Celebrating Francophonie

CASE STUDY

Context: As a member of a training team in a human services organization, I developed a presentation titled “Celebrating Francophonie: A Cultural Journey” as part of a broader cultural awareness training series. At the time, the organization had begun hiring a growing number of New Mainers—primarily recent arrivals from French-speaking African countries—as well as maintaining a workforce that included many employees of French Canadian descent. The goal of the series was to support team cohesion, foster cross-cultural understanding, and create a more inclusive work environment. 

Challenges: The organization’s staff came from a variety of linguistic and cultural backgrounds. While this diversity was an asset, there was limited understanding of the cultural and linguistic heritage of French-speaking colleagues. Some training participants had little prior exposure to Francophone cultures outside of France, and there was a risk of cultural miscommunication or unintentional bias. 

Solutions: I designed and delivered an engaging, interactive presentation that explored the global scope of La Francophonie, highlighted its cultural richness, and explained the regional variations of the French language. The presentation included multimedia elements such as audio clips, real-world examples, and reflective questions to encourage audience participation. I also included practical discussion prompts to connect the content to participants’ daily work and team dynamics. 

Results: The presentation sparked meaningful conversations about language, identity, and workplace inclusion. Participants reported greater appreciation for the cultural backgrounds of their French-speaking colleagues and expressed interest in learning more. Notably, about 25% of participants enrolled in French language classes following the training, demonstrating cultural engagement and interest in ongoing learning. This module supported broader organizational goals around diversity, equity, and inclusion, and led to the integration of similar culturally responsive content into future training sessions.