OTTAWA, ON – March 20, 2019 – Every March 20th provides an opportunity for Canadian communities to celebrate the French language, history and cultures. Join Canadian Parents for French as we celebrate la Journée internationale de la Francophonie and take part in the 21st edition of les Rendez-vous de la francophonie.
This year, CANADIAN PARENTS FOR FRENCH is highlighting the 50th anniversary of the Official Languages Act in 2019, and with this milestone, the importance of the official languages of our country, the strength of those who speak them and their resolve to anchor bilingualism in the fundamental values of our society. Linguistic duality is at the heart of Canadian Confederation, signaling the commitment of English and French speaking Canadians to work together to make our country thrive.
Many studies show that parental involvement facilitates student success. Anglophone parents seek to support a stimulating linguistic environment and support French as a Second Language (FSL) learning with cultural enrichment activities for their children. CPF encourages Francophile parents and FSL learners to participate in local, regional and national events taking place during les Rendez-vous all across Canada. It is an opportune time to recognize the importance of FSL education within Canada, to interact with native French speakers and to fully enjoy the benefits of learning French. The ability to communicate in more than one language fosters creative, empathetic and adaptive people who access far-reaching opportunities and enhance the social and economic prosperity of our country.
La Journée Internationale de la Francophonie marks the signing of the Niamey Convention in Niger on March 20th, 1970, establishing the agency that now promotes events taking place in eighty countries around the world where French is spoken.
To learn more about events taking place on March 20th in Canada, visit www.rvf.ca, and around the world, visit OIF’s website: https://www.20mars.francophonie.org/.
For further information:
Lee-Anne Lavell
(613) 235-1481 x 222
llavell@cpf.ca
Canadian Parents for French is a nationwide, research-informed, volunteer organization that promotes and creates opportunities to learn and use French for all those who call Canada home.