JASON SETNYK
The Communauté Francophone Accueillante (CFA) de Cornwall brought together residents, community leaders, and partner organizations recently for a full-day forum focused on inclusion and strengthening the Francophone community in Cornwall.
Held at 146B Chevrier Avenue during the annual Francophonie Month celebrations, the event combined workshops, panel discussions, and a roundtable aimed at strengthening social cohesion and supporting the integration of French-speaking newcomers. The forum was funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada and supported by ACFO Stormont Dundas Glengarry.
Benjamin Mulaji Mukadi, coordinator of the CFA Cornwall, said the initiative was designed to bring people together around shared solutions. “We are looking together at how we can build a strong community that contributes to a healthy life and the economic progress of the town.”
The day began with an opening ceremony and continued with three thematic workshops addressing identity, discrimination, and integration, followed by a roundtable on partnerships and solutions. Each session encouraged dialogue between long-standing Francophone residents and newcomers.
Mukadi emphasized that the forum was intentionally participatory. “You have three panels, and after that there is space for discussion and solutions,” he said. “It is about how we can work together with the community and help newcomers feel safe and supported.” Among the speakers was Schwab Mulopo Bakombo, a community health and development professional and PhD candidate at the University of Ottawa, who led a session on the integration of newly arrived Francophone families.
“I’ll be presenting on newly arrived immigrants, especially Francophones,” Bakombo said. “We’ll look at the challenges associated with coming to Canada and give recommendations on how people can better integrate into society.”
Bakombo noted that one of the most significant challenges newcomers face is the gap between expectations and reality.
“The struggle is mostly integration,” he said. “People come with particular expectations, and quite often when they arrive, it’s not exactly what they thought it would be.” He pointed to networking and language acquisition as key factors in successful settlement. “Networking is very important, and also speaking the language of the land,” Bakombo said. “These are determinants that can allow someone to better integrate.”
Despite these challenges, he stressed that newcomers are not alone. “Canada has put together a lot of resources, many of them online,” he said. “No one is really alone. There is help.” Other speakers expanded on key themes of identity, inclusion, and social cohesion. Marlyse Bermingham, a Francophone advocate based in Hawkesbury, led a session exploring the Francophonie as an inclusive and evolving identity. With a background in sociology, Bermingham’s work focuses on strengthening dialogue between long-standing Francophone residents and newcomers, with an emphasis on social cohesion and civic participation.
While Jean-Marcel Ndumbi-Tshingombe, an educator and community leader, addressed issues of discrimination, racism, and prejudice. Drawing on his experience in education and leadership, he highlighted the impact of systemic barriers on newcomers and emphasized the role of institutions and communities in fostering inclusion and equity.
The forum concluded with a roundtable discussion facilitated by Denise Boudjou, founder of AGOUA Éduc, bringing together municipal representatives, organizations, and community leaders. The session focused on identifying practical partnerships and solutions to support the long-term integration and growth of Cornwall’s Francophone community.
Other sessions explored themes such as systemic discrimination, social cohesion, and the evolving identity of the Francophonie as a diverse and inclusive space. The roundtable brought together municipal representatives, organizations, and community leaders to identify practical steps forward. Organizers said the forum strengthened connections within Cornwall’s Francophone community and addressed barriers to inclusion.
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