Maaike Koffeman, lecturer in French Language and Culture at Radboud University Nijmegen, is being appointed Chevalier dans l’ordre des Palmes académiques for her efforts regarding the French language and culture in the Netherlands. She will receive this prestigious knighthood from the French ambassador on 1 October 2024.
Over the past years, Maaike Koffeman has laboured in various capacities to strengthen the position of language education in the Netherlands. In 2013, she co-founded Kenniscentrum Frankrijk-Nederland (Knowledge Centre France-Netherlands), which has since merged into Platform Frans. Among other things, she initiated the annual Day of the French Language and, under the flag of the National Platform for Languages, developed a national campaign for language study programmes at universities. She contributes to subject innovation in secondary education as a member of Meesterschapsteam Moderne Vreemde Talen (Modern Foreign Languages Mastery Team) and she actively lobbies for French and German education as part of Visiegroep Buurtalen (Neighbouring Languages Vision Group). She also appears in the media as an advocate for good language education.
On the occasion of the presentation of the Palmes académiques, the Faculty of Arts of Radboud University is organising a symposium on the added value of language proficiency in Dutch science and education. The ceremony will take place directly after.
Programme
Location: Theaterzaal C, Heyendaalseweg 141, 6525 AJ Nijmegen
3.30pm-4.45pm: Symposium Language as capital. On the value of language and culture education
- Opening by Alicia Montoya, professor of French literature at Radboud University Nijmegen
- Maaike Koffeman, “Fighting windmills? Reflections on a knighthood”
- Alisa van de Haar (Leiden University), “Language as capital – insights from the past”
- Roundtable discussion on the future of language education in the Netherlands, led by Elise Bouman (Leiden University). With Birgit Koolen, Eva Knopp, Wouter Marinissen and Amber Smits.
short break
5pm-5.30pm: Decoration ceremony
- Word of welcome by Daniël Wigboldus, chair of the Radboud University Nijmegen Executive Board
- Presentation of the Palmes académiques by Mr François Alabrune, ambassador of France to the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
There will be a reception at the nearby café The Yard after the ceremony.
All interested parties are welcome to attend the symposium and the decoration ceremony. Please register in advance.