This year’s France–Atlanta program, the fifth bringing together French and local experts and enthusiasts in a wide array of fields, reinforced the ties between Atlanta’s sister-city relationship with Toulouse, France, which will celebrate its 40th anniversary next year.
During the two-week series of events, Oct. 16-30, a delegation from Toulouse including the newly elected Municipal Counselor Aviv Zonabend, met with representatives of Atlanta’s Office of International Affairs and Invest Atlanta.
A spokesperson for France’s consulate general told Global Atlanta that discussions are underway concerning the feasibility of a trade mission to be led by Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed to Toulouse next year and the visit of Toulouse Mayor Jean-Luc Moudenc to Atlanta during France-Atlanta 2015.
The program featured more than 20 events related to mutual interests in science, business, culture and humanitarian affairs including workshops on drones and massive open online courses or MOOCs.
The prospects for stem cell research of the International Associated Laboratory established by INSERM, a French health and medical research institute, and Emory University’s Winship Cancer Institute were reviewed positively.
Scientific events held at the Georgia Institute of Technology dealing with French space activities and research at the SOLEIL synchrotron (particle accelerator) facility and a photo exhibition by Vincent Moncroge showcasing the SOLEIL facility near Paris attracted numerous participants.
UbiFrance, a government agency which assists French companies find North American partners, brought a trade mission composed of companies specializing in e-learning to meet with American counterparts.
In addition, the Atlanta-based chapter of the French-American Chamber of Commerce hosted its 10th Crystal Peach Awards, during which it recognized inbound and outbound investments to and from France and the U.S. Southeast.
Ingenico Group, a French payments company with extensive U.S. operations and Omni Tech Trans LLC, an Atlanta-based firm with its European headquarters in Sophia Antipolis, France, received economic development awards. Premier Packaging Products Inc. based in Covington received the chamber’s innovation award.
Ralph Ankri, director of the Orange Labs program SA4LCI, a division of the French telecommunications company Orange, met with officials from Georgia Tech, the Carter Center and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention regarding possible projects of cooperation in French-speaking African countries.
The SA4LCI division has extensive operations in Asia, the Middle East and Africa providing health, education and agricultural services.
Cultural events this year included artistic exchanges in the mediums of contemporary dance, digital art, cinema and graphic design.
More than 350 local students of French had the opportunity to learn how their language skills could be used professionally through presentations by staff of the Carter Center, MedShare International and CARE, who also provided insights into the operations of non-governmental organizations.
To learn more about France Atlanta 2014, contact Heather Kircher Clave by email at heather.kircher@diplomatie.gouv.fr or call (404) 495-1682.
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