Outreach & Activities
2006 Outreach and Activities
The following is not meant to be an exhaustive account of the wide variety of activities in which APP Rennes is involved. Instead, it is intended to give readers an idea of the types of activities supported by APP Rennes, and to encourage French and American partners to come up with additional ideas for other projects furthering Franco-American relations.
The APP staff will be pleased to take part in discussions on many different aspects of American life. You may call our office on 02.99.23.44.09.65 in order to get further information.”
Celebrating Sister Cities in Caen
APP Rennes helped support several activities honoring the 15th anniversary of Caen’s sister city ties to Alexandria, VA, and Nashville, TN in early December. We provided a poster show depicting American diversity “24/7” as a backdrop to the official functions attended by the mayors of Alexandria and Nashville. State Department intern and APP Rennes’ cultural affairs specialist shared with local children the fun to be had decorating gingerbread houses and Christmas cookies in a December 14 program, which also showcased local Americans sharing their experience of US holiday traditions. This effort helped raise the profile of the sister city relationship and contributed to a better understanding of close cultural cooperation between France and the U.S. at a local level.
Benjamin Franklin Feted in Auray: On December 4th, Embassy Paris Vice Consul gave a speech to over 200 people to celebrate Benjamin Franklin’s arrival in France, where he made first landfall in Auray, 230 years ago.
Ambassador Stapleton Attends de Tocqueville Ceremony
Ambassador Stapleton joined former Secretary of State Colin Powell when the latter received the Prix de Tocqueville award during a November 29 ceremony at the de Tocqueville estate. While in the Manche Department, the Ambassador also visited an Areva nuclear wastewater treatment site and spoke to students at a Cherbourg lycée.
Consular Officer Speaks on Cultural Diplomacy
A consular officer from the U.S. Embassy spoke to 80 graduate students at University of Nantes on the importance of cultural diplomacy in a November 8 talk.
US-EU relations
On October 20, Consul, joined by State Department intern, spoke to students and teachers at the Institut Catholique d’Etudes Superieures in La Roche Sur Yon on “U.S. Relations with France and the E.U.”
Strong Interest in US Midterm Elections
On October 19, the Consul outlined the issues in play during the upcoming US midterm elections at the monthly meeting of “Ligue de l’Enseignement,” a group of elementary and secondary school teachers.
Wright Brothers Plane Flies in Le Mans
On October 17, the Consul met with economic and political leaders in Le Mans. The day’s highlight was a demonstration flight made by a replica of the plane that Wilbur Wright flew in Le Mans in 1908. The plane, built by dedicated local volunteers, will be on display at the Paris Airshow in June 2007. It will serve as the centerpiece of 2008 centennial celebrations marking the Wright Brothers stay in Le Mans.
US Expert Speaks on Iraqi Court System
Lt. Colonel Resnick, judge-advocate for the US Army, gave a conference before a 200 person audience on October 12 at the Caen Peace Memorial in Normandy. He spoke about his experiences in helping create a court system in Fallujah within the existing Iraqi legal framework.
Consular Corps Dinner
The Consul joined her counterparts in Nantes on October 9 at a dinner hosted by Socialist Deputé/Maire Jean Marc Ayrault.
Author James Sallis Speaks on the Creative Process
American author James Sallis shared his experience as a writer with an audience at the Anglophone Library in Angers on October 3.
Fifth Anniversary of 9/11
The Consul spoke at a 9/11 commemoration hosted by the Pays de la Loire Regional Council in Nantes on September 21.
50th Anniversary of French-American Hospital in St. Lo
On September 16, the Consul delivered remarks in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the construction of the France-US Memorial Hospital in St. Lo, Normandy. The hospital was constructed with funds donated after WWII by private US citizens.
Promoting University Studies in the US
The Consul gave several presentations on studying and internship opportunities in the U.S. in conjunction with the back-to-school “rentree” period in September.
Consul Speaks to Guerande Rotary Club on Diplomacy and Bilateral Relations
The Consul outlined U.S. diplomatic priorities and highlighted close bilateral relations in a talk to members of the Rotary Club of Guerande on July 25.
Honoring a WWII Aviator: On July 14, the Consul spoke at a ceremony held by the town of Tresson in Pays de la Loire to honor a WWII aviator who died in 1944 while on a bombing mission. In front of a 150 person crowd, which included seven U.S.-based members of the aviator's family, the Consul evoked the patriotic exploits of this young pilot as representing the best of American ideals.
Benjamin Franklin Honored at July 4 Celebration: American Presence Post Rennes highlighted the tercentennial of Benjamin Franklin’s birth during its July 4 celebration, held in Rennes City Hall.
Celebrating Breton Emigration, Franco-American ties: The Consul spoke at the opening of an exhibit on the “Extraordinary Breton Emigration Around the World” on June 26 in Chateauneuf-Du-Faou (Brittany).
