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A free monthly review of French news & trends VOL. 09.08 OCTOBER 22 G-20 Leaders Commit to International Economic Cooperation The G-20 Summit met by discouraging multi-year guaranteed bonuses and tying existing bonuses to net in Pittsburgh from revenue. The statement incorporates concerns voiced by President Sarkozy by com- September 24-25 to dis- mitting to strengthening support to populations in the poorest countries and rais- cuss the restructuring ing living standards. Emphasis is also placed on investment in clean sustainable ener- of the global economic gy sources. Overall, the newly established guidelines are expected to be phased in by system in light of the the end of 2012. recent financial crisis. Amid the revelation of the existence of a secret nuclear enrichment facility in Building upon discussions Qom, President Sarkozy, along with President Barack Obama and Prime Minister previously held in Gordon Brown, also called on Iran to take concrete and meaningful actions to answer Washington, D.C., and the concerns of the international community. London, the heads of state President Sarkozy characterized the outcome of the Summit as a "revolution." © Elysée/ L. Blevennec and government met with "What would have been considered as a provocation until only recently is now seri- French President Nicolas Sarkozy addresses heads the objective of fostering a ously looked at by the G-20," stressed the French president, referring to the Summit's of government and state at the G-20 Summit. sustainable and balanced recommendations to reform IMF policy. growth in the internation- G-20 leaders have agreed to reconvene in Canada and Korea in 2010 to continue al economy through a restructuring of the global financial architecture. their commitment to financial responsibility and sustainable growth. In 2011, France Prior to the Summit, French President Nicolas Sarkozy addressed the United Nations will host the G-20 Summit. General Assembly on September 23, articulating the need for substantial changes in com- pensation packages, the elimination of tax havens, financial support to developing coun- French Embassy on YouTube tries, the regulation of global derivatives and a focus on the threat of a "planetary ecologi- The French Embassy recently launched its first cal disaster." official YouTube channel, France in the US. A statement released from Pittsburgh on September 25 outlines the new Debuting only a month ago,the YouTube channel Framework for Strong,Sustainable and Balanced Growth developed by G-20 mem- allows viewers to watch clips ofrecent events at the bers during the Summit. Leaders agree that banks need to hold more high quality Embassy and learn more about Ambassador capital and will be submitted to a strong regulatory system. "Where reckless behav- Pierre Vimont, his staff, and French culture. ior and a lack of responsibility led to crisis, we will not allow a return to banking as YouTube is just one ofthe many social networking usual," the statement explains. The Summit recommended a shift in International sites that the French Embassy uses to communi- Monetary Fund (IMF) policy towards the financial support of government inter- cate with Francophiles across the nation. One can vention to repair the banking systems in developing countries as well as the refor- also become a "fan" of the French Embassy in the matting of IMF quotas to encourage lending to underrepresented countries. World US on Facebook, or follow on Twitter at FranceInTheUS.To check out the Embassy's Youtube leaders committed themselves to increasing bank capital and avoiding adverse risk channel, please visit: youtube.com/user/franceInTheUS. A Warm "Merci" From France to the U.S. Remembered Throughout the Years Recognizing the hardships which included items such as toys, vases, family heirlooms, and WWI and WWII medals. endured by the hardest hit The treasures of the "Merci Train" were cherished all over the United States, and today European countries after Nevada strives to properly recognize this era of WWII, compassionate international friendship in the state's history.An INSIDE American citizens organized a exhibit at the Nevada State Museum showcases substantial humanitarian relief Nevada's French boxcar and aims to increase 2 Current Events campaign in the aftermath. access to the tokens of transatlantic affection, Birth Rates in France Known as the "Friendship many of which are usually unavailable to the 3 France & America Train," the effort comprised 700 general public. According to the Nevada State Deauville Film Festival © Ames Historical Society boxcars filled with 16,000 tons Museum,"the gifts represent the best of human- 4 In Depth of donated food, clothing, med- ity;the kindness that humans can give and share The "Friendship Train" pulls away from the sta- CNRS Turns 70 tion, bearing food, medicine, and clothing for ication, and fuel sent to France. in the face of great suffering,[and] the deep con- the people of France. Originally the idea of nection possible across cultural and spatial 5 Business & Tech Washington journalist Drew Pearson, the train journeyed from California to New York, boundaries." Other states, such as New Water Conservation bringing together Americans of all walks of life to collect over $40 million in supplies that Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Utah, have also 6 Society would eventually be sent to France. displayed the remnants of their French boxcars French Mathematicians This gesture of amity was deeply appreciated by the French, who responded in kind. In in an effort to preserve these historical souvenirs. 