Dear Members & Friends of FAF – France,

Before the summer break (for those of you who may take one), we wanted to take this opportunity to bring you up to date on the latest activities and projects of the French-American Foundation – France.

Membership:

Below you will see a number of new and exciting initiatives undertaken by the French-American Foundation – France (FAF –France).  Your support and active participation are essential to our development and success. If you are already a member of FAF – France, we thank you for the trust that you have placed in us.  If you are not yet a member, we hope that you will seize the occasion to join.  Below are the links for the membership information:

 Please use the links below to visit our web site to download the membership forms:

http://www.french-american.org/adhesion/personne-morale.html

http://www.french-american.org/adhesion/individuelle.html

We are extremely pleased to welcome four new corporate members, Fédération Nationale des Caissesd’Epargne, Groupe Arnault, Merrill Lynch Pierce Fenner & Smith SA and Vivendi. If you or your company is interested in joining FAF –France, please do not hesitate to contact us. 

We thank you for your interest and support!

New Web site / Blog:  www.french-american.org

FAF – France is very excited to announce the launch of its new web site.  We hope that you will take the time to explore this attractive new site that is loaded with information on all of our events and activities. 

-        Take the time to read our report on “Diversity in the Workplace II”: - FRENCH / ENGLISHwith the results from our last study trip to New York with representatives from French companies.

-        Discover the 2008 Class of Young Leaders :  http://www.french-american.org/leadership/young-leaders/youngleaders-2008.html.

-        Have a look at our conclusions resulting from our trip to California about Climate Change (Fighting Climate Change : California’s Strategies)on http://www.french-american.org/programmes/energie-environnement/2007-voyage-etude-energie.html.

-        Review all of the major highlights from last year in our 2007 Annual Report: http://www.french-american.org/files/faf-final-version.pdf ...

As of now, you can visit our Blog and weigh in on the subjects of the day which we will be bringing to you on a regular basis:

http://faffrance.wordpress.com/

 FAF – France has joined in the technological age, and now you can also find us on:

Dailymotion link for our video:

http://www.dailymotion.com/FrenchAmericanFoundation/video/10445386

facebook Fan page link :

http://www.new.facebook.com/pages/French-American-Foundation-France/23989741

779?ref=mf#/pages/French-American-Foundation-France/23989741779

facebook Group link:

http://www.new.facebook.com/group.php?gid=21358972637#/group.php?gid=21358972637   

 We would like to take this occasion to thank Noah Finn, of Ruder Finn; Julien Aubier, an Internet Strategy Consultant and FAF member who has volunteered his time and expertise; and Jérémy Boissinot, our summer intern, who brings all of the know-how of his generation to advancing this site.

 We look forward to seeing you regularly not only at our events but on the web too! Your comments and suggestions are most welcome.  

UPCOMING EVENTS:

A number of very exciting projects and events are in the works for the coming fall season:

- U.S. Presidential Elections Conference: “The CAMPAIGN!” – September 10^th  

On the heels of the national party conventions this summer, (Democrats à Denver: Aug 25 – 28 & Republicans à Minneapolis: Sept 1 – 4), we will introduce you to: “The CAMPAIGN!”, a Conference on the U.S. Presidential Elections 2008, in partnership with the German Marshall Fund, l’Université de Paris I – and the Chaire des Amériques – Panthéon -Sorbonne, and the U.S. Embassy in France.

Come and interact with an impressive group of renowned American and French experts on the main issues of the campaigns of both candidates and parties on September 10 from 2.30PM to 8PM in the Amphitheatre Richelieu of the Sorbonne. U.S. Ambassador Craig R. Stapleton will officially open the conference. We look forward to your presence, so please Save the Date and pass on the information to your friends and contacts.  An official invitation will follow in mid August.  See you there!

- As we have done throughout the primaries, the French American Foundation – France will continue to inform and accompany you throughout the election process.  We are pleased to pursue our US Elections partnership with the FNAC, and a very exciting month of October is in store as we continue to focus on this historical election!

- GALA Dinner – November 18th:

SAVE THE DATE! SAVE THE DATE ! SAVE THE DATE!

We hope that you will join us for FAF – Franc’s Annual Gala Dinner on November 18^th at the InterContinental Paris le Grand in the Salon Opéra.  We are very excited to announce that this year’s Keynote Speaker will be John A. Thain, Chairman & CEO of Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.  US Ambassador Craig R. Stapleton will also receive a special tribute at this event which will be rendered by Jean-David Levitte, Conseiller diplomatique duPrésident de la République and the former Ambassador of France to the US.

We hope that you will join us for this most exciting and glamorous evening in support of the programs of the French-American Foundation – France.  Guests will also be treated to an interesting array of gifts in the Silent and Live Auctions.  If you would like to sponsor a table or donate an item to the Auctions, please don’t hesitate to contact: Janet Steinmetzer, Email:  janet.steinmetzer@french-american.org   Tel.: 01 45 77 31 74.

