3438654145?profile=originalThe Bilingual Revolution is gaining momentum. Most recently, on March 20, 2015, the International Day of La Francophonie, The International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF) and Education en Français à New York (EFNY) launched the “Adopt a School” initiative. The initiative, which aims to support the spread of free, French bilingual education calls all of the Permanent Missions or Consulates of French-speaking countries to parrainer une école, sponsor a New York City public school that has a French-English dual language or serves French heritage language students. This will provide the school in question with anything from cultural and literary events to financial support and book donations.

 

E3438654341?profile=originalducation Attaché Fabrice Jaumont says of the support:

‘When a group of Ambassadors join forces to support French bilingual education in NYC schools it sends a strong message that French is well alive in the city, and that New York's 22,000 French-speaking children have strong supporters'

Picture: Ambassador Paul-Robert Tiendrebeogo, Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie, and Dr. Fabrice Jaumont

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This initiative is true to the mission of OIF, which is to promote the protection of linguistic and cultural diversity in all francophone regions. Their global initiatives certainly call for local partners like EFNY, which is a not-for-profit organization started and run by parent volunteers to promote French language education in NYC.

Picture: EFNY President, Talcott Camp receiving the Prix de la Diversite Culturelle from the hands of Ambassador Plasai, of Thailand, on March 20, 2015

 

The global support at a local level emphasizes the importance of global solidarity to the preservation of a heritage. According to the 2014 Report on the French language, there are about 274 million French speakers worldwide.

 

Through initiatives like these and the rampant support from various sectors, the child that was born in Brooklyn in 2007 with one classroom and 24 children rapidly evolves into a strong and influential adult. 

 

Click on the links below to download the Adopt a School press release

Press Release Adopt a School

Communique de presse Parrainer une ecole

 

 

 

 

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