From August 3 to 8, 2025, 35 young participants from 10 provinces and two territories are gathered at the University of Ottawa for the latest edition of the National Ambassador Youth Forum (FNJA), an annual event organized by French for the Future.
Over the course of the week, participants will use French as a tool for connection, learning, and cultural exchange, building friendships with other youth passionate about bilingualism. The forum offers a unique opportunity to develop leadership skills, strengthen linguistic identity, and create lasting networks among francophone and francophile youth.
Founded over 20 years ago, the FNJA has trained more than 630 young ambassadors, many of whom remain active in promoting French across Canada. Among them is Yilian Blanchard, FNJA 2025 coordinator, who began as an ambassador in 2019 before returning as a facilitator in 2022 and 2023, and coordinator in 2024 and 2025.
“What touches me most, and what brought me back for a fifth edition, is the strength, resilience, and commitment of young people who want to make a difference in their communities. Their sincere love for the French language and their desire to preserve bilingualism in Canada are a constant source of inspiration.”
— Yilian Blanchard, FNJA 2025 Coordinator
Last year’s 2024–2025 ambassadors reached more than 13,000 people through their French-language initiatives, demonstrating the tangible impact of the program.
A Week of Learning and Engagement
The 2025-2026 cohort will participate in leadership and project management workshops, French-language games, outdoor activities, and visits to Ottawa landmarks such as Parliament and the Senate.
This year, Quebec is represented by:
- Mojgan Mir Sadeghi Varzaneh – Longueuil, QC
- Ayman Chahid – Sherbrooke, QC
- Yutong Ma – Montréal, QC
Over the coming school year, ambassadors will carry out French-language initiatives in their schools to promote bilingualism. These could include creating French clubs, hosting game nights, or writing blog articles.
About French for the Future
Founded in 1997, French for the Future is a non-profit organization that encourages secondary students to study and live in French. Through nationwide events and transformative experiences, the organization fosters self-confidence, leadership, and a passion for French language and francophone cultures among youth aged 12 to 18.
