Outreach & Activities
2004 Outreach & Activities
A Common Future. On November 26, Embassy Paris Political Officer spoke as part of a panel on "Strategies of Powers" during a conference sponsored by the Catholic Institute of Advanced Studies (ICES) in La Roche sur Yon entitled "France and the U.S.: A Common Future!". The conference, presided by former French Ambassador to the U.S. Jacques Andreani, brought together several leading U.S. and French academics and foreign policy practitioners to discuss transatlantic solidarity before an audience of over 100 political studies graduate students and others. Owen explained the philosophical and historical roots of U.S. foreign policy, and confirmed U.S. willingness to work with partner countries to confront global challenges.
Sochet des Touches. On November 20, Consul Clements was guest of honor at ceremonies in Luçon, in the Vendée region of France, dedicating a town square to Charles-René Dominique Sochet des Touches. Sochet des Touches was the French naval leader whose victory over the British fleet in Chesapeake Bay in 1781 was a turning point in the American Revolutionary War. In his address to the crowd of over 200 dignitaries and local citizens, Clements drew parallels between the courageous French soldiers and sailors who came to the aid of the fledgling American republic, and the brave Americans who fought to liberate France during World War II.
International Education Week
On November 9, our Trade Specialist spoke on graduate study opportunities and professional internships in the U.S. at the Ecole Supérieure d'Informatique, Electronique et Automatique (ESIEA) in Laval. His talk before an audience of 110 electrical engineering and law students included a comparison of corporate and university environments in the U.S. and France, and touched on the types of visas needed to study or work in the U.S.
TV Rennes appearance. On October 29, our Trade Specialist appeared on TV Rennes' "La Rendezvous de la Cité", a local cable television talk show, for a discussion of the American presence in Western France. He explained the role of APP Rennes pointing out its commercial services, assistance to American citizens and the wide variety of cultural activities it sponsors. TV Rennes reaches 75,000 homes in the Rennes area.
U.S. Presidential election. APP Rennes sponsored a series of five programs to help audiences throughout its consular district better understand the U.S. presidential election process. On October 11, our Trade Specialist addressed an audience of 50 members of the Rotary Clubs of Saint Malo and Dinard. On October 12, Consul Gary Clements spoke to over 200 high school students from two schools in Rennes. On October 14 and 15, Jerry Hagstrom of the National Journal gave lectures at the Franco-American Institute (Rennes) and the Maison des Etats-Unis (Caen) respectively. At all of the events the speakers explained the history of U.S. presidential elections, the workings of the Electoral College, and the process by which the candidates in the 2004 election were chosen. Mr. Hagstrom illustrated his lectures with examples of presidential campaign television advertisements that gave the audiences a real feel for the American experience of campaign season.
Regina Shamvili. American classical pianist Regina Shamvili performed for an appreciative full house audience at the Institut Franco-Américain in Rennes on October 5. Ms. Shamvili, who has performed in over 100 countries, often at the request of the American Embassy, announced during the concert that she was dedicating the second half of her program - a selection of piano miniatures by Russian composer Michael Glinka - to Franco-American friendship.
Sculpture Festival: Consul was the featured speaker at closing ceremonies for the 6th International Monumental Sculpture Symposium in Cerisy-la-Forêt, Lower Normandy on June 26. The symposium gathered sculptors from Japan, Bulgaria, Rumania, Germany, Spain and the United States to produce large works on site during the three-week event. This year's symposium drew inspiration from the 60th anniversary of D-Day and the liberation of France. In his remarks to the large audience of local citizens, Consul thanked the symposium organizers for their efforts to build bridges between artists from around the world. Consul also spoke at the annual reception for American artists in Rochefort-en-Terre on June 17.
Flers: Consul was the featured speaker at a ceremony inaugurating a monument to Franco-American friendship at the St. Jean Cemetery in Flers, Lower Normandy, on June 26. The monument is one of 60 that the Association Mémoire Liberté Citoyenneté is placing at key sites throughout Normandy to commemorate the 60th Anniversary of its liberation by Allied forces. In his remarks to the large audience of local people, Consul expressed his appreciation for this symbol of friendship toward the American people, which was made especially poignant by the fact that the town of Flers was nearly completely destroyed during the war. Consul also spoke at commemorative ceremonies in Barneville-Carteret on June 18.
