24 May 2018 – BATHURST (GNB) – The Department of Education and Early Childhood Development is teaming up with the National Film Board of Canada and the Conférence des ministres de l’éducation des États et gouvernements de la Francophonie (conference of ministers of education of states and governments that are members of La Francophonie) to create the Raconte-moi ta francophonie (tell me about your Francophonie) international challenge.

“Our government understands that developing cultural and linguistic identity is important for young people, both for them personally and for New Brunswick,” said Education and Early Childhood Development Minister Brian Kenny. “This project arises from the implementation of the Linguistic and Cultural Development Policy and meets one of the objectives of the francophone sector’s 10-year education plan. It will promote the development of a feeling of belonging and pride in the language and French-speaking culture, while enabling our students to forge ties with young people in the other countries of the Francophonie.”

The project was launched at École secondaire Népisiguit in Bathurst.

The Raconte-moi ta francophonie international challenge invites students aged 13 to 17 from around the Francophonie to create digital stories about their language and culture.

“The National Film Board of Canada is pleased to be associated with the New Brunswick Department of Education and Early Childhood Development and the Conférence des ministres de l’éducation des États et gouvernements de la Francophonie so that youth from around the Francophonie can share their stories with us and make us aware of what sets them apart and what brings them together,” said Claude Joli-Coeur, government film commissioner and chair of the board. “As an essential resource for the Canadian education setting for nearly 80 years, the National Film Board continues to suggest new approaches such as the Raconte-moi ta francophonie challenge and to support young people in their media learning. We can hardly wait to discover all the richness and diversity of their stories. Good luck to all participants, and we extend our thanks to our partners.”

The digital stories are short personal tales about two minutes long, made up of photos, narration and music, and produced with accessible equipment – such as a cellphone – and common software.

The National Film Board will publish five digital stories from each of the member states of the conference on a web gallery. The stories must be related to the following categories: personalities, institutions, artworks, demonstrations/gatherings and traditions. The gallery can hold a total of 265 stories.

A learning module will be developed for the students. Each member country and state must select finalists in each category.

The challenge was announced in Bathurst during the 58th ministerial session of the Conférence des ministres de l’éducation des États et gouvernements de la Francophonie.

The focus of the conference is on early childhood development and access to fair and high-quality preschool education. The participants discussed, among other things, the education curriculum for preschoolers, the transition between preschool and elementary levels and skills to be acquired, and the governance and funding of the preschool sector.

The Conférence des ministres de l’éducation des États et gouvernements de la Francophonie (website in French only) involves 44 states and government members. It is a forum allowing members to promote education and professional and technical training. It also guides educational policies of members through the decisions and recommendations made at ministerial sessions, which are held every two years.

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