News from France May 2013 a Free Monthly Review of French News & Trends
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Vol. 13.04 News From France May 2013 A free monthly review of French news & trends On World Tour, Cutting-Edge French Warship Aquitaine Stops on Virginia Coast © SIRPA Marine © SIRPA In a display of French-American military cooperation, the French multi-mission frigate Aquitaine arrived in Norfolk, Va., on April 5. Officials there to welcome the ship’s landfall included Ambassador François Delattre and General Jean-Paul Paloméros, who heads NATO’s Norfolk-based Allied Command Transformation. Interview, p. 3 From the Ambassador’s Desk: A Monthly Message From François Delattre I wish first of all to express my most sincere con- a joint press conference at the Embassy of the United dolences to and solidarity for the victims of the bomb States, where they discussed a number of issues of com- attacks in Boston. To the citizens of that city and to all mon concern to our two countries, such as proposed inside our American friends, please know that France stands plans for a free-trade agreement between the European beside you. Union and the United States. Current Events 2 April has been a typically active month in French- On April 18, Minister Moscovici and Deputy Minister Airbus Breaks Ground in Alabama American relations, with leaders from our for Development Pascal Canfin traveled Interview with the Expert 3 two countries criss-crossing the Atlantic to Washington to meet with economic General Jean-Paul Paloméros to drive productive cooperation in a vari- officials, development advocates and ety of fields. other civil society representatives dur- Special Report: Education 4 On April 4, I helped welcome Benja- ing a four-day visit as part of the Spring Bilingual Education on the Rise min Mouton, Chief Architect of Historic Meetings at the International Monetary Business & Research 6 Monuments of France, to the National Fund (IMF). Polytechnique, Stanford in New Program Building Museum, where he gave a lec- Finally, I made a three-city trip through ture called “Notre Dame: The 21st Cen- Florida on April 25 and 26. In Jacksonville Culture & Society 7 tury Restoration of an Architectural Icon.” I was able to support local investments Notre Dame Celebrates 850 Years As head architect tasked with restoring by two great French businesses, Saft and France & America 8 some of France’s most prized architec- the Buffet Group. I later traveled to the U.S. Justice Honored in Paris tural gems, Mr. Mouton and his work state house in Tallahassee to celebrate © SdG remind us of France’s rich history and its the launch of the Floridian French Cau- deep commitment to creativity and innovation. cus. There I also bestowed the Legion of Honor on six In an event which I had the honor of attending along- American veterans of World War II. In Gainesville the fol- side French and U.S. officials from public, diplomatic, and lowing day, I had the great pleasure of speaking at the News From France military spheres, the French multi-mission frigate Aquita- University of Florida’s commencement ceremony for A free monthly review of French news & trends ine dropped anchor in Norfolk, Va., on April 5. The ship’s doctoral graduates. arrival was a great occasion, demonstrating the exten- From cooperation in economic to military spheres, sive partnership between French and American forces. for achievements in culture and society, France re- NFF is also available online at: www.ambafrance-us.org French Minister of Economy and Finance Pierre mains more committed than ever to strengthening its www.facebook.com/FranceInTheUS Moscovici welcomed the newly appointed U.S. Secretary relations with its American partners in the months and @franceintheus of the Treasury, Jack Lew, to Paris on April 9. The two held years to come. NFF current events en bref Elysée Treaty Debates Puts Airbus Breaks Ground for $600 Million Plant in Mobile, Ala. Spotlight on Future Leaders In a groundbreaking ceremony on April 8, execu- these efficient aircraft,” he said. The weekend of April 13 and 14 saw tives, dignitaries, and community leaders gathered to Mr. Brégier also touched on the unique opportunities some of the country’s best college de- mark the start of construction on the Airbus aerospace that having a North American factory will offer. “When bate teams convene in Washington for company’s new $600 million manufacturing plant in Mo- this assembly line opens, we will be the only [company] the “Elysée Treaty Debates,” a tourna- bile, Ala. to assemble aircraft in Asia, the Americas and Europe.” ment of competitive dialogue on Eu- Named the A320 Family Assembly Line, the plant, set The plant will reach full productivity in 2016 when it rope’s recent history and record of peace. to open for production in 2015, will build the company’s will produce four aircraft per month. Some 1,000 jobs will The event’s central theme was simple, flagship A320 airplane and similar models. The new site be created directly through the site, and that capital will with teams asked to build arguments will expand Mobile’s Brookley Aeroplex, a hub for the boost the local economy indirectly. The new plans will for this prompt: “Resolved: The Élysée aviation industry. The site will act as the company’s first enhance Airbus’s existing presence at the hub, where its Treaty proves concerted engagement U.S.