By Rula Samain
Anovia, Amman– At the opening reception of the 2026 Francophonie celebrations, a number of ambassadors of Francophone countries underscored the growing global relevance of the French language, highlighting its role as a platform for cultural exchange, dialogue, and cooperation, while reaffirming its importance in strengthening educational and diplomatic ties with Jordan.
The event, which took place at the Belgian residence, was marked by its global significance and cultural depth, reaffirming the French language as a shared space uniting 88 countries under the International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF), unfolded as a vibrant meeting point of languages, arts, and ideas, highlighting cultural diversity while deepening ties between Jordan and the Francophone world.
Serge Dickschen, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Belgium to Jordan, emphasized that Francophonie embodies openness and tolerance, noting that it transcends borders to unite countries across Europe, the Arab world, Asia, Africa, and North America.
He described it as “a community of shared values rooted in cultural and linguistic diversity, dialogue, and tolerance.”
Dichschen told Anovia that “spanning Europe, the Arab world, Asia, Africa, and North America, Francophonie defines itself as a community of shared values grounded in cultural, and linguistic, diversity, dialogue, and tolerance. This lies at the very heart of what we stand for, and is all the more essential at a time when values and principles increasingly appear relative and negotiable.”
He said that, although rooted in history and long associated with diplomacy and royal courts, French is far from static; it is a dynamic, evolving language, continually adapting to change and embracing modernity, affirming its place as a language with a future.
The ambassador added that, while Jordan is not historically part of the Francophone world, the growing number of French speakers makes such celebrations an important opportunity to raise awareness of the Francophonie and the professional and cultural opportunities the French language can offer.
“The occasion also serves as an open invitation to those interested in exploring other cultures and expressions, through academia, literature, cinema, the arts, and gastronomy.”
Highlighting this perspective, the ambassador stated “I believe the Francophonie, and Belgium itself, with its three distinct languages, cultures, and identities, can offer Jordanians a compelling example of how diversity can be integrated and harnessed to serve common goals.”
Switzerland, a member of the International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF) since 1996, underscores its longstanding commitment to the Francophone community, and since joining, the country has actively contributed to the organization’s mission of promoting the French language, cultural and linguistic diversity, advancing peace and democracy, human rights, education, and digital governance.
Edouard Jay, Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of Switzerland in Jordan, told Anovia that Francophonie, both as a language and a culture, is an integral part of Swiss identity, noting that more than 20 per cent of the population speaks French, making it the country’s second most widely spoken national language.
He said that as a multilingual country, Switzerland values the coexistence of its four national languages and the way they shape its culture, politics, and longstanding tradition of dialogue and compromise.
“The Francophonie stands as a space of trust and dialogue, grounded in universal human values, and across its nearly 90 member states, we are united by the conviction that diversity is a strength and a bridge between societies, advancing shared priorities.”
Jay noted that, beyond the events themselves, Francophonie Month (Mois de la Francophonie) serves as a reminder of something deeper.
“It is about a community built on dialogue, mutual respect, and meaningful cultural exchange, a space where we learn from one another, celebrate our differences, and work together towards a more peaceful and inclusive world.”
He added that the Embassy of Switzerland looks forward to engaging with Jordanians through a range of cultural and linguistic activities, including a Swiss-themed pub quiz on April 8 dedicated to Swiss culture and the French language, inviting all to participate regardless of their level of French.
Ranking among the world’s widely spoken languages, French is currently spoken by around 396 million people across five continents, according to the latest estimates by the International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF).
The French Ambassador, Frank Gellet, said that French has recently become the world’s fourth most spoken language.
“It is the second most widely learned language after English, the fourth most used language on the internet, and a key medium in education, economic exchange, and diplomacy.”
Gellet said that Francophonie extends beyond a common language, evolving into a dynamic global platform that fosters dialogue, partnership, and cooperation among nations.
He emphasized that French belongs to all who speak it, reflecting a rich diversity of cultures and perspectives, supported by extensive networks of French institutes and Alliances Françaises in more than 130 countries.
“Francophonie, embodies a vibrant and evolving community built on dialogue, opportunity, and shared values.”
In Jordan, the Francophonie takes on a distinctly practical dimension, reflected in a growing educational and cultural ecosystem that continues to expand across the Kingdom.
The French Ambassador noted that today more than 33,000 Jordanians are learning French, including around 28,500 pupils in schools and 3,000 university students, supported by nearly 120 schools, nine universities, and some 285 teachers nationwide.
“This collective effort sends a clear message that French is not only a language of culture, but also one of education, mobility, and employability, aligned with its global role in economic exchange and international cooperation.”
He added that by bringing together embassies and institutions, “we seek to promote openness, multilingualism, and dialogue, while strengthening lasting educational and cultural ties between Jordan and the Francophone world, a partnership that fosters knowledge-sharing and creates tangible opportunities, particularly for Jordanian youth and women.”
Francophonie celebrations in Jordan are part of a global initiative launched in the 1990s and have been taking place in the Kingdom for more than two decades, with structured programs that have brought together embassies, schools, universities, and cultural institutions across the country.
“Today, this evolving journey reflects a strong multi-partner dynamic, illustrating both the growing vitality of the French language in Jordan and the depth of its cultural and educational ties with the Francophone world.”
On the other hand, the Moroccan Ambassador, Fouad Akhrif, described Francophonie as more than a linguistic space, rather a model of solidarity and cooperation rooted in unity in diversity, serving as a strategic lever for building a more equitable and sustainable world grounded in mutual respect and constructive dialogue.
The Moroccan ambassador framed the Francophonie Month celebrations in Jordan as a compelling example of coordinated cultural and diplomatic engagement, reflecting a shared commitment to dialogue, inclusivity, and human values.
“Francophonie Month in Jordan represents a model of collective action that promotes intercultural dialogue, advances values of justice, equality, human rights, and peace, and highlights the vital role of women and youth in building knowledge societies.”
Akhrif concluded that through strengthened partnerships between diplomatic missions and local cultural institutions, these initiatives bring people together, fostering creativity, deepening cultural exchange, and reinforcing shared human values.
