The Anglo-American Community, strongly anchored in Marseille-Provence, represents an extensive network of active professionals and companies, which includes managers, engineers, teachers and creators of all sorts, with businesses in many different areas of activity. It consists of both permanent and temporary residents, often with families and distinct educational needs. American and British companies are the most significant foreign investors in the region, supporting and creating much employment.

The Anglo-American Community shares with the regional economic development agencies and the international companies located here, a concern about the international educational facilities available in the area at both the primary and secondary levels (grade, middle and high schools-- higher education will be the subject of another conference later this year).

MAABN is raising the debate around a number of important questions:

• Are the public and private international education facilities that exist equitably and efficiently distributed throughout the territory and, do they satisfy the requirements of Anglo-American families and the businesses they work for?
• Where are these facilities? What do they offer?
• Are non-French-speaking children catered for?
• What are the reactions of foreign companies seeking to invest here? Where does international education lead?
• (other questions could be added or substituted.............)

MAABN is delighted to welcome:

• Jean Paul de Gaudemar, Rector of the Aix-Marseille Académie
• Gail Ellis, Head of the language teaching centre at the British Council Paris
• Robert Maury, Managing Director of Provence Promotion
• Neil Calder, Head of Communication ITER
• Adelia Hackenheimer, Director of the International Section of High School Georges Duby in Luynes,
• Julia Fady, with the International Section of the Middle School Mignet in Aix-en-Provence.
• Alan Tricker, Head of International Studies, International Bilingual School of Provence
• Laurence Mouquet, Assistant Director of the Middle School Jacques Monod in Pennes Mirabeau which has an International Section (Present also, Director Mr Beltran and English Teacher Mrs Bretelle)
• Sophie Bellot, Director of Epim

The round table discussion will feature Simon Taylor, British Consul, Kathleen Riley, US Consul General and other guests in the audience such as Andrew James Director International HR CMA CGM.

Conference.....................In English, with Q&A in English or French
Date & time.....................3 March 2010 from18:30 to 21:00 (Punctuality appreciated)
Venue..............................La Bo[a]te, 35 rue de la Paix Marcel Paul, 13001 Marseille (parking, Cours Estienne d’Orves)
Entrance fees…..............Members & Sponsors: 5 euros / Non-Members: 10 euros (payment at the door, cash or pre-prepared check to MAABN)
RSVP mandatory............. Interest for this event is high, Reserve Early, places and seating will be limited : contact@maabn.fr, standing room only for late comers