French Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault Speaks on U.S.-France Relations

On September 22, the School of International and Public Affairs welcomed Jean-Marc Ayrault, France’s current minister of foreign affairs—and former prime minister—for a talk and question-and-answer session. Dean Merit E. Janow gave the introductory remarks, speaking to the importance of U.S.-France relations and the role of Columbia University in bringing together students from both nations.

“The world is more complex, unstable, and unpredictable daily,” said Ayrault. He cited growing income inequality as one cause for this, along with globalization, which he said has “changed the traditional frameworks of global society.”

Ayrault discussed how increased technology and communication has opened up routes for criminal activity and facilitated the spread of terrorism.

“We should not take lightly the anxiety and fear felt in this context of chaos,” he said, calling isolation a “smokescreen” and noting the increasingly xenophobic tone appearing in many countries, including his own.

The minister emphasized the importance of transparency and greater understanding between governments and people across borders, saying, “it is through understanding of others that we will reduce fear.”

He spoke of the necessity for the United States and Europe to work together in the fight against terrorism and show solidarity with the thousands of people forced to leave their homes due to violent conflict and climate change.

Ayrault encouraged the audience not to give up and to instead stay the course, asserting that he believed in the strength of international law, the United Nations system, and the work of the United States to defend peace and democracy.

The talk was sponsored by the Center on Global Economic Governance, the Alliance Program at Columbia University, and the French Embassy’s cultural services, with support from Maison Francaise and the European Institute at Columbia University.

— Kasumi Takahashi MPA ’17