7 Culture February 1949, the "Merci Train" (also known as le Train de la Reconnaissance, or the For more information, please visit: European Heritage "Gratitude Train") arrived in New York Harbor.Consisting of 49 boxcars — one for each of www.nevadaculture.org/museums. the 48 existing states and one to be shared between the citizens of Hawaii and Washington, Additionally,Maine is restoring the state’s Merci 8 France in America D.C. — the train's arrival was celebrated in all cities across America. They contained gifts, Car (www.railwayvillage.org). Juliette Binoche En bref [ Current Events ] READING IN LOUISIANA TURNS A NEW PAGE France in Bloom as Birth Rate Rises An abundance of cherubic, chubby-cheeked newborns can now be found in France according to the newest report from the French national statistics agency INSEE, continuing the French trend of high fertility. In 2008, a total of 834,000 French babies were born: 801,000 babies in Metropolitan France and 33,000 in French overseas departments. These numbers represent a 1.2 percent increase in French fertility since 2007 and confirm France's position as one of the most fertile nations in Europe. "This is an encouraging mes- A cluster of children and their parents sit sage... that proves the [French people's] capacity to project themselves pos- on the library floor, listening intently to the itively into the future, in spite of a context of crisis," says French Secretary storyteller as she pages through a picture of State for the Family Nadine Morano. book. The story is a colorfully illustrated France has been promoting pregnancy through family-friendly poli- folktale in which clever animal characters cies, such as labor laws that permit ample maternity and parental leave, as Birth rates blossom in France, making it one teach about the importance of courage well as legislation to allow part-time work laws for mothers. Furthermore, of the most fertile nations in Europe. and responsibility. A "teaching scholar" the government assists working parents by subsidizing much of the childcare costs for toddlers and by providing family discounts stands by, ready to lead a lively discussion about the fable's themes. It looks like any for transportation, cultural events and shopping. other reading group in Louisiana, but here The rise in birthrates could also be a result of French women having children later in life. Birth rates in women in the 30-40 there is one difference — the story is in age group have risen considerably, with more than one in five babies being born to a woman over the age of 35 in the last year. French. Prime Time Family Reading Time, Additional empirical data also reveals that French women live, on average, to be 84 — which may be anecdotal evidence support- created in 1991 by the Louisiana ing the theory that France's family-friendly policies and extensive health care afford its citizens the opportunity to enjoy a joie de Endowment for the Humanities, is vivre extending into family life. embarking on its first bilingual French- English series of reading programs this fall. Parents are invited to bring their children to engage in fun reading activities cen- Parents and Students on Board with Internat d'Excellence tered on family values and French culture. Windows of opportunity were opened to 128 students on August 30 The program provides an environment in when they were welcomed to their new school, the internat d'excellence, which parents and children can bond by or Boarding School of Excellence, in Sourdun, France. Unlike some reading together and cultivate a lifelong private schools where only a few spaces are saved for underprivileged love of learning in two languages. The cre- students, all the candidates at Sourdun are high-achieving scholarship ation of a French-English reading program students. The school has already received 1.5 million euros in funding, reflects the rich historical tradition that links France and Louisiana. The Louisiana and administrators hope that additional financial support will enable Endowment for the Humanities, along the school to reach its full capacity of approximately 500 students of with the LSU French Education Project and middle- and high-school age. "It's the dream of a golden age realized," the Consulate General of France in New said Diane Delamarre, a French teacher at the school.