dawson Couture — Journalist
Tuesday, January 18, theCanadian Association for French Language Education (ACELF) held a roundtable to celebrate its 75th anniversary. On this occasion, the doctoral candidate in history at the University of Ottawa (U of O), Danika Gourgon was able to reveal his exhibition entitled “L’ACELF, 75 ans à la promotion de l’éducation en français (1947-2022)” in front of a range of distinguished panelists and the public.
Nathalie Bélanger, full professor at the Faculty of Education and holder of a Research Chair in Education and Francophonie at the U of O, was invited by the Center for Research in French-Canadian Civilization (CRCCF) to chair the discussion earlier this week. Despite her strong relationship with the Francophone association over the years, she admits to having learned a great deal about the considerable legacy of ACELF, which is still very much present today.
A diverse round table
The round table brought together several academic scholars under the same virtual roof. The President of the ACELF, Marcel Larocque, was there, as well as the full professor at the Faculty of Education and vice-dean for research, graduate studies and international affairs at Université Laval, Annie Pilot. University of Toronto Curriculum, Teaching and Learning Emeritus Professor Diane Gérin-Lajoie and Gourgon were also present.
During the two rounds of discussion, as well as a question and answer period, the panelists were able to pay tribute to this association which they consider to have contributed so much to the Francophonie in Canada. They discussed a variety of topics, including the resilience and adaptability of ACELF over its history. The various activities she has undertaken to improve the situation of Francophone teachers and students in a minority setting were also a topic of conversation.
To conclude the meeting, Gourgon presented the virtual version of his exhibition displayed at the CRCCF. The exhibition at the CRCCF is divided into fourteen sections, each highlighting a component of the organization’s history. In partnership with the ACELF, the U of O and the CRCCF, the objective of the exhibition was to communicate the role of the ACELF in the “development of a conception of French-language education as a tool of identity building, social emancipation and cultural progress,” says Gourgon.
ACELF, “a long-term association”
The panelists reminded the audience that, since its inauguration in 1947, associations have played an essential role in the promotion and defense of the French language in educational settings in Canada. As Gourgon points out, as a network of expert advice for educational personnel, ACELF has placed itself at the center of the process of building Franco-Canadian identity by bringing its communities together through education.
The theme of flexibility came up several times during the roundtable. The panelists affirm in particular that the ACELF is one of the only French-language institutions to have been able to navigate the various socio-cultural transformations of the last decade. This was possible, according to Bélanger, thanks to the adaptation of its mandate to reflect the major debates and the various needs within the Canadian Francophonie.
Nevertheless, the main contribution of ACELF mentioned during the meeting was its continued commitment to consultation. Because of the enormous diversity in the Francophonie in Canada, Gérin-Lajoie suggests that Francophone education has required a national collaborative structure. This made it possible not only to approach the levels of government with one voice, but also to become aware of the distinct realities and concerns of the Francophone communities.
Its role was all the more crucial for marginalized communities, as is the case for Franco-Ontarians. “In education, associations are essential in a minority setting,” confirms Bélanger.
ACELF and the future of French
For Bélanger, the great concern of the ACELF, namely that of trying to mobilize a new generation of young researchers in the field of the history of Francophone education, was highlighted during the table round. The donation of a significant part of his archive collection, stripped by Gourgon, to the U of O is proof of this.
Gourgon hopes that visitors will draw from their physical or virtual tour “the historical and contemporary contribution of ACELF to the development and promotion of French culture and language in Canada”. Above all, she hopes that her contribution to bringing together the country’s Francophone communities in the sphere of education in French will shine.
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