18th-20th of March, 2024 in Ottawa
Calling all leaders aged 18 to 35 who are passionate about social justice! Join us in Ottawa from March 18 to 20 for three days of workshops, discussions and performances to increase our collective impact. Join other young people from across the country who are also motivated by inclusion, anti-racism and decolonization, to change our francophone communities together.
Note: The Dialogue Foundation uses the terms and definitions found in the Guide to equity, diversity and inclusion terminology:
https://www.noslangues-ourlanguages.gc.ca/fr/publications/equite-diversite-inclusion-equity-diversity-inclusion-fra
Conferences and animation
Danielle Roy (she/her) – Master of Ceremonies
Originally from Iroquois Falls in Northern Ontario, Danielle is a French-Canadian freelance consultant who is proud of her Haudenosaunee and Ojibway Métis roots. She has been very involved in the Franco-Ontarian and indigenous community since arriving in the unceded Algonquin lands also known as Ottawa in 2013. Her career path has allowed her to work with several non-profit community organizations, including the Wabano Centre for Aboriginal Health, the Fédération de la jeunesse franco-ontarienne (FESFO), the Assemblée de la francophonie de l’Ontario and the Fédération culturelle canadienne-française (FCCF). Today, Danielle works with an Aboriginal consulting firm called First Peoples Group to provide facilitation, training, resource development and awareness-raising services on Aboriginal issues and challenges. She is passionate about social justice, reconciliation and creating safe spaces for everyone’s voice to be heard and respected.
Fae Johnstone (she/her) – Opening conference
Fae is an accomplished 2SLGBTQIA+ rights activist and entrepreneur. With a master’s degree in social work, she is recognised for her leadership in the fight for queer and trans rights in Canada, having devoted over ten years to this cause. As head of Wisdom2Action, a 2SLGBTQIA+ organisational development and inclusion consultancy, and CEO of the Society of Queer Momentum, Fae embodies change. Her work has won her numerous accolades, including Marshal of the Pride Parade and 2SLGBTQIA+ Young Entrepreneur of the Year.
Claude Andrea Bonny (she/her) – Panel Moderator
Claude Andrea Bonny is a seasoned public relations professional with a Master’s degree in Business Administration. Since September 2018, she has hosted and produced the program TOUT SAVOIR on TV Rogers Ottawa, highlighting her creativity and professionalism in media and communications. A speaker and event host, including election debates, Claude excels in front of an audience thanks to her poise and empathy. Passionate about her field, she is determined to take on new challenges, driven by a deep conviction in her skills and experience.
Ajà Besler (she/her) – Animation
Ajà Besler has been the Executive Director of the dialogue foundation since 2021, following a career in the Canadian Francophonie in the youth, performing arts and language rights sectors. A queer and disabled artist and activist, Ajà is passionate about social justice and the Francophonie. Originally from Edmonton, Ottawa is now her adopted community.
Panels
Audrey Labrie (she/her) is a mother, a feminist, a committed francophone, and a lawyer specializing in tenants’ rights, employment, human rights and administrative law. Originally from Alberta, she now lives in Ottawa.
Barney Morin (he/him) hails from a bilingual community in southern Manitoba. By day, he coordinates indigenous initiatives at the Festival du Voyageur. And in the evening, he performs comedy in Manitoba’s three official languages, French, English and Franglais.
Joane Assad (she/her)is a single mother and dynamic entrepreneur. Originally from Haiti origin and now based in Ottawa, she founded the FAM Association, an NPO that supports single mothers and young women, aiming to promote their personal development, resilience and well-being.
Sarah DeGrâce (she/her) is a social entrepreneur, artist and mental health activist. Originally from New Brunswick, she is the founder of the first leadership forum created by, for and with young autistic leaders in Quebec. She is actively involved with the Maison de l’innovation sociale, the Jeune Chambre de commerce de Montréal and the Mouvement jeunes et santé mentale.
Azza Youssef (she/her) a proud Franco-Ontarian and multilingual, excels as Supervisor of Programs and Student Services at La Cité Toronto. With a strong background in administration, marketing, and community consulting, she uses a variety of methodological approaches to improve efficiency and create strong partnerships. She previously held the position of Executive Director of ACFO DP.
Cedrick Dunia (he/him) is a graduate of the Université de Saint-Boniface and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in finance at the University of Manitoba. As coordinator of the Canal Jeunesse pour la Diversité Entrepreneuriale, which supports the emancipation of young entrepreneurs from visible minorities, he is committed to making entrepreneurship a lever for social change.
Khaoula Boulaamane (she/her) holds a doctorate in administration and policy. A specialist in school-family-community collaboration in the context of immigration, she explores leadership styles, equity, diversity, and inclusion in education. She is currently Research Coordinator and Associate Professor at the University of French Ontario in Toronto.
Morgane Lemée (she/her) based in Winnipeg, is a columnist and multimedia project manager for the Manitoba newspaper La Liberté, where she combines creative writing, documentary and podcasting for projects on culture, social justice, diversity and inclusion. She also produced the podcast Autres Regards.
Workshops
Circle practice – Jason Doiron (O Stratégies)
An introduction to the circle facilitation tool. Circle practice enables generative dialogue with shared leadership for collaborative and productive meetings. The circle helps us discover our collective wisdom. It helps us understand who we are, how we can offer help or ask for what we really need.
