Grenada recently hosted a landmark gathering of Alliance Française directors from across the English-speaking Caribbean, marking a significant step in strengthening cultural and linguistic cooperation throughout the region. The RÉZO seminar, held throughout October, brought together leadership from ten Caribbean nations under the supportive guidance of the French Embassy’s Service de Coopération et d’Action Culturelle (SCAC).
The three-day summit served as a dynamic platform for enhancing collaboration between the extensive Alliances Françaises network and French diplomatic cultural services. Participants engaged in profound dialogue centered on listening and mutual cooperation, working collectively to develop innovative strategies and projects. Their shared vision focused on creating a more inclusive, modern, and accessible French-speaking Caribbean that fully embraces multilingual diversity.
Christiane Bourgeois, Regional Counsellor for Cooperation and Cultural Action at the French Embassy, emphasized the crucial role these institutions play in fostering cultural, educational, scientific, and economic connections. She highlighted how French priorities—including cultural promotion, sustainability, and human rights—align closely with the specific needs of Caribbean nations. Bourgeois particularly stressed the fundamental importance of dedicated local individuals in bringing the vibrant French-speaking community to life throughout the region.
The event featured significant symbolic gestures, including Bourgeois’s presentation of Pink October scarves, bracelets, and pins to Alliance directors. These items, in the signature pink colors, represented shared commitment and solidarity in the fight against breast cancer, demonstrating the network’s engagement with important social health issues.
Jean-François Hans, Geographical Delegate at the Fondation des Alliances Françaises, joined remotely from Paris to reinforce the importance of maintaining continental cohesion and solidifying global presence. He underscored the Foundation’s role in upholding shared values, governance standards, and visual identity while supporting local teams to ensure consistent quality and ethics worldwide.
The gathering notably addressed the unique challenges and opportunities within the Caribbean context, where logistical and human resource challenges are balanced against exceptionally rich cultural and linguistic diversity. Directors from Grenada, Saint Lucia, Barbados, Suriname, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Dominica, Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, Jamaica, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines shared insights on everyday operational challenges, local pride, and collective commitment to alliance strengthening.
With origins dating back to 1883, the Alliances Françaises network now operates in over 135 countries with more than 820 branches globally, making it the world’s largest cultural network. In the English-speaking Caribbean alone, these ten alliances serve over 1,000 language learners annually while organizing hundreds of cultural events that promote French language and Francophone cultures throughout the region.