The French-American Foundation is delighted to welcome Young Leader Kalyanee Mam to New York, where she will be screening her documentary "A River Changes Course" at the Museum of Modern Art from June 12-17. On the evening of Thursday, June 13, the Foundation invites you to the MoMA for a screening of the award-winning documentary at 4 PM before a reception with the acclaimed director at Shearman & Sterling at 6 PM.
In his 2013 State of the Union Address, U.S. President Barack Obama announced his intention to pursue a free-trade agreement with the European Union, rejuvenating previously failed talks and creating much discussion about the potential Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP). With economic growth sluggish in the United States and almost nonexistent in Europe, expanded trade opportunities are vital to both sides of the Atlantic. Is a free-trade agreement likely to succeed in the coming years?
Dr. Benn Steil, Senior Fellow and Director of International Economics at the Council on Foreign Relations, will join the French-American Foundation to share his recent book, The Battle of Bretton Woods: John Maynard Keynes, Harry Dexter White, and the Making of a New World Order (Princeton University Press, February 2013).
The French-American Foundation is delighted to welcome David A. Stockman – former U.S. Representative, Director of the Office of Budget and Management, and businessman – for a private dinner to discuss his new book, The Great Deformation: The Corruption of Capitalism in America, released in April 2013.
This private dinner is by invitation only. For more information, please contact Patrick Lattin at plattin@frenchamerican.org.
The U.S. Supreme Court heard two cases in March that could lead to landmark decisions redefining marriage and extending federal rights to those already engaged in same-sex marriages as the nation awaits a decision this summer. In France, the National Assembly has approved legislation to legalize same-sex marriage, as President François Hollande follows through on campaign promises leading up to a landslide victory for the Socialist Party. The law now awaits debate and a vote before the Socialist-led Senate.
Notable French businessman, economic advisor and author Alain Minc will join the French-American Foundation for a private luncheon, in which he will enter in conversation with Foundation Board Member Yves-André Istel, Senior Advisor at Rothschild, Inc. The two will discuss the French economy, European policy, and the current business climate among a number of pertinent issues fcing French society.
Bestselling author Tom Reiss will join the French-American Foundation to discuss The Black Count: Glory, Revolution, Betrayal and the Real Count of Monte Cristo, his recently released portrayal of General Thomas-Alexandre Dumas, the mix-raced son of a French nobleman and Haitian slave whose status of military hero during the French Revolutionary Wars was immortalized in the legendary works of his son, Alexandre Dumas.
Acclaimed French intellectual Patrick Weil will join the French-American Foundation for a luncheon to discuss his forthcoming work, The Sovereign Citizen, which tells a century-old history of immigration, the acquisition of citizenship, and more specifically, the policy of denaturalization that stripped U.S. citizens of their legal status for various historical reasons – from politics to ethnicity.
As the U.S. Supreme Court examines the question of affirmative action in university admission with the case of Fisher vs. the University of Texas, the French-American Foundation explores approaches to increasing educational diversity and equality of opportunity in university settings. The recently contested affirmative action is one of numerous practices that have proven a highly controversial approach to expanding the opportunities to minority groups.
Sophie Pedder, Paris Bureau Chief of The Economist, joined the French-American Foundation for a luncheon to discuss her new book, Le déni français: Les derniers enfants gâtés de l’Europe (The French Denial: The last spoiled brats in Europe), released in French in September 2012.
Following the French-American Foundation's meeting of its Board of Directors on Wednesday, February 20, the French-American Foundation is honored to welcome Dr. Richard Haass, President of the Council on Foreign Relations, for a private, off-the-record luncheon. Dr.
Charles Kolb, French-American Foundation President, spoke at “Corporate Governance in the Wake of Citizens United,” a plenary seminar organized by Confluence Philanthropy, a non-profit organization devoted to fostering mission-related investing by the philanthropic community.
Friends of the Foundation gathered for a holiday reception to look back at the successes of 2012 and to look forward to the Foundation's activities in the new year.
The support and contributions of our friends and partners are vital to the success of the Foundation's programs. Together we examined French-American relations and discussed the work the Foundation does to promote solution-oriented debate and stronger ties between leaders from both nations.
Featuring keynote remarks by Bertrand Lortholary, Consul General of France in New York.
Sophie-Caroline de Margerie, French-American Foundation Young Leader, joined the Foundation for a book talk and reception to discuss her work, American Lady: The Life of Susan Mary Alsop, recently translated into English. The biography looks into the life and influence of Alsop, a Washington socialite whose Georgetown dinner parties brought together influential figures - from Winston Churchill to the Kennedys.
Jonathan Fenby, British journalist and Managing Director of the China Team at Trusted Sources, joined the French-American Foundation to discuss his acclaimed biography of General Charles de Gaulle, The General.
As he does in this in-depth biography, Fenby explored the notion of leadership as exemplified by this iconic figure in French history and how this one man came to shape and define modern France.
Frank Vogl, co-founder of Transparency International, discussed his brand-new book “Waging War on Corruption” and talked about challenges facing France, Europe and the United States and the progress of the anti-corruption movement.
The French-American Foundation welcomed Christopher Dickey, Paris Bureau Chief of Newsweek magazine, for a webinar to discuss the new balance of political power and how the new French government promises to change the political life and policies of France and Europe. Mr. Dickey explored a number of topics, including the economy, France's international policy, and social issues.
Young New York professionals gathered for a cocktail and discussion with Vahram Muratyan, creator of the smash-hit blog and newly published book Paris versus New York: A Tally of Two Cities. Muratyan, whose work has become a favorite among lovers of Paris and New York, discussed the inspiration behind his playful comparisons of these two iconic cities.
