On 29 February 2024 Ursula Newby received the prestigious award of  ‘Chevalier dans l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres’ from the French state. Gilles Pécout, Ambassador of France to Austria, made the official presentation at a ceremony in the French Embassy in Vienna, celebrating Ursula's commitment to the French language and culture, and to the promotion of linguistic and cultural diversity in Europe.

Ursula has made a remarkable contribution to language education in Europe and beyond, notably as Chair and Austrian delegate on the Governing Board of the European Centre for Modern Languages of the Council of Europe, as General Manager of the Austrian Association for the ECML, as coordinator of the Graz Language Network and as a language teacher in the field.

The ceremony took place in the presence of her family, close friends and long-time companions - Claire Extramiana, Head of Mission at the Délégation générale à la langue française et aux langues de France (DGLFLF) and Chair of the ECML Governing Board, as well as representatives of the ECML, the Austrian Association for the ECML and educational establishments.

Our warmest congratulations to Ursula on this well-deserved award!

Find out more about the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres: French Ministry of Culture website