Bonne Année! All good wishes for the New Year from the Federation!
As we begin 2012, plans are in full swing in Paris for the 34th “rencontres internationales de l’Alliance française”, hosted by the Fondation and entitled, “Vers Quoi”. Beginning on Monday, January 30th, through February 1st, the opportunity to hear excellent speakers, have round table discussions and plenary sessions will all be in the program of the Colloque. We hope that many of you have reserved a space to join the Federation chapters in Paris and we look forward to greeting you there.
Downtown Providence by night!
Looking ahead, we will congregate in New England in Autumn. Our Assemblée Générale will be in Providence, Rhode Island, and we will be hosted by the local chapter and its President, Dominique Gregoire, who is also a Board Member of the Federation. There cannot be a more beautiful time to be in the Northeast where the Autumn colors dress the trees and the possible warmth of an Indian Summer day may greet us.
Plans are being confirmed to hold the meeting at the Westin Hotel, in the middle of downtown, giving all of us a perfect central location. Don’t forget that Providence played a significant role in the history of our American Revolution and Rochambeau, Commander in Chief of the French Expeditionary Force, and his troops were billeted at an encampment site on the grounds of what is, today, Brown University.
It is never too early to start planning for workshops, speakers and our “One Book One Federation”, so send us your thoughts and suggestions as we begin to look ahead to October 12-15, 2012.
A bientôt,
Mimi Gregory, President, Federation of Alliances Françaises USA
Becca Brodarick and Charles Coulon, Co-Chairs, Convention and Annual Meeting Planning Committee
Mimi Gregory - President
For more than one hundred years, the Federation of Alliances Françaises USA has served as a bridge between the Alliances in the United States and the Fondation Alliance Française in Paris. In our ever changing world, this partnership echoes the historical friendship between the United States and France; and the sustained mission we share: to support French language and French speaking cultures as they are practiced around the globe.
The Federation is dedicated to the support of the American network which, in turn, nourishes and educates its members and constituents. Inclusive in this is the continuing tradition of sharing the beauty of Francophone literature, art and history and its contribution to the multicultural richness of this world of 200 million French speakers.
Our chapters foster the exchange of information, ideas, and best practices, provide a forum for better understanding in our global community, and offer a platform for leadership and the promotion of our diverse cultures founded on universal values.
