May 8, 2015) – The annual symposium on Ontario’s Language Planning Policy (Politique d’aménagement linguistique) for French-language postsecondary education and training wrapped up today at Laurentian University. The fourth annual event focussed on partnerships and collaborations and was organized by Laurentian University’s Office of Francophone Affairs.
For this two-day symposium, more than 80 participants came together in Sudbury, including representatives of the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities, professors, students, Francophone school board administrators as well as officers of the province’s Francophone and bilingual postsecondary institutions.
“I would like to take a moment to acknowledge the key role that Laurentian University plays in the North,” said the Honorable Reza Moridi, Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities, during his opening remarks. Among other recent accomplishments, it is worth mentioning that Laurentian University became on July 1st, 2014, the first bilingual university to receive partial designation under the French-Language Services Act.
Laurentian University’s president and vice-chancellor, Dominic Giroux, congratulated the numerous symposium participants. “The connections we make today only strengthen our commitment to the Francophone community. Because of your participation and an exchange of best practices, Ontario’s Francophonie continues to shine with the support of its pillars in the education sector.”
Five conferences were given during the event. In addition, during round table discussions preceded by preparatory work, participants were asked to reflect on three themes, namely identity hybridity and French-language education, academic competence and linguistic competence, and cultural diversity and Francophone identity in Ontario schools.
More information on the symposium is posted at: www.symposiumpal2015.com