-based production facility. Engineering Center now employs a staff of 200. can render war between two former en- During a speech made on the new factory’s grounds, In addition to its presence in Alabama, Airbus Ameri- emies unthinkable.” Airbus President and CEO Fabrice Brégier elaborated on cas operates in Florida, Kansas, Virginia, and Washington, Following the 1963 signing of the the reasons for his company’s expansion. “Our customers D.C. Its headquarters are located in Herndon, Va. Elysée Treaty, through which France need more aircraft that cut fuel burn, emissions, and oper- With a current U.S. workforce of over 1,000 employees, and Germany committed to lasting and ating costs. With this assembly line we will be able to meet the Alabama production center will effectively double regular efforts for peace, Europe’s post- our customers’ needs [as well as] worldwide demand for the company’s American jobs. war period was marked by reconcilia- tion and long-term stability. In 2012, the Nobel Prize Committee awarded France and Germany a joint Nobel Peace Prize for their lasting resolution of conflict. Conducted in several rounds of elimi- nation, the debate’s eight best teams will win an all-expenses-paid study tour to France, Germany, and Belgium, slated for this spring. The embassies of France and Ger- many, together with George Washing- ton University and American Univer- sity, co-organized the debate. The year 2013 marks the “Franco-German Year,” a celebration between both countries’ governments in recognition of 50 years of peace since the Elysée Treaty’s went into effect. Promoting Innovation, Ambassador Visits Florida © T. Denson / Airbus SAS 2013 Denson / Airbus T. © From April 25 to 26, Ambassador Fran- Alongside community and business leaders, Airbus began construction for its factory in Mobile, Ala., set to open in çois Delattre traveled to northern Florida 2015. Celebrants included Victoria Corob, a local 8th-grade resident, and Fabrice Brégier, Airbus CEO, fifth from left. in a three-city visit for events honoring French-American partnership in the field of innovation. Amb. Delattre first toured the Jack- France, Louisiana Focus on Community in French Week sonville offices of the French-owned musical instrument maker Buffet Cram- In a celebration of French, Cajun, and Créole cul- siana Lt. Gov. Jay Dardenne, where he discussed his pon on April 25, before visiting the tures, La Semaine Française d’Arnaudville, or the Arn- Culture Connection initiative; volunteer projects with $200-million manufacturing plant of the audville French Week, brought individuals and orga- local high schools; and participation in Arts Advocacy French battery producer Saft. Opened in nizations to Louisiana from around the world. Day, an annual function of the Louisiana Citizens for 2011, the site produces lithium-ion bat- Held in Arnaudville, La., from April 19 to 24, La the Arts organization. The conference also hosted a teries common in electronics of all kinds, Semaine Française emphasized the idea of “creative Soirée Bretonne, a dinner event featuring music and and has created hundreds of local jobs. placemaking,” or shaping a region and its economy dance from the French region of Brittany, as well as The next day, Amb. Delattre traveled by means of culture and creativity. The week’s events Cajun and Créole parties. to the University of Florida in Gainesville, focused on creative placemaking not only in Arn- Throughout the week, participants also had the where he gave a speech about France’s audville and its French partner city, Redon, but also opportunity to attend sessions of French-language long history of commitment to innova- around the world, through speeches, panel discus- conversation. Each group had a facilitator, who led tion, especially through its cooperation sions, workshops, and cultural activities. discussions on a variety of topics such as medicinal with American companies and schools. Anne Gadwa Nicodemus, principal at Metris Arts plants native to Arnaudville, Cajun Mardi Gras tra- He also toured the University of Flor- Consulting and co-author of the Creative Placemak- ditions in Louisiana, and the history of the region’s ida’s nanotechnology research center ing Report, introduced the idea of creative placemak- breweries. and its France-Florida Research Institute, ing during a presentation in which she also explored The conference was sponsored by the Consulate which is dedicated to promoting cultural several related projects taking place around the Unit- General of France in New Orleans; the NUNU Arts and exchanges and academic partnerships ed States.