Tenth Anniversary Celebration
France-Berkeley Fund
On a sunny Friday afternoon, September 12, 2003, an illustrious and
diverse group of people assembled to celebrate the tenth anniversary
of the
France-Berkeley Fund.
Launched by a
joint initiative of both the French government and the UC Berkeley
campus, the FBF has enjoyed ten years of
bringing together scholars from France, UC Berkeley, and other UC
campuses in collaborative research projects. The celebration, which
included members
of the Berkeley campus and of the French community in the Bay Area,
symbolized and affirmed the FBF's success in promoting Franco-American
understanding.
We were privileged to enjoy the presence of several notable academic
and public leaders.
The French ambassador to the United States,
the honorable
Jean-David Levitte, made his first official trip to Berkeley, where
he was welcomed by UCB Chancellor Robert Berdahl. Accompanied by
France's
Consul-General to San Francisco, M. Frédéric Desagneaux,
M. Levitte addressed the assembly in a short speech reminded those
present of the many ties that
bind France to UC Berkeley. He praised the FBF as a model for Franco-American
understanding, and concluded his remarks by saying:
"Ladies and Gentlemen, these past months in Washington have convinced
me more than ever of the necessity for our two countries to exchange
ideas and share
common goals. It is first and foremost in the academic world that
such a dialogue can and must be held.
In a world that is increasingly
complex and
difficult, it will enable the United States and France, Europe as
well, to better understand their differences and work more closely
together. I am sure
that the France-Berkeley Fund will continue to contribute richly
to the quality of the relations between our two countries."
Several other speakers spoke of the FBF's impact on their own research and
Berkeley in general. Roger Hahn, professor of history, gave an outline of the
beginnings of the FBF. Professor Margaret Conkey of Anthropology reviewed her
work with French scholars on the archaeology of southern France. And Dr.
Charles Shank, director of the Lawrence Berkeley Laboratories, discussed the
impact of the Fund on his institute's pathbreaking research.
It was an afternoon of celebrating old ties and forming new ones.
We look forward to new innovations in research in anticipation of the next
ten years of collaboration
between France and California.
Tyler Stovall
Executive Director 
