The foreign cultural and scientific initiatives of France rely on a network of Instituts français and Alliances françaises, research centres and cultural centres, constituting, with all the French schools and lycées abroad, an unmatched network.

A Global Network of Cultural and Science Cooperation

In this chapter, we shall restate and examine the annual French draft diplomatic programme for culture and influence abroad – Programmes 185 and 209. Christian Masset, directeur général de la mondialisation, du développement et des partenariats, has stated that ‘reform of the network for cooperation initiated with the general review of public policies (RGPP) will be shaped over the years from 2011 to 2013’. Thus 2011 is seen as a pivotal year, with the implementation of a comprehensive and ambitious reform of the foreign activities of the state.

This includes local mergers abroad of cultural centres and Institutes with the agents in the embassies of the service de coopération et d'action culturelle (Scac) –cooperation and cultural activities. In the ninety-four countries with an institution enjoying financial autonomy, there will be:

1. • one unified institution having financial autonomy and attached initially to the relevant embassy;

2. • the creation of the Institut français, with expertise in artistic exchanges, ideas, language, culture and knowledge;

3. • a strengthening of the mutual benefits between the networks of Alliances françaises and the Institut français, regarding cultural activities and cooperation services; and

4. • the rationalization of financing, human resources and strategic control, conforming with geographic priorities.

The aspirations are to be realized through certain strategies and priorities. The Institut français, which replaced CulturesFrance, will be piloted from 2011 in Cambodia, Chile, Denmark, Georgia, Ghana, India, Kuwait, Senegal, Serbia, Singapore, Syria, the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom. The French language as a European and international language will be a training priority for students, researchers, senior officials and opinion leaders. The teaching of French abroad is the subject of new contracts with agreed objectives. The implementation of a policy of scientific and academic attractiveness will promote inward exchanges. There will be a search for new high-level scientific partnerships and exchanges of expertise, notably in the life sciences, nanotechnologies and multidisciplinary sciences. World public concerns, such as the environment, health, financial and economic stability, food security and the diffusion of knowledge are essential issues, supported specifically by Programme 209 for aid to developing countries.