Honoring a WWII Aviator: On June 11, the Consul spoke at a ceremony held by the town of Chavagne in Brittany to honor a WWII aviator who died in 1944 while on a bombing mission. She applauded the efforts of the town's citizens to preserve the memory of the airman's sacrifice, a sentiment shared by eight Wisconsin-based members of the aviator's family who also attended the remembrance.
Utah Beach D-Day Commemoration: On June 6, Consul addressed the crowd attending the ceremony at Utah Beach organized to honor the Allied troops who participated in the D-Day landing in 1944. In the presence of several WWII veterans and a Franco-American delegation that included General Eisenhower's granddaughter, she thanked the organizers for their steadfast commitment to honoring those who gave their lives to secure a free and peaceful Europe.
Supporting Sister Cities: On June 2, the Consul unveiled a traffic circle in the town of Fontenay-le-Comte in Pays de la Loire, which was dedicated in honor of the town's sister city of Palatine, Illinois.
Memorial Day Commemorations: On May 28, the Consul addressed large audiences at the American Cemeteries in Normandy and Brittany France.
Explaining Commercial Diplomacy to U.S. Business Students: On May 17th, Consul Murray addressed a group of 30 University of Cincinnati business students participating in an exchange program at Audencia, one of France’s top-ranked management schools, based in Nantes. The Consul gave an overview of the bilateral economic relationship, then described how U.S. missions overseas engage in commercial diplomacy on behalf of U.S. companies.
U.S. Economist Compares U.S., European Models at Business School: On May 16th, Phillip Swagel, formerly chief of staff at the White House Council of Economic Advisers and now with the American Enterprise Institute, offered students at the Ecole Superior de Commerce a comparison of the U.S. and French approaches to stimulating economic growth. Of particular interest was his analysis of how differences in French and U.S. labor law might account for the difference in U.S. and French growth rates over the past decade. The audience found particularly fascinating Mr. Swagel’s first-hand accounts of how policy is made in the White House.
CIEE Celebrates 35 Years in Rennes: The Council on International Educational Exchanged hosted a celebratory cocktail for city officials, host families, and college exchange students on May 10 to mark the 35th anniversary of its Rennes program. The Consul congratulated both the host families and the students for their personal contributions to forming closer ties between the U.S. and France.
Life in the USA at “Café Citoyen”: On May 9, the Consul answered questions at an informal gathering of about 45 residents of the Rennes’ Quartier 7 about current trends and public attitudes in the U.S.
Ambassador Stapleton Visits St. Cyr, Avranches, le Mont Saint Michel: APP Rennes helped support Ambassador Stapleton during his return visit to Brittany and Normandy in April. On April 20, he delivered a speech entitled “America’s Vision on Security and Defense” to an audience of 800 cadets at St. Cyr, France’s premier military academy. The following day, he paid an official visit to the Manche province of eastern Normandy, where local officials in Avranches and Mont St. Michel gave him a warm welcome. The Ambassador and Mrs. Stapleton laid wreaths on the graves of American servicemen at the Brittany- American cemetery near St. James during the course of their official visit.
Celebrating Ben Franklin’s 300th Birthday: The Consul attended an April 12 celebration of Benjamin Franklin’s life hosted by the “France Etats-Unis” friendship group in Caen, Normandy. Pierre Christian Taittinger, vice president of “France Etats-Unis, gave a passionate talk in which he described Benjamin Franklin as the quintessential American. Taittinger discussed Franklin’s appreciation for French culture, and his extraordinary influence on the Frenchmen he encountered.
Explaining Transformational Diplomacy to French Diplomats: The Consul described the key elements of Secretary Rice’s concept of transformational diplomacy to a class of 35 French diplomats at a Ministry of Foreign Affairs training center in Nantes on April 14.
Debunking Globalization Myths: The Consul participated in a day-long symposium on globalization at Lycee de la Salle in Rennes on April 7.
Rennes-Rochester Photo Exhibit: Commercial Specialist Beaty, who also serves as president of the Rennes-Rochester Sister City Committee, delivered the opening remarks at a photo exhibit of “Images of Rochester” at the Franco-American Institute on April 13.
Promoting U.S. Graduate Studies and Internships: Consul spoke on graduate study opportunities and professional internships in the U.S. to an audience of 120 people at a Rotary International event in Rennes on April 13.
Supporting High School Exchange Programs: The Consul participated in two separate receptions to support linkages between French lycées and U.S. high schools. An April 4 celebration in Caen brought together students from Moreno Valley High School in California with Lycée Malherbe, while an April 14 event in Rennes united students from Mascanomet High School, outside of Boston, with Lycée Jean Mace. The support from the local communities, including home stays, was superb.
