Collège Nordique draws inspiration from the first Provincial Summit on Lifelong Learning in New Brunswick

On November 4 and 5, Patrick Arsenault, Executive Director of Collège Nordique, travelled to Moncton (New Brunswick) to participate in the very first provincial Summit on Lifelong Learning, organized by CODAC NB and supported by RESDAC.

This participation—made possible thanks to RESDAC’s funding, and aligned with Patrick’s role as a board member of RESDAC—directly supports the preparation of the pan-territorial Summit that Collège Nordique will host in June 2026.

Patrick was joined by Souâad Larfi, Director of Training at the Association franco-yukonnaise (AFY), in a joint effort to draw inspiration from this key event and strengthen lifelong learning in the territories.

A structured and mobilizing Summit: a source of inspiration for the territories

The Summit brought together more than 135 leaders from the community, municipal, economic, cultural, immigration and education sectors. Over two days, participants exchanged views on the conditions needed to build strong francophone learning communities.

A key moment was the signing of the Provincial Declaration on Lifelong Learning, which commits partners to:

• Recognize learning as a right at every age
• Strengthen intersectoral collaboration
• Support the development of learning communities across all regions
• Work toward a provincial action plan

Patrick was particularly struck by the high level of organization—an element that strongly inspires the territories:

“The bar is high. We saw strong, well-structured mobilization. For the territories, it’s inspiring and motivating. We are still at an early stage, but this visit confirms that we are moving in the right direction and that we have our own role to play.”

The NWT and New Brunswick: two very different francophone realities

Patrick notes that the challenges in the Northwest Territories differ greatly from those in New Brunswick.

In New Brunswick, current literacy issues stem from a history in which access to education in French was limited or even prohibited, shaping the long-term trajectory of a significant portion of the francophone population.

In the Northwest Territories, the situation is quite different:

• Most francophone individuals arrive for work, often already well-educated
• Needs are centred on welcoming, settling and including newly arrived individuals
• The objective is to foster a multicultural, dynamic and vibrant francophone community

Patrick summarizes the differences this way:

“The needs are not the same. In the NWT, our priority is to create spaces that allow newly arrived individuals to thrive in French and contribute to a diverse community rooted in a unique northern context.”

Christian Kit Goguen: a powerful testimony on learning and resilience

One of the most impactful moments for Patrick was the keynote by Christian Kit Goguen, a Cirque du Soleil artist living with Tourette syndrome.

His testimony deeply moved the audience. He spoke candidly about the challenges he faced in formal learning environments, and explained how the arts played a transformative role in his development, allowing him to achieve an exceptional level of skill and stage presence.

Patrick particularly noted his performance of a song evoking the transmission of Tourette syndrome from father to son—a moment of great intensity that illustrated vulnerability, resilience, and the impact such experiences can have on a person’s development from a young age. A powerful and deeply human moment that resonated throughout the room.

As Patrick emphasized:

“We laughed and cried. What he shared was profoundly honest. He reminded us that learning paths are multiple and must recognize each person’s reality.”

A strong signal for the North: drawing inspiration, adapting, and building our own model

At the end of the Summit, both Patrick Arsenault and Souâad Larfi arrived at the same conclusion:
the territories also want to build a strong culture of lifelong learning.

“This Summit confirms that the territories must join forces and adapt this vision to their own realities. We are inspired and ready to take on the challenge.”

This Summit in New Brunswick marks the beginning of a series of national events dedicated to lifelong learning. While each province is expected to host its own, three initial gatherings are already confirmed:

• New Brunswick – November 2025
• Alberta – May 2026
• Pan-territorial Summit of the three territories, hosted by Collège Nordique – June 2026

These events will lay the groundwork for a broader movement in which each province and territory contributes to building a shared vision for lifelong learning in francophone minority communities.

Looking ahead to the Pan-territorial Summit hosted by Collège Nordique

Through this participation in Moncton, Collège Nordique strengthens its capacity to:

• Build a mobilizing pan-territorial event
• Highlight northern realities
• Support francophone communities across the three territories
• Create spaces where all individuals can learn, contribute and be recognized

The participation of Patrick Arsenault and Souâad Larfi represents a key step in preparing the pan-territorial Summit, and reaffirms the Collège’s commitment to playing a structuring role in the future of lifelong learning in the North.