French for the Future held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) on September 21, bringing together members of its Board of Directors and staff to review the 2025–2026 year, reflect on the organization’s results, and discuss the next steps in its mission.
The meeting marked a particularly significant milestone for French for the Future. After 29 years dedicated to bringing French to life for Canadian youth, the organization is now preparing to enter its 30th year of activities, with a renewed commitment to creating opportunities for young people to practise their French, build their linguistic confidence, and connect with Francophone and Francophile communities across the country.
The AGM also provided an opportunity to confirm continuity in the leadership of the Board of Directors. Ania Kolodziej continues her term as President, while Marie-Pierre Lavoie has renewed her term as Vice-President.
After seven years of service on the Board of Directors, Charles Ashikwé has completed his term. Over the years, he held several positions, including Treasurer. French for the Future extends its sincere thanks to him for his dedication, expertise, and contributions to the organization’s growth.
The meeting also provided an opportunity for Board members and staff to engage in constructive discussions about how to continue developing French for the Future’s initiatives and strengthen its impact on youth. Lisa Balfour Bowen, co-founder of French for the Future, was also present to share this moment with the staff and Board of Directors.
Over the past year, approximately 52,000 young people across the country were reached through French for the Future’s programs and initiatives. This result reflects the organization’s consistent ability to reach tens of thousands of young people each year and demonstrates the sustained reach of its programs nationwide.
Through its various programs, the organization continues to provide young people with opportunities to experience French beyond the classroom, develop their leadership skills, and discover the diversity of the Francophonie.
Among its initiatives, the Young Franco Reporters project invites young people to participate in Francophone activities in their region and share their experiences on French for the Future’s blog. It is a way to highlight their perspectives on Francophone life across the country.
The organization’s 29th year also provided an opportunity to continue implementing its 2024–2028 Strategic Plan, including enhancing its programs, strengthening partnerships, and expanding its presence among youth and communities.
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United Bilingual Correspondents (registration open until October 13)
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Lance ton balado, in collaboration with the Salon du livre de l’Outaouais (submissions open until January 15)
- The National Essay Contest (October 14 to December 18)
As this anniversary year approaches, French for the Future remains committed to the mission that has guided the organization since its founding: to inspire and engage youth aged 12 to 18 to build their confidence in French and discover the richness of bilingualism and Francophone cultures.
The 30th year will be an opportunity to celebrate how far the organization has come since its founding, but above all, to look ahead and continue evolving its programs to reflect the realities and aspirations of a new generation of young people.
For more information on French for the Future and to view the 2025-2026 annual report, visit francais-avenir.org.
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View the annual report.