News
Le Grand parle-ouère of the CMA 2019: restructured format and wide variety of topics
June 11, 2019, Moncton, N.-B. – The Congrès mondial acadien 2019 is pleased to reveal the details of Le Grand parle-ouère, CMA 2019 People’s Forum, held from August 18 to August 20, in Moncton. A completely revamped format awaits participants, with themed discussions, major conferences and an open forum.
On August 18 and 19, the day will begin with conferences hosted by two renowned guest speakers. These conferences will be an opportunity for people to learn more about some of the topics chosen by the Acadian population.
If these presentations serve to some extent as an introduction to the topics that will be discussed during Le Grand parle-ouère, it’s with the themed discussions that we will get to the heart of the matter. For each topic, two resource persons, one working in the areas of research, the other in field work, will initiate discussions. It will then be the turn of participants to share, discuss and express their views on the topic! These sessions will be moderated by a team of facilitators from across the Maritime provinces: Michel Desjardins (NB), Jacinthe Lemire (PEI), Jason Doiron (NB), Natalie Robichaud (NS) and Ricky Richard (QC). The following video explains how the discussions will be conducted. Click here to view.
The topics addressed were selected for and by the Acadian population in a survey launched last December. Among the topics that came up most often were linguistic security, new forms of engagement, ecology, Acadian identity, education and the transmission of French, economic development, Francophone immigration, and much more (the complete list of topics and schedule can be found at the end of the press release).
Le Grand parle-ouère will end with an activity providing a good representation of the new format for this reflection component of the CMA 2019: an open forum where people are invited to answer an important question: "For me, the future of Acadie is determined by…”. This original concept allows anyone to suggest a group discussion that will call upon collective knowledge and that will leave lots of space for participants’ priorities and creativity.
Claudette Thériault, Chair of the Congrès mondial acadien 2019, is excited by the direction taken by Le Grand parle-ouère: "This activity features an inviting, dynamic and interactive format. We really hope that people from everywhere will come and speak out on topics that affect them! I think it’s essential to do this work if we want to advance discussions on Acadie and, as is often said, this is what a CMA is all about.”
“We are very pleased to host the Grand parle-ouère at the Université de Moncton,” mentioned interim rector and vice-chancellor of the university, Jacques Paul Couturier. “We hope that this forum will be a place of rich discussion and dialogue about the challenges and debates involving the development of Acadie. It is important to work together at this time in order to shape the Acadie that we wish to pass on to future generations.”
"Acadie needs communal spaces such as the one offered by Le Grand parle-ouère to provide an opportunity to reflect, discuss and get direction. After all, it is together that we first dreamed of our greatest achievements before bringing them to life”, states Louise Imbeault, president of Société Nationale de l’Acadie (SNA).
"Linguistic security, ecology and education are some of the topics that students hold dear. It is a great pleasure for us to be partners in an event that pushes the reflection further than usual”, comments Pascale Rioux, chair of the FÉÉCUM (Fédération des étudiantes et étudiants du Campus universitaire de Moncton).
Le Grand parle-ouère: the CMA 2019's people's forum is organized in partnership with Université de Moncton, the collective L'état de l'Acadie, the Société Nationale de l'Acadie and the Fédération des étudiantes et des étudiants du Campus universitaire de Moncton.
Schedule and topics of Le Grand parle-ouère
August 18, 2019
9 a.m. to 9:50 a.m.:
- Major conference
10:20 a.m. to 11:50 a.m.:
- Linguistic security: why am I afraid to speak with my accent?
- New forms of engagement in the social media age
- Acadie and ecology: communities, territories and science
1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.:
- Acadian identity today
- Education in French: from early childhood to post-secondary education
- How can we foster Acadie’s economic development?
August 19, 2019
9 a.m. to 9:50 a.m.:
- Major conference
10:10 a.m. to 11:40 a.m.:
- Transmission of the French language in North America: a daily challenge
- Francophone immigration: the changing face of today’s Acadie
- The organization of Acadian society: do Acadian people have all the necessary tools to guide their destiny?
1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.:
- Collaboration and solidarity between Acadian communities
- Claiming new rights and protecting acquired rights: future action
- Culture and Acadian arts development
August 20, 2019
9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Open forum: For me, the future of Acadie is determined by…
About Us
The 6th edition of the Congrès mondial acadien will take place from August 10 to August 24, 2019 in Prince Edward Island and Southwestern New Brunswick. The mission of the Congrès mondial acadien is to unite Acadians and all those interested in Acadian culture. For more information about the programming and event, visit www.cma2019.ca.
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For information or interviews:
Marc Poirier
Director of Communications and Marketing
Congrès mondial acadien 2019
506-866-0215 / This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