Jason Doiron (he/him) has over 20 years’ experience in the world of non-profit organizations and community development. His university studies focused on languages and communications at the Université de Moncton. He is a practitioner of the Art of Hosting, Design Thinking and Applied Improvisation. Throughout his career, Jason has held positions in numerous non-profit organizations focused on youth, arts and culture, capacity building and social innovation.
The relational ladybug – Amélia Simard + Victor Yin (Comité Francoqueer de l’Ouest)
Created by Victor, Amélia and Alex from the Comité Francoqueer de l’Ouest, the Relational Ladybug is a visual and conceptual tool for understanding our interactions in different environments. Participants will explore their own relationships and challenge preconceptions about what society considers ‘acceptable’ relationships.
Amélia Simard (they/them) has been a Community Development Officer for BC at the CFQO since August 2023. They build bridges between the CFQO and the francophone community, create and facilitate workshops and create content for broadcasts. Amélia also brings their expertise and lived experience as a trans and nonbinary person to mentor young Francoqueers in their community and allies who want to learn more.
Victor Yin (he/they) has been a Community Development Officer for Saskatchewan at the CFQO since October 2023. Victor has many years of experience in community mobilization and the non-profit sector. As a racialized and queer person, Victor brings an intersectional perspective to his work.
Inclusive Co-Creation – Ama Ouattara (Djiribo)
This approach involves actively involving all the stakeholders in a project or initiative from the earliest stages of the creative process. It aims to bring together people from different backgrounds, skills and perspectives to work towards a common goal, valuing diversity and inclusiveness.
Ama Ouattara (she/her), an Ottawa-based documentary photographer of Ivorian origin, focuses on social change, ageism and women’s leadership. Committed to promoting Afro-Caribbean contributions to Canada, she uses photography to celebrate the richness of the African diaspora, notably through a high-profile project that earned her a nomination for the Prix Relève ON 2021 for her leadership and inclusion.
The talking stick – Jolanta Bird
It’s a way of ensuring respect for everyone during meetings, but it’s also a work of art! Jolanta Bird opens a door in the minds of the participants, an opportunity to better understand each other and to bring out our creative spirit. Together, we’ll create our own talking stick, while learning about the indigenous culture that surrounds this practice!
Jolanta Bird (she/her) is an Ojibwe-Fransaskois photographer and entrepreneur who discovered her passion for photography in her first year at university! Since then, art has helped her find new friendships and connections!
Weaving Links: Collaborative Strategies for Sustainable Inclusion – Azza Youssef (Collège La Cité)
This workshop explores strategies for inclusion in post-secondary institutions and Francophone minority communities. Through collaboration and sharing, it encourages discussion on the challenges and successes of inclusion, focusing on cultural, socio-economic and professional integration. Participants will create common approaches to improving inclusion, enriching their knowledge and networks.
Creative exploration of inclusion: meditation, writing and sharing – Claire Samii
Combining the practice of meditation and mindfulness with a creative writing workshop, participants will have the opportunity to share their creations in a respectful and caring space, punctuated by guided meditations and an encouraging musical atmosphere.
Claire Samii (she/her) is a Master’s student in French Literature at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, on the unceded territories of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam) nation. She also contributes as a literary critic for the Prix Goncourt Canada student project. In her spare time, Claire loves to create. Her first book, a book of simple, healthy and delicious recipes, was written during the pandemic. Her paintings have been exhibited in various art galleries in Canada and Europe, and she received an award for one of her paintings from the United Nations World Food Programme.
Introduction to humour as a tool for dialogue – Ryana Balmir (LOL-Mort de rire competition)
Whether you’re already a fan of humour or just want to explore your comedic side, this course is the perfect opportunity to discover the secrets of humour. From the structure of a joke to the most effective humour techniques, you’ll learn everything you need to know to make people laugh out loud. What’s more, you’ll discover how to present your jokes on stage like real professionals.
Ryana Balmir (she/her) is a Haitian artist, comedian and actress from the Orléans region. She attended École Béatrice-Desloges during her high school years and took advantage of the opportunity to do some theatre and comedy. She has been involved in the French-language artistic community through the LOL competition, and is currently working on her bachelor’s degree in psychology with a minor in management.
Shows
18th March at 8pm at Club SAW! Join us for an evening open to the general public! The evening is alcohol-free, so it’s open to all ages.
On the programme:
Sinem Kara (QC)
Dolino (QC)
Coco Belliveau (NB)
Barney Morin (MB)
Ryana Balmir (ON)
Dillon Lalonde Morgan (ON)
19th March at 8pm at Club SAW! Join us for an evening open to the general public! The evening is alcohol-free, so it’s open to all ages. On the programme:
Akeem OH
Jessy Lindsay
Mimi O’Bonsawin
Mehdi Cayenne
Participate in the Forum
REGISTRATIONS FOR THIS YEAR’S FORUM ARE NOW CLOSED!
The registration fee of $300 per person includes transport, accommodation, meals during the Forum and participation in all Forum activities.
Open to all French-speaking young Canadians aged 18 to 35. Places are limited, and registrations will be approved as they come in. We want to ensure that the diverse realities of the Canadian Francophonie are represented, including, but not limited to, racialized people, indigenous people, people with disabilities, people from different religious communities, French as a second language (FSL), the 2LGBTQ+ community and the different provinces and territories.
Thank you to our partners
