On June 22 and 23, Collège Nordique participated in the national meetings of the Réseau pour le développement de l'alphabétisme et des compétences (RESDAC) in Ottawa. Representing the College were Patrick Arsenault, Chief Executive Officer, and Erika Cairo-Luce, Director of Operations, who attended the network's 35th Annual General Meeting as well as the launch of the Communities of Learning Strategy.

The College's participation builds on its ongoing commitment to lifelong learning, following the recent Pan-Territorial Learning Summit and the development of its Community Literacy Centre.

A National Vision That Aligns with the College's Priorities

For more than 30 years, RESDAC has brought together Francophone organizations from across Canada to promote skills development and the recognition of lifelong learning, whether acquired through formal, non-formal, or informal learning. Its new Communities of Learning Strategy positions lifelong learning as a driver of economic, social, and civic development for Francophone minority communities. Collège Nordique joined the network several years ago and has since become an active contributor, participating in national discussions and collaborative initiatives.

For Erika Cairo-Luce, the strategy closely aligns with the College's current priorities.

"This meeting came at exactly the right time. It helped us better understand what literacy truly means. It's not just about learning a language; it's about developing the essential skills that allow people to fully thrive within their communities."

The workshops were led in part by Judith Charest and Denise Amyot, two long-time collaborators of Collège Nordique who regularly support the institution through organizational development, leadership, and innovation initiatives. Sessions focused on skills recognition, the development of Francobadges, and the competency frameworks for Skills to Succeed and Skills to Thrive, designed to better reflect the realities of Francophone minority communities.

Participants also explored initiatives such as TOPO, a RESDAC tool designed to better identify the needs of Francophone communities, as well as the Library of the Americas, which recently partnered with RESDAC to increase access to educational resources for Francophone minority communities across Canada while expanding their reach throughout the Americas.

These discussions will directly support the ongoing development of Collège Nordique's Community Literacy Centre and its initiatives related to skills recognition.

Northern Expertise Inspiring Communities Across Canada

The meetings also provided an opportunity to revisit the Pan-Territorial Learning Summit organized just a few weeks earlier by Collège Nordique, the Association franco-yukonnaise (AFY), and the Association franco-nunavoise (AFN).

As highlighted in RESDAC's annual report, provincial and territorial summits are among the key pillars of its Communities of Learning Strategy, and the three-territory summit already represents an important contribution to this national initiative.

The model developed in the North attracted considerable interest from participants.

"Many people asked how we managed to organize a summit involving three territories, multiple time zones, and a two-day hybrid format. It was incredibly rewarding to see that our experience could inspire other organizations," said Erika Cairo-Luce.

Patrick Arsenault shares that sense of pride.

"We were among the first organizations in Canada to organize a summit of this scale. It wasn't a simple undertaking, but it demonstrates what we can accomplish when Northern partners work together."

For him, the interest shown by colleagues from across the country confirms that initiatives developed in the territories can help shape best practices within Canada's Francophone community.

Continuing Our Commitment

A RESDAC member for nearly two years, Collège Nordique continues to play an active role within the network. During the Annual General Meeting, Patrick Arsenault renewed his commitment to the Board of Directors and was appointed to the committee responsible for supporting RESDAC's governance review.

The initiative aims to modernize the organization's governance structure to better support its continued growth and long-term vision. For Collège Nordique, the work comes at an ideal time.

"Our pan-territorial project will also require us to develop a governance model adapted to collaboration across multiple territories. Participating in this work is a valuable learning opportunity that will directly benefit our organization."

The meetings also provided updates on RESDAC's major initiatives while fostering meaningful exchanges with Francophone organizations from across the country.

Partnerships That Strengthen Collective Action

Beyond the workshops and working sessions, Patrick Arsenault and Erika Cairo-Luce emphasized the importance of reconnecting with colleagues from other provinces and territories.

The meetings offered an opportunity to meet once again with long-standing partners, including the Association franco-yukonnaise and the Association franco-nunavoise, organizations with which Collège Nordique collaborates regularly.

Informal conversations, discussions on emerging practices, and the sharing of experiences complemented the official program and helped strengthen partnerships that continue throughout the year.

Returning to Yellowknife, the College's representatives brought back much more than new knowledge. They returned with renewed confidence that the initiatives developed in the North are contributing to a broader national movement focused on building learning communities where skills development, collaboration, and lifelong learning become powerful drivers of community growth and vitality.