Please consult the web site for further information on the GALA:  http://www.french-american.org/programmes/gala-2008.html

- Obliques: US Ambassador’s Residence – September 16^th

Obliques, FAF – France’s “Young Professionals Network” will kick off the fall season in style, with a special encounter with the US Ambassador Craig R. Stapleton, at his residence on September 16^th.  Please mark your calendars now.  Invitations will follow.

Obliques, the Young Professionals Network, is sponsored by Sodexo, whom we thank for their support.

- EU / NATO Study:

This fall, FAF – France is also undertaking an important new initiative with Sciences Po. We will be providing independent study project to a select group of students on the evolving relationship between NATO and an eventual EU security force.  We will be working with NATO and various companies involved in the Defence sector on this project. We look forward to updating you as the project develops.

- Study Trip :  “Venture Philantropy in the U.S.” – November 29 – December 6

This Study Trip will focus on encounters / debates with donors and investors active in the domain of Venture Philanthropy.  We will meet with the associations, foundations, and specialized funds, large financial institutions whose work in this sector will allow the group to have a better understanding of the practices and evolving initiatives which reunite social, managerial skills, and capital risk. 

We will concentrate on five areas of social and economic investment: education, health, Clean-Tech, community development and actions in developing and emerging nations. The meetings with the major actors in this field in New York, Washington and San Francisco will allow the members of our delegation to engage in a privileged exchange at the highest levels of French and American interests in this new area of philanthropy. 

For more information regarding the program and cost of this study trip, please contact Michel Garcin, Email: michel.garcin@french-american.org

- Conference “ How to bridge the gap between the West and the Arabo-Islamic world: a French-American Dialogue”– December 11-13

Actively contributing to the dialogue between the West and the Arabo-Islamic world has been set by the Foundation as a priority for the year 2008. This effort will be pursued and deepened over the next years.  The conference will explore the grounds for the recreation of a new, positive relationship between these two worlds, based on trust, mutual understanding,  and show the value of the French-American partnership in that enterprise.  For more information regarding the conference, please contact Zenab Choug. Email: zenab.choug@french-american.org

- Conference with Stanford University : Forum on Climate Change: “When Business and Politicians meet Academia: short term responses to climate change”- Spring 2009

French-American Foundation - France – France / Stanford University / Les Amisdu Centre France Stanford – Major conference with Top US and French Scholars, US and French

business and political leaders.

As you can see from the list of past events below, this has already been a very active year, and we look forward to seeing you back for an even more exciting fall season. 

We wish you and your families a most enjoyable and relaxing summer! 

Best regards,

Janet Steinmetzer

 Director of Development

 French-American Foundation - France

FAF – France Past Events – March- July 2008:

The past few months have been busier than ever as you can see from the recap of the activities below:

March 4                               Breakfast on The Impact of Deregulation on the Growth of the Energy Markets: Best Practices in a Transatlantic Perspective, Rebecca Klein, Former chairman of the Texas Public Utility Commission and currently of Counsel at Loeffler Tuggey Pauerstein Rosenthal LLP and Principal at RA Klein & Co, Eric Dyèvre, Commissionner of the Commission de Régulation de l’Energie and Ulrik Stridbaek, Senior Policy Advisor, Electricity Markets at the IEA, 8.30-10.00

March 26                              FAF – France / FNAC Forum des Ternes: U.S. Elections series

March 31                            Obliques:Meeting with Sarah Daniel, War Reporter at Le Nouvel Observateur

April 2                                  Conference in partnership with the University of Paris I and the Chaire des Amériques of the University of Paris I – Panthéon-Sorbonne with Stephen Aron, Professor of History at UCLA ; Executive Director of the Autry National Center ; Editor in Chief of Convergence Magazine, who will speak on: “Can’t we all get along: Conflict and Concord at the American Confluence” – Presided by Annick Foucrier, Directrice du Centre de Recherches d’Histoire Nord-Américaine (CRHNA) et Professeur àl’Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne.

April 7                                 Conference in partnership with France-Amériques with special guest, Louis Gallois, Executive President EADS, who will address “The Aeronautic Industry and Transatlantic Cooperation”,France-Amériques

April 9                                 Morning Panel discussion with Paul Hollander, Author and Scholar, Associate at The Davis Center for Russian and Eurasian Studies, Harvard University as well as Professor at University of Massachusetts at Amherst in association with the U.S. Embassy, La Chaire des Amériques - Paris I– The leading scholar on anti-Americanism, Dr. Hollander and the panel will explore key strategic themes such as: meeting the challenge of terrorism; democracy, rule of law and civil society and evolving security relationships, Centre Panthéon

April 9                                  Diversity Conference at L’Oreal. Follow-up on the diversity study trip, “Diversity in the Workplace II”, organized in December 2007 in New York

