Friday, March 28th, 2025, was a day of celebration for the Francophonie in North America. The International School of Boston (ISB) had the distinct honor of hosting the AEFE (Agency for French Education Abroad) zonal final of the "Ambassadeurs, Ambassadrices en Herbe" (Young Ambassadors) competition. This flagship AEFE event celebrates eloquence, multilingualism, and intercultural dialogue.

From the early morning, an electric atmosphere buzzed at ISB, where young talents from eight schools across the zone were warmly welcomed with breakfast. The morning began with an inspiring opening ceremony, which brought together the young participants, their chaperones, and a distinguished panel of judges.

The oratorical jousts, the day's highlight, began right away with passion. The quarter-finals, semi-finals, and grand final unfolded, offering a spectacle of stimulating intellectual and linguistic richness. The themes related to Francophonie in the world allowed students to demonstrate their ability to argue and synthesize in multiple languages and captivate their audience. Dedicated preparation times, intense jury deliberations, and well-timed breaks punctuated this day.

This competition was designed to cultivate a wide range of essential skills in its participants. Beyond public speaking, students honed their critical thinking by analyzing complex topics and formulating persuasive arguments. Their research and synthesis abilities were sharpened as they prepared their speeches and delivered presentations in multiple languages. The multilingual aspect, including presentations in the host country's language and a summary in English, significantly enhanced their linguistic proficiency and intercultural communication skills. Furthermore, the format encouraged teamwork and collaboration as students prepared for the various rounds. Finally, the pressure of a public competition fostered self-confidence and resilience.

The jury, composed of key personalities from the educational and diplomatic worlds, faced the challenge of selecting the best among these young orators. We thank them for their presence, dedication, and expertise:

Ms. B. BROUDER, Head of School at the French American School of Rhode Island

Mr. M. SOYKUT, Consul General of France in Boston

Ms. G. MORAT, Education Attachée at the French Embassy in the United States

Ms. M.J. DUQUETTE, Attachée for Culture and Francophone and Educational Affairs at the Québec Delegation in Boston

After a day rich in emotions and passionate debates, participants had the opportunity to immerse themselves in the academic ambiance of Harvard University during an enriching visit. This tour of the campus of one iconic institution and one of the world's most prestigious universities undoubtedly fueled the inspiration of our young ambassadors.

The day concluded with a reception at the Residence of France in Cambridge. This privileged moment was the occasion for the highly anticipated awards ceremony. Before an enthusiastic audience, the names of the young ambassadors who will represent the North American zone at the world final in Paris in October were announced. Thanks to a presentation video produced at ISB, five students will proudly carry the colors of our network.

Congratulations to the brilliant laureates who will represent us with panache:

Armand – International School of Boston – 6ème (6th Grade) – Orator

Sofia – Kennedy International School – 2nde/10th Grade – French/English Translator

Jean-Guy – Collège Stanislas Montréal – 5ème (7th Grade) – Orator

Ella – The École NY – 4ème (8th Grade) – Orator

Robin – Collège Stanislas de Québec – 3ème (9th Grade) – Host/Moderator

This event, the fruit of a productive collaboration among the eight participating schools (The Ecole, Santa Rosa Charter School, FASNY, Kennedy International School, Collège Stanislas Canada, Collège Stanislas Québec, L'École Bilingue de Berkeley, and the International School of Boston), once again demonstrated the vitality and dynamism of the Francophonie in North America. It provided a unique platform for these young talents to assert their multilingual and intercultural identities, which are values dear to the AEFE network.