U.S. Ambassador’s visits to St. Cyr and Lower Normandy, April 20, 2006.
Rennes City Hall Hosts Rochester Students: APP Rennes joined Deputy Mayor Roselyne Lefrançois in welcoming 37 high school students from Rochester, New York during a reception March 20. The students will spend a week with host families and meet with students from their partner school, Lycée Bréquigny. Rennes and Rochester have a sister city relationship that dates back to 1958. The Rennes-Rochester Sister City Committee is also hosting a booth at the Rennes International Fair from March 18-26.
Consul Discusses Doha Round Negotiations at International Atlantic Meeting: APP Rennes' Consul outlined the current state of negotiations in the WTO's Doha round in a March 16 talk at the annual International Atlantic Meeting sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Nantes.
APP Rennes launches "The Landmarks of New York" in Nantes: On March 15, the consul spoke at the inauguration of the Embassy- sponsored photo exhibit, "The Landmarks of New York." The exhibit of 80 black and white photos of historic buildings in New York is on display at the World Trade Center in Nantes through March 27.
Consul Makes Official Visit to Quimper: The Consul made her first visit to Quimper on March 14. She paid courtesy calls on Mayor and Senator Alain Gérard and Prefet Friederici. The President of the Regional Council Pierre Maille hosted a lunch attended by local business leaders. The Consul also visited a manufacturing plant belonging to the U.S. firm Fleetguard and spoke with the local press.
Consul Visits Students in Normandy: Consul spoke about life in the United States in classroom talks with students from St. Aubin sur Mer, Langrune sur Mer, and Herouetteville on March 13. Students from St. Aubin and Langrune will participate in an exchange program with a bilingual school in San Francisco later this spring.
Sending Off "The Pride of Baltimore": The Mayor of St. Nazaire, the Prefect and Consul helped celebrate the completion of repair work on the U.S. clipper ship The Pride of Baltimore II in St. Nazaire port on March 10. The wooden ship, a goodwill sailing ambassador for the State of Maryland, lost her masts in a squall off the coast of France on September 5 and underwent six months of extensive repairs in this port city. (See http://www.pride2.org/ for more info.)
Studying in the U.S.: On March 10, Commercial Specialist gave a talk on graduate studies in the U.S. hosted by the Caen-Alexandria Sister City Committee.
Consul Meets American Exchange Students: On February 14, the Consul met with 60 U.S. students participating in a study abroad program run by IES in Nantes. She provided them an overview of French-U.S. bilateral relations, and talked about careers in the Foreign Service.
Celebrating Black History Month: Commercial Specialist delivered remarks on Martin Luther King and Rosa Parks prior to a showing of the video “The Legacy of Rosa Parks” at the Anglophone Library in Angers February 14.
Commercial Visit to Lorient: The Mayor of Lorient hosted the Embassy’s Minister Counselor for Commercial Affairs, the Consul, and Commercial Specialist at a lunch with the city’s key economic players on February 10. The visit also included a briefing from Audelor, the regional’s economic development agency, a tour of a project to revitalize WWII-era submarine yards, and a visit to the DCN shipyard.
Ambassador Stapleton Visit to Rennes : On February 9th, Ambassador Stapleton helped inaugurate a new Motorola research and development center in Rennes. The Ambassador also met with 60 U.S. high school students participating in the “School Year Abroad” program, and visited the Museum des Beaux Arts, a member of the French Regional American Museum Exchange (FRAME) program.
Fulbright Scholars Mid-Term Meeting: For the third consecutive year, the American Fulbright Scholars in France chose Rennes as the site of the annual mid-term meeting, held February 1-3. In addition to presenting their work to their colleagues, the scholars attended a reception in their honor at Rennes City Hall, and participated in a presentation on the French regional press hosted by Ouest France newspaper. APP Rennes assisted the Fulbright Commission with arrangements for the visit.
Competition Policy in the United States: John Martin, a Fulbright recipient with experience at the Federal Trade Commission, spoke on competition policy at the Institut de Gestion de Rennes (IGR) on January 31.
Commemorating Rosa Parks: Commercial Specialist gave a talk January 27 entitled "Rosa Parks: a Great American," before an audience of 70 French high-school students enrolled in the Anglo-American section of Rennes' Ile-de-France High School.
DCM Hofmann Visit to Rennes: Deputy Chief of Mission Karl Hofmann spoke to 150 students at the Institut des Etudes Politiques in Rennes on January 26 on the topic of “Models of Integration in the U.S.” While in Rennes, Mr. Hofmann also hosted a lunch for International Visitor alumni and visited the Franco-American Institute.
Studying in the U.S.: On January 18, Commercial Specialist gave a talk on graduate studies in the U.S. at the Louis de Broglie Engineering Institute.