The AEFO hands out two Prix anniversaire during its 75th anniversary

OTTAWA, March 10, 2014 /CNW Telbec/ - In the midst of its 2014 policy conference, the Association des enseignantes et des enseignants franco-ontariens (AEFO) handed out yesterday its Prix anniversaire to two Franco-Ontarian women with a strong social involvement who have made an exceptional contribution to the francophonie.

Ms. Lise Routhier-Boudreau, from Ottawa, is a former provincial president of the AEFO. Since retiring from teaching 10 years ago, she has continued to promote a dynamic and varied francophonie. Most notably, she led the Fédération des communautés francophones et acadiennes du Canada, was co-president of the working group that was responsible for the creation of the Assemblée de la francophonie de l'Ontario, and was a member of the board of directors of the Festival franco-ontarien and the Centre de la Francophonie des Amériques. She is currently president of the Centre canadien de leadership en évaluation. 

Ms. Léonie Tchatat, from Toronto, founded and leads La Passerelle-I. D. É, an organization devoted to the socioeconomic integration of young francophones, whatever their origin, in Franco-Ontarian and Canadian societies. Through her work, she has also encouraged the participation of racial and ethnocultural minorities in the Assemblée de la francophonie de l'Ontario. Ms. Tchatat is a member of the Expert Roundtable on Immigration of the Ontario Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration (MCI) and of the Francophone Minority Communities Steering of Citizenship and Immigration Canada.

An Exhibit Showing 75 Years of Achievements
To celebrate its 75 years of existence in 2014, the AEFO launched a virtual exhibition on its history, which highlights the work it has done to improve teachers' working conditions, as well as its important contributions to the field of education and the francophonie. "We wish our current members will learn more about what was done by their predecessors,  and to be inspired by past achievements in order to continue moving forward," said the AEFO President, Carol Jolin. "We hope the exhibit will allow Franco-Ontarians, especially new members, to discover just how much the AEFO contributed to Franco-Ontarian society. "

The exhibit can be seen on the AEFO's website at aefoexpo75.ca

Some 200 AEFO members from across the province are meeting in Ottawa during the 2014 policy conference ending March 11.

Founded on May 12, 1939, the AEFO has some 10 000 members and represents teachers from Ontario French-language elementary and secondary schools, catholic and public, as well as professional, administrative, and support staff working in various francophone work environments.

SOURCE: Association des enseignantes et des enseignants franco-ontariens (AEFO)

Marilyne Guèvremont, Executive - Communication Services, 613 244-2336, ext. 309, 613 850-6410, [email protected]