Dr. Jean-Laurent Casanova, Professor and head of the St. Giles Laboratory of Human Genetics of Infectious Diseases at Rockefeller University, joined us to discuss his research on the role of human genetics in determining pediatric infectious diseases.
Dr. Casanova, who serves as co-director of laboratories in both France and the United States, also shared his insights on the opportunities for French-American medical and scientific research and the relationship between the two nations in this arena.
What's at stake in the 2012 French presidential elections? What are the core issues? What are the challenges for France and its diverse population? Can Sarkozy make the case for a second term? Or will François Hollande be the first Socialist president since 1995? What about the president of the Front National Marine Le Pen?
French intellectual Guy Sorman, founder of Editions Sorman, and Bret Stephens of the Wall Street Journal discussed the prospects for democracy in the Arab world in the wake of the series of Revolutions throughout Northern Africa and the Middle East.
Above: photo of Guy Sorman by Mariusz Kubik.
Eric Garcetti – President of the Los Angeles City Council, 2013 candidate for mayor of Los Angeles, and French-American Foundation Young Leader – spoke to our guests about his work to promote a more sustainable city through initiatives that promote water conservation, green buildings, and responsible development.
Jean-François Serval discussed his book, "La monnaie virtuelle qui nous fait vivre," which explores the role of 'virtual currency' – money created through financial innovation not under the control of any central bank – in the creation of instability that led to the financial crisis.
French intellectual Guy Sorman and Chinese dissident Yang Jianli tackled the issue of human rights in China, during this breakfast seminar.
This public event and reception celebrated the publication of “Transatlantic Divide–the USA Euroland Rift?” by John J. Metzler of St. John's University. Metzler discussed the book, exploring the impact of the US-led invasion of Iraq on US-European relations.
Marc Fumaroli, member of l’Académie Française and renowned scholar of 17ths-century rhetoric, gave a talk on his 2011 work, “When the World Spoke French” (Quand l’Europe parlait français), recently translated to English by French-American Foundation Translation Prize recipient and Pultizer Prize-winning poet Richard Howard. Michael Shae, Senior Editor at The New York Review of Books, moderated the discussion of Fumaroli’s work, which explored the cultural predominance of the French language throughout Europe and America in the 18th century.
Energy and climate expert Jean-Marc Jancovici – consultant, engineer, professor, and author – spoke on carbon production in modern life and its effects on the environment. Jancovici, a French-American Foundation Young Leader in 2002, founded Carbone 4, a leading consulting firm that has worked for half of the principal mulitnationals in Europe and operated in 20 countries, and developed the system of carbon footprint assessment used in France and across Europe. The conference was hosted and co-sponsored by Roche Bobois, environmentally conscious designer of fine furnishings.
The French-American Foundation and the Cultural Services of the French Embassy in the U.S. hosted a discussion with French author Edouard Valdman. Mr. Valdman presented his book "Idéalisme français, pragmatisme américain: une nécessaire union" ("French Idealism, American Pragmatism: A Necessary Union").
This event was part of the Tuck Speaker Series, an ongoing series that provides a forum for French and American policy-makers, experts, business leaders, and journalists to discuss issues of transatlantic concern.
Criminal defense lawyer Stanley S. Arkin, French political scientist Denis Lacorne and international lawyer Daniel Schimmel shed light on the French and American judicial mechanisms and helped clarify the political and cultural contexts in the two countries.
This event was part of the Tuck Speaker Series, an ongoing series that provides a forum for French and American policy-makers, experts, business leaders, and journalists to discuss issues of transatlantic concern.
The French-American Foundation and the Center for Transatlantic Relations organized a luncheon with His Excellency François Delattre, Ambassador to France in the United States, in order to discuss the relationship and partnership between France and the United States.
Nicolas Tenzer delivered a talk about the global trends and challenges awaiting the world in the 2030s.
Moderated by Jean-Luc Marret, Senior Fellow at the Center for Transatlantic Relations, this talk by Nicolas Tenzer addressed the role France will take in 2030 and beyond.
Romain Huret, French historian and specialist on the United States, delivered a talk entitled "Katrina, 2005: the hurricane, the State, and the poor in the United States." The discussion was Part One of Catastrophe, a two-part event series organized in partnership with the Villa Gillet. Click here for Part Two.
This talk was part of the French-American Foundation Breakfast Series, a program of exclusive, invite-only seminars designed to promote understanding and cooperation on issues of common concern for France and the United States.
Jean-Francois Serval, President of Serval & Associés, and Yves-Andre Istel, Senior Advisor at Rothschild Inc., were invited to discuss the book “La monnaie virtuelle qui nous fait vivre” ("Virtual Currency"), a unique synthesis of contemporary monetary issues written by Mr. Serval and Jean-Pascal Tranié.
Bruno Vinciguerra, Executive Vice President and CEO of Sotheby's, delivered a presentation on the impact of the global financial crisis on the international art market, and shared his thoughts on the current state of the art market.
This event was part of the Tuck Speaker Series, an ongoing series that provides a forum for French and American policy-makers, experts, business leaders, and journalists to discuss issues of transatlantic concern.
Peter Goldmark, former director of the Climate and Air program for Environmental Defense Fund, shared his insights and expertise on global warming and U.S. and European policies during a presentation entitled "The Race to Avoid Frying the Planet”.
This talk was part of the French-American Foundation Breakfast Series, a program of exclusive, invite-only seminars designed to promote understanding and cooperation on issues of common concern for France and the United States.
