[StBernard] Governor Blanco and French Minister of Education sign bilateral

[Westley Annis]

Governor Blanco, French Minister of Education sign bilateral accord advancing French education 

BATON ROUGE -Governor Kathleen Babineaux Blanco and French Minister of Education Monsieur Gilles de Robien today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) encouraging educational and professional development between Louisiana and the French Academy of Rennes.

"The people of France and Louisiana share many historic and cultural bonds," Gov. Blanco said. "France remains our greatest supporter in advancing French education across our state. This lasting partnership will build new networking opportunities for high school and post-secondary students and implement meaningful historical and cultural projects."

The agreement will occur through technical networking and cooperation between Louisiana and French students in common projects. Louisiana's Community and Technical College System (LCTCS) will link with French universities and technical schools encourage the establishment of professional exchanges between Louisiana and the Brittany region. 

The MOU highlights generations of partnerships between Louisianans and the French. Citizens of France and their government are credited with providing more than $1 million to Louisiana schools in addition to numerous contributions to the arts, music and universities in the state. The French made sizeable contributions to Louisiana's recovery efforts following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. 

Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE); President, Linda Johnson; Deputy Superintendent of Education, Carole Wallin; and LCTCS Board of Supervisors Brett Mellington joined Gov. Blanco in representing Louisiana during a signing ceremony in the Governor's Mansion. French signatories included Monsieur de Robien, Minister Francois Rivasseau, and Rector of the Academy of Rennes, Jean-Baptiste Carpentier.

Click h ere to read the MOU. 
<http://www.gov.state.la.us/assets/docs/AppariementRennes_MoU%20English.pdf> 


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The Louisiana Disaster Recovery Foundation
Louisiana's Fund for Louisiana's People
www.louisianahelp.org