Normandy Liberty Bell: Consul participated in the inauguration of the Normandy Liberty Bell - an exact, full-sized replica of the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia (without the crack) - dedicated by the Regional Council of Lower Normandy to the Americans who liberated Normandy during World War II. In his remarks to the audience, he expressed his hope that the people of Normandy would reflect on the long history of U.S.-France friendship whenever they heard the bell toll. The highlight of the ceremony was the ringing of the bell by Regional Council President Philippe Duron -- seven strokes, one for each letter in the word "Liberty".
Youth Debaters: Fourteen high school students from Florida and Oregon completed a series of debates with French students at the Caen Peace Memorial on June 4. Consul addressed the group during opening remarks, and praised their efforts as informal ambassadors of good will between the French and American people. The students, divided into teams, discussed current international affairs issues, and then proposed resolutions for debate by the whole group. The American students also got together with their host families on June 6 to attend the D-Day commemoration ceremonies at the Normandy American Cemetery.
D-Day: Presidents Bush and Chirac thanked American veterans for their service in World War II during a moving ceremony at the Normandy American Cemetery in Colleville on June 6. Consul was pressed into duty as an official greeter for President Chirac and his party when President Bush’s arrival was delayed by fog at the airport in Caen. Trade Specialist served as site officer for the Heads of State luncheon in Caen, and Cultural Affairs Assistant provided much appreciated assistance with credentialing and other crises. The events helped reinforce the strong ties of friendship between the French and American people.
Memorial Day: On May 30-31 Consul spoke at Memorial Day ceremonies at the Normandy and Brittany American Cemeteries for audiences of several thousands. He urged them to listen to the stories of the veterans and other survivors of the Second World War so as to gain a greater appreciation for the sacrifices made in the name of freedom.
Election lecture: On May 18 , Trade Specialist presented the U.S. presidential elections to thirty members of France-Etats-Unis of Caen. He provided a historical context of the U.S. political system, and discussed the role of political parties, the primary elections process, Election Day, and the role of the Electoral College.
World War II Commemorations in Brittany: Consul spoke at World War II commemoration ceremonies in Chevaigné and Clayes on May 8 and 9 respectively. The ceremony in Chevaigné commemorated the 60th Anniversary of the liberation of the town by Patton's Third Army, and featured a parade of vintage U.S. army vehicles. The ceremony at Clayes included the inauguration of a monument in memory of the American crew of a B17 bomber that was shot down by the German army just outside the village. The sister of one of the downed airman participated in the unveiling of the monument, and was given pieces of the aircraft recovered from the crash site in a moving ceremony.
U.S. Political System Program at Lorient: On May 4, Consul spoke to two sections of English language students at the Lycée St. Louis in Lorient on the American political system. Consul explained the system of checks and balances that prevents factions from exerting too powerful an influence over the federal government.
Lions Club Address: On May 4, Consul outlined the long history of U.S.-Brittany relations to the Rennes Lions Club. Consul noted the important contribution that Breton volunteers made to the new American nation's struggle for independence, and the many cultural exchanges that have taken place ever since. Consul also pointed out the importance of U.S.-Brittany trade to the economies of both sides.
APP Rennes Commercial Attache Defends U.S. Trade Policy: On April 29, APP Rennes Commercial Attaché gave a conference/debate on "U.S.-French Trade Relations" in Quimper at a meeting of Brittany's Foreign Trade Counselors.
Forty export counselors from local companies attended.An audience of regional trade experts gained a more accurate understanding of U.S. trade policy that will encourage them to pursue commercial linkages with the U.S. The Commercial Attaché dispelled misunderstandings on U.S. regulatory practice.
Embassy Paris Political Officer Explains U.S. Views On An Enlarging European Union In Rennes: On April 29, Embassy Officer was the featured speaker for an audience of 70 regional community leaders and students, at a "Café de l'Europe," an open discussion sponsored by the Maison de l'Europe in Rennes. Officer emphasized U.S. longstanding support for a strong and united Europe that can promote regional stability, and be a partner with the U.S. in addressing global challenges. He answered questions on USG policies, and countered criticisms of U.S. policies relating to trade, Iraq, and the Middle East.
APP Rennes Consul Kicks Off Discussion Of U.S. Culture: On April 23, APP Rennes Consul gave the opening address at a conference on "France/United States: looking each other in the eye." The event, sponsored by the Maison des Etats-Unis of Caen (MUSA), brought together academic specialists from several countries to examine the differing French and American perspectives on history, philosophy, cinema, fine arts and psychology.