France-Atlanta Launches 13th Series of Annual Events, Fostering Transatlantic Connections in Culture, Science and Business

By Hannah E. Jones

The directory France-Atlanta The series of events is back for its 13th year, a six-week program focused on innovation, building transatlantic ties and exchanging knowledge in the fields of culture, humanitarian affairs, science and Business. The 2022 series of events runs from September 15 to November 3. Most events are free and everyone is welcome.

Since its inception, the series has attracted a total of 30,000 participants – ranging from experts, students and residents – engaging in a wide range of discussions and workshops on culture, science and business.

The series of events was co-founded and organized by the Consulate General of France in Atlanta and the Georgia Institute of Technology. France-Atlanta was created in 2010 to “breathe new life” into Franco-American relations, particularly in the Southeast, attracting more than 3,500 participants in the first year.

Rami Abi-Akl, scientific and technical attaché of the French Consulate, describes the collaboration between Atlanta and France as “important on several levels”. Between the city’s renowned universities, “Atlanta’s top talent” and mutual values, the Consulate team wishes to continue fostering a relationship that benefits transatlantic communities.

“The value of improving the lives of mankind is shared everywhere. But beyond that, Atlanta and France have common values ​​to be more inclusive and diverse,” Abi-Akl said. “These values ​​may not be shared with everyone but it’s very important here in Atlanta and it’s important in France.”

In many ways, Abi-Akl describes this partnership as an investment in our collective future.

“We always talk about the exchanges of today, but those of tomorrow depend a lot on science and technology. If we produce science and technology together, we build businesses and together we build the economy of tomorrow,” he said. “It means that in the world of tomorrow, we will be together. I think it’s important that we not only plan to be together now, but also in the future.

Each year, programming is tailored to Atlanta and French interests, and this year most events focus on current topics such as global health, supply chains, sustainability and urban culture.

In partnership with CITY CITÉ, France-Atlanta and the ELEVATE art festival, Marseille-based muralist Difuz is working on an artwork in downtown Atlanta. (Photo courtesy of France-Atlanta.)

One of the many questions asked: What is the role of culture in the development of our city? This year’s programming examines this issue through CITY CITYa program focused on urban issues and urbanism created by Villa Albertine.

Established in 2015, CITY CITÉ comes to Atlanta for the first time, hosting talks and arts programming highlighting the connections in culture, urban development and society between Atlanta and Marseille, France. Both cities are Southeast capitals with rich and complex histories and incubators for well-known rappers. The series of mini-events will host Marseille Wasteland Belle de Mai and a group of French urban planners, architects and artists who will examine the role of cultural infrastructure with their Atlanta counterparts.

The association will also welcome students from Georgia Tech, Emory University, a Canadian university and six European universities to AI and global health disparities. After six weeks of preparation, students are challenged to debate artificial intelligence and how we can ensure it is designed to help tackle health inequities, not increase health disparities .

There are also more hands-on events offered, like “make pandemics», an event where culture and science meet. The 100-minute documentary follows a woman who seeks to understand the links between human health and ecosystem health during this “epidemic of pandemics”.

As the first time the entire series has been offered in-person since the pandemic began, the team is especially excited for this year’s France-Atlanta series of events. Abi-Akl welcomes everyone and hopes attendees leave with new connections, ideas and a sense of being part of a new community.

“We want the community to know each other because when scientists talk to each other, new ideas emerge and collaborations emerge. Same for technology or business,” he said. “We also want them to feel welcome, like ‘I belong in this community and I can thrive [here].’ [Lastly, we want] that they come away with ideas because we don’t want passive participants, we want active participants.

If you want to learn more about the 13th Annual France-Atlanta Series of Events or want to see the full lineup list, Click here.