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PANEL ON YOUTH

Young People at the Centre of the Parents' Conference

We start by being a parent of a young child, then parent of a school-age child... but our commitment as a parent doesn't stop when our child gets to high school!

This year, the Fédération des parents francophones undertook a series of actions for parents of high school students. The topic was defined as a priority in the 2015-2020 strategic plan.

With that in mind, the Conseil jeunesse francophone de la C.-B. was identified as a privileged partner for the 2016 conference. Members of the board of directors of the Conseil jeunesse and members of the "Réseau jeunesse" (the Youth Network, which is the CSF student council at the provincial level) worked together to facilitate activities and take part in different aspects of the conference.
 
The conference schedule on Saturday opened with a panel in the form of an interactive event between parents and young people from different backgrounds in British Columbia. Parent representatives had the opportunity to ask questions about what they had always wanted to know but were afraid to ask regarding youth and the Francophone community in BC! 

 

 

Topics such as education in French, the construction of identity markers for BC Francophones, the future of BC's Francophone community, the role of transmission of French amongst young people, and retention in high school were discussed.

The interaction sparked very relevant speeches that captivated everyone in attendance! We share with you some of the answers to questions that these dynamic and committed young people were asked:

"It's when I had fun in French, and made Francophone friends, that I wanted to speak French. One needs to have a social life in French, not just speak French at home or school."      (Rachel)

"When you smile, people around you smile. That also works with French. When you speak French, others speak French around you. That's what I do at school with the younger students. It's natural, you don't need to force things."       (Greyden)

"Young people must find motivation and inspiration to speak French. So that they follow their hearts. For me (what motivates me), it's poetry in French!"     (Moussa)

"As a young Francophone, we hold the Francophone community like a badge of honour. It's what sets us apart from immersion (students)."     (Emily)

"It's sad to see that some Francophone parents put their child in a Francophone school, but don't speak French with them. My mother and grandmother have spoken in French to me since I was small. We listened to music and read in French. That's what I want to do with my kids later. These aren't difficult things to do. But as a Francophone parent, they have to be done! I want my children to be part of a community; to enjoy this language."      (Aléka)

"If we just focus on the academic (context) to transmit language, what happens when we finish school?"      (Rachel)

"French isn't just a language. I love Francophone music. If I had kids, I'd play Francophone music at home. Most young people who stay in (Francophone) high school are those who've had contact with French from a young age, and outside of school."      (Greyden)

In response to the question "What makes you stay in Francophone high school?", the young people fired reasons at us from all sides :

  • The activities -- the trips, the Francophone Youth Parliament, the Francophone Games...
  • The idea that it'll help me in the future.
  • The sports!
  • My friends stayed at the Francophone school, so I stayed too.
  • My music teacher is so enthusiastic. We have a great connection. It inspires me to stay at this school. 
  • It's easier to stay when you're having fun!
  • The social opportunities
  • The "Rencontres de la francophonie" activity (organized between Francophone schools that have a small secondary school program).
  • The International Baccalaureate program

As Greyden pointed out: "One should find a personal reason to speak French, to continue one’s studies in French, and to self-identify as a Francophone."

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Members of the Conseil jeunesse and the Youth Network present at the 2016 Fédération des parents Conference: 

  • From the Board of Directors -- Sophie Brassard, President; Rachel Delorme, Vice-President; Louis Roux, Treasurer; Noah Rondeau, representative for ages 19-25; Sarah Boukhouali, representative for ages 14-18;
  • From the Youth Network -- Aléka Zamora, representative of l’école NDSS (Nanaimo); Ashton Ramsay, representative of l’école Gabrielle-Roy (Surrey); Alexandra Stringer-Holden, representative of l’école Chatelech (Sechelt); Grace Hoyek, representative of l’école des Pionniers-de-Maillardville (Port Coquitlam); Emily Deering, representative of l’école Carihi (Campbell River); Greydon Girouard, representative of l’école de l'Anse-au-sable (Kelowna); Moussa Niang, representative of l’école Victor-Brodeur (Victoria)..

*This article is based in part on an article (in French) published in the December 2016 edition of the newsletter of the Conseil jeunesse francophone de la Colombie-Britannique.