Cultural, scientific and technical cooperation

Based on long-standing relations between our two countries, on French influences assumed or proclaimed by our Venezuelan partners (especially in the fields of culture and art, thought, and research), and a positive overall image, French cooperation in Venezuela is part of a dynamic of influence enabling us to enjoy a certain expectation on behalf of Venezuelans.

The main headings for our work, largely co-financed, include:

strong cooperation in higher education and research programs (PCP/RU2I and ECOS); public-private training (Renault automotive mechatronics training center; a similar project by the FRAMECA consortium in rail and transport); the “1000 students” program currently being undergoing revision; doctoral project between France and Venezuela in nanotechnologies;

an important cultural program, conducted with the support of generous sponsors and a growing network of Alliances Françaises (9600 students in 2009 compared to 8300 in 2008); facilities in eight different cities: Caracas (four separate sites), Maracaibo, Valencia, Barquisimeto, Merida, Porlamar, Puerto La Cruz, Barinas. It is growing especially around moments like the French Language Festival, the French Film Festival (which will see its 24th edition in 2010 and is the country’s largest film festival) or the Music Festival;

sustainable development projects: the Franco-Venezuelan sustainable development month combines lectures, exhibitions, seminars, workshops and artistic achievements promoting awareness of combating climate change;

promoting the French language and support for the French High School in Caracas (Colegio Francia with two teaching sections: a French section with 750 students and a Venezuelan section with 550 students);

research opportunities for decentralized cooperation, particularly towards the French Departments of America (DFA), for which we want to strengthen regional integration;

developing partnerships with five leading French-Venezuelan organizations: engineers and scientists; French teachers; humanities and social sciences; lawyers; doctors and health professionals.

This action is twofold: seeking out new audiences (“Le Français, une Chance en Plus” [French, Another Opportunity] program targeting teaching our language to 100 young Venezuelans from modest backgrounds) and new partners (particularly in cultural fields); reorganization and strengthening our network (Alliances Françaises in Venezuela on the one hand, French cooperation in the Andean region on the other).

^{Updated on : 27.07.11}