The student body enjoyed a taste of international diplomacy at Tuesday's Headmaster's Gathering.

As part of an exchange of 30 French high school students, the Consul General of France in Vancouver treated the chapel audience to a speech about freedom, war, and the environment.

Although a delay in transit meant the students from Lycee Sacre Coeur hadn't actually arrived yet, Jean-Christophe Fleury began his presentation by touching on the value of such an exchange, emphasizing the friendship not only between the two schools, but also between the two countries.

Mr. Fleury suggested that Canada is fortunate to have two official languages, and that by sharing an exchange, young people are learning much more than just communication skills. "It's an extraordinary occasion to establish a privileged relationship, a privileged friendship, and to live an extraordinary experience" he said, advising students on both sides of the exchange to "be curious" and "ask questions."

Moving to human rights, Mr. Fleury touched on the Charlie Hebdo terror attacks in Paris, saying that they foregrounded the fragility of freedom, but also the support of the international community. Speaking to France's historic role in protecting freedom, he also sought to draw "a clear distinction between the possibility of speaking about every religion, which includes the possibility of criticism and humour, and on the other hand the incitement of religious hate."

Stressing the bond between France and Canada, Mr. Fleury shared a letter of support he had received from BC Premier Christy Clark shortly after the January attacks, and also touched on the sacrifices made by Canadians in France during the Second World War, saying "we will never, ever forget it."

The Consul General finished by speaking about the environment, particularly as regards the UN Climate Change Conference which takes place later this year in Paris. Mr. Fleury urged students to read and learn from scientific literature and to take environmental challenges seriously. "Make your voice heard," he said. "This is your future which is at stake." He closed by borrowing a quote from Emma Watson's address to the United Nations, saying "if not now; when? If not you; who?"

– Jon Zacks