Association Départementale des Francas du Calvados

Les Francas is a secular national federation of organizations and activities whose mission is inextricably linked to education, social welfare, and culture. It works to ensure that all children and adolescents have access to quality recreational activities, in complete independence, and in accordance with the founding principle of secularism, which, beyond tolerance, encourages understanding of others, fostering mutual respect. The Francas affirm and uphold a foundation of values in their work: humanism, freedom, solidarity, equality, peace, and secularism. In Calvados, the Francas manage recreational programs for children and teenagers, assist local authorities in developing their local educational plans (PEL), support organizations and program leaders in their educational practices, and train program leaders on current issues, including: environmental education, the influence of the media on education, education for solidarity and peace, and children’s rights based on the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (the right to education and leisure, to express oneself and to be heard on matters that concern them). Through the coordination of the departmental network of collective childcare facilities, our association is involved in training all professionals and elected officials working with children and youth in the department. Finally, to train our youth workers, we organize voluntary and professional training programs in collaboration with other departments.