Sciences Po Aix welcomes Ambassador Sylvie Bermann for its 2022 academic year
On September 19, 2022, Sciences Po Aix had the honour of welcoming France Ambassador Sylvie Bermann for its solemn start of the academic year. On this occasion, the diplomat gave a lecture on "the geopolitical consequences of the war in Ukraine" to the many students and professors present in the Bruno Etienne amphitheater.
Sylvie Bermann is the first woman to have been elevated to the dignity of Ambassador of France. She was ambassador to three permanent members of the United Nations Security Council: mainland China (2011-2014), the United Kingdom (2014-2017) and Russia (2017-2019). She is the author of books such as China in Deep Water (2017) and Goodbye Britannia (2021).
His intervention and the exchange time that followed made it possible to address the issue of bilateral relations between China and Russia, the reaction of the European Union to the conflict, and the central role of NATO. The event ended with a time of exchange on more precise points.
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As an introduction to this solemn start of the academic year, Rostane Mehdi, Director of the School, recalled the universalist and humanist values of Sciences Po Aix, and encouraged students to pursue their goals.
Fabienne Blaise, Rector Delegate for Higher Education, took the floor to discuss the importance of training students in “climate change awareness” and helping them to “cultivate their critical thinking”.
They participated in this solemn return!
The conferences organized by Sciences Po Aix are opportunities for students to understand contemporary issues through the eyes of experts.
Hugo, student of the Master 2 Geostrategy, Defence and International Security: “I went to this solemn start of the academic year because I am interested in international relations in general and in particular in the theme of the war in Ukraine presented by Ambassador Sylvie Bermann. I am also interested in the Quai d’Orsay competition, so I do not miss an opportunity to listen to one of its representatives when I have the opportunity. I found the conference very interesting and I also appreciated the speech of the director, Rostane Mehdi, who recalled the values and mission of Sciences Po Aix while wishing us a good start to the school year. I think it is a very good thing that such events are organized by the School and I hope that there will be others. »
Karim, student of the Master 1 in Information and Communication Professions: “I was interested in the formal start of the academic year because it is always good to be able to immerse yourself in this kind of events set up by the institution as well as to have back-to-school and welcome speeches, especially when you are a newcomer to Sciences Po Aix. There was also the presence of Sylvie Bermann, who has – as a great French diplomat – a valuable look at the current geopolitical crisis linked to the war in Ukraine.»