Phila. francophiles celebrate Institute

CHRISTOPHER PRYOR France Consul General Jean- Yves Defay, Philadelphia Mayor Ed Rendell and Interim President Claire Fagin joined almost 100 francophiles from around the University and city to celebrate the second anniversary of the French Institute for Culture and Technology at a reception at the University Museum last week. Vice Provost for Research Barry Cooperman, who is also director of the Institute, said the purpose of the cultural center is to use "intellectual resources to promote French/ American cooperation." He added that while the Institute does not offer courses at the University, it does work with the Romance Language Department, the Lauder Center and the Penn Linguistics Center. Also honored at the reception last week was the recent formation of the French/American Association of Philadelphia, which will serve as an "umbrella" organization for the 14 different French/American organizations in the area, Association President Daniele Thomas-Easton said. At the reception Defay stressed the importance of the formation of the Institute and the Association. "French/American relations have always been special," he said. "On the common shoulders of North America and Western Europe lay the burden of burning issues." Rendell added that the French/ American community "continues to grow over the course of our history." Fagin said she thinks the Institute plays an important role at the University because,"in every way possible we prepare our students to be world citizens and beyond." The Institute was formed to strengthen and enhance relations among the University, the Delaware Valley community, France and francophile countries.