Louisiana at the Heart of a Global French-Speaking Community
Every March, communities around the world celebrate the Mois de la Francophonie—a month dedicated to the French language and the vibrant cultures it connects across continents. From Africa to Europe, from the Caribbean to North America, more than 300 million French speakers share a linguistic bond that transcends borders.
Louisiana and the International Francophone Community
Organisation internationale de la Francophonie
The OIF is one of the largest international bodies, comprising over 40% of the members of the UN. In 1970, the earliest version of the OIF was created. Spearheaded by the Presidents of Senegal, Tunisia, and Niger, it brought together 21 participating countries and governments, united by shared language (and often a colonial history with francophone Europe). The OIF has since grown, becoming a global organization whose numerous branches cooperate with its 93 member states and governments in the fields of culture, science, economy, justice, and peace.
Learn more about the Francophonie and Louisiana’s participation and projects here.
In 2018, Louisiana made history by joining the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie (OIF) as an observer member. This milestone positioned our state within the world’s leading multilateral organization dedicated to French language cooperation, cultural exchange, education, economic development, and democratic values.
Louisiana’s observer membership in the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie was the result of sustained efforts spanning decades. Many educators, cultural leaders, elected officials, and community advocates contributed to the long-term vision of reconnecting Louisiana with the international Francophone community.
Learn more about La Francophonie from the OIF.
Louisiana is the only U.S. state to hold this status.
Here in Louisiana, that bond is not symbolic—it is lived history, living culture, and a forward-looking commitment. Louisiana is the only US state involved in the OIF. It is also the only participating government in the OIF whose sovereign national government (the United States) does not participate in the organization.
Becoming an observer was not simply a diplomatic gesture—it was international recognition of Louisiana’s unique French and Creole heritage, as well as our commitment to revitalizing and strengthening French education across generations.
CODOFIL: Louisiana’s French Diplomatic Arm
Council for the Development of French in Louisiana
CODOFIL serves as Louisiana’s official French diplomatic arm. Created in 1968 to support and expand French language education, CODOFIL today works at the intersection of education, culture, and international cooperation. Through teacher recruitment programs, partnerships with Francophone governments, curriculum development, and cultural initiatives, CODOFIL ensures that Louisiana remains an active and respected voice within the global Francophone community.
Our mission extends beyond preservation. We focus on growth—developing bilingual citizens, supporting heritage language communities, and creating economic and cultural bridges between Louisiana and Francophone regions worldwide.
Why Mois de la Francophonie Matters in Louisiana
Francophonie is not abstract here. It lives in our classrooms, in our music, in our family histories, and in our communities from Lafayette to New Orleans and beyond.
Mois de la Francophonie is an opportunity to celebrate:
- Louisiana French and Louisiana Creole
- International teacher exchange programs
- Student language achievement
- Cultural events and artistic collaboration
- Youth leadership in bilingual education
It is also a reminder that Louisiana is not alone. We are part of a worldwide network of French-speaking communities working together to preserve linguistic diversity and promote cross-cultural understanding.
Explore games created by the Centre de la Francophonie des Amériques.
Looking Forward
Louisiana’s observer membership in the OIF marked the beginning of a new chapter in our international engagement. With CODOFIL leading the way, our state continues to build meaningful partnerships across the Francophone world—strengthening education, expanding opportunity, and affirming that French is not simply part of our past, but central to our future.
This Mois de la Francophonie, we celebrate Louisiana’s place on the global stage—and recommit to ensuring that French language and culture continue to thrive for generations to come.
Vive la Francophonie. Vive la Louisiane.
About CODOFIL
The Council for the Development of French in Louisiana (CODOFIL) is a state agency within the Department of Culture, Recreation, and Tourism. Its mission is to support and promote the French language and Francophone cultures in Louisiana through education, scholarships, economic development, cultural programming, and international partnerships.