April 10-11                          Active support and participation in the Seminar on Unconventional Crises, Unconventional Responses: Reforming Leadership in the Age of Catastrophic Crises and “Hypercomplexity”, with the Center for Transatlantic Relations (CTR/SAIS), Washington, DC. – By invitation only

April 23                               Panel “Innovation: Financing Research and Innovative Companies – an example from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania” with Jeanne R. O’Connor, V.P. and Chief Business Development Officer – Select Greater Philadelphia; and R. Chadwick Paul, Jr. CEO Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Northeastern Pennsylvania; in association with the U.S Embassy and France-Amériques, at France-Amériques

April 24                               Meeting “Promoting diversity in the workplace, achievements and challenges” with Carmen Smith, Vice President of Global strategies for Diversity and Inclusion, Walt Disney Parks and Resort, at Les Editeurs

April 29                                FNAC : Election series : La question raciale aux Etats Unis

May 21                                  FNAC : Election series : « Pourquoi la France se passionne-t-elle pour les élections américaines ?»

May 22                                 Conference “Obama, McCain, Clinton: What Next?” with Chip Seward, Former Chair of the French Branch of Democrats Abroad, George Yates, Chair of the French Branch of the Republicans Abroad, Constance Borde, Vice President of Democrats Abroad and Superdelegate, Zachary Miller, Chairman of the Minority Caucus of Democrats Abroad France; Former Vice Chair of Democrats Abroad, France; Organizer of the Obama Campaign in France, Ted Stanger, Journalist, at Sciences Po, 19h15

May 28                                 Breakfast with Harold Ford, Jr., Vice-Chairman of Merrill Lynch and Chairman of the Democratic Leadership Council in partnership with Merrill Lynch –Members only.

May 28                                  Luncheon in honor of a delegation Congressional Staff with invited French company representatives – hosted by UbiFrance and the CAP – Ministère des Affaires étrangères eteuropéennes and in partnership with the French Embassy in Washington DC

May 28                                  Committee on Foreign Direct Investment in the United States (CFIUS) Update –

May 29                                 Breakfast on Global Nuclear Energy Outlook: Technological and Regulatory Challenges and Opportunities, with James Bresee, Senior Technology Specialist, Advanced Fuel Cycle Initiative, Global Nuclear Energy Partnership, U.S. Department of Energy, Gérald Ouzanian, Director, International Affairs, ANDRA (French National Agency for Management of Radioactive Wastes) andThierry Dujardin, Deputy Director for Science and Development at the Nuclear Energy Agency. The talks will be moderated by Maureen Clapper,Science Advisor for Energy Affairs US Mission to the OECD at the IESA, Institut d’Etudes Supérieures des Arts

May 29                                  Lunch with Bernard Liautaud, co-founder, Business Objects, in partnership with the American Chamber of Commence.

June 3                                  Dinner with Rick Perry, Governor of Texas (by invitation only)

June 15                                Conference “Le design américain, naissance, grandeur et décadence de la société de consommation”with Jean-Bernard Hebey, important design collector in partnership with ARCURIAL Briest – Le Fur – Poulain – F. Tajan

June 18                                Conference with Merrill Lynch on Sustainable Development / Climate Change issues. With Clara Gaymard, CEO of GE France, Jean-Michel Germa, CEO of La Compagnie du Vent, Genevieve Ferone, Director Sustainable Development, Veolia, Guillaume Sainteny, Director of the Economic studies and Environmental assessment, French Ministry of Ecology, and the manager of the Merrill LIIF New Energy Blackrock. JerômeSack,Merrill Lynch, Director of Equity markets, will moderate. By invitation only.

June 19 - 20                        Active support to the Conferenceorganized by Centre d’Histoire de Sciences Po : « Le retour à l’intime au sortir de la guerre. De la première guerre mondiale à nos jours »

June 25                                 FAF – France GeneralAssembly, followed by a cocktail.

June 26                                 Conference: Corporate Social Responsibility-in partnership with AmCham & Caux Round Table

June 27 – 28                        French-American Conference of Entrepreneurs (FACE) with Advancia and the CCIP

June  30                               Meeting “Obliques” with Françoise Crouïgneau, Rédactrice en chef « International », Les Echos.

June 30                                  Conference « Justice et Politique aux Etats-Unis » with Justice Stephen G. Breyer, Membre de la Cour Suprême des Etats-Unis, in association withthe US Embassy andThe American University of Paris

July 3                                    Morning conference on “Overview of Franco-American Scientific Cooperation with Anita Eisenstadt Senior Foreign Affairs Officer in the Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs, Department of State David Stonner Head, National Science Foundation, Europe Office William Barry NASA European Representative.

July 3                                   Young Leaders reception at the Ministère des Affaires étrangères et européennes – Young Leaders and invited guests only