FRANCE'S SOFT POWER MAKEOVER

Dec 1 , 2024.

France and Ethiopia have reinforced their bilateral relationship with a landmark agreement signed on Saturday, November 30, 2024, increasing access to education and preserving cultural heritage. During his official visit last week, France's Minister for Europe & Foreign Affairs, Jean-Noël Barrot, met with Minister of Education Berhanu Nega (Prof.) to formalise a scholarship program for underprivileged students at Lycée Franco-Éthiopien Guébré Mariam, a prestigious institution jointly owned by the two countries. The agreement allocates 10pc of the school’s slots to students who cannot afford tuition.

“We don’t believe that good education should be the privilege of only people with money,” said Berhanu during the ceremony.

The scholarships will include a preparatory program tailored to help recipients integrate into the French curriculum, a measure designed to ensure their success. Belay Aweke, a general education inspector, stated the program’s potential to inspire similar initiatives in other community and international schools, "advancing equitable access to quality education." Barrot's visit also marked the unveiling of "Sustainable Heritage Ethiopia," a new collaborative project targeting sacred and secular sites in northern Ethiopia. The initiative plans to integrate sustainable tourism with cultural preservation, involving destinations such as Lalibela and the National Palace, where renovations are nearing completion.

“The project reinforces the collaborative efforts undertaken by both governments,” Barrot said.

The Ministry of Tourism has prioritised initiatives to attract global attention to Ethiopia's rich cultural assets while supporting economic development. Barrot toured the National Museum alongside Selamawit Kassa, minister of Tourism, and Abebaw Ayalew (PhD), director of the Ethiopian Heritage Authority. According to Selamawit, these initiatives are part of broader reforms in priority sectors like tourism, agriculture, mining, and ICT, targeting the regeneration of the economy and enhancing the country's global image.

PUBLISHED ON Dec 01,2024 [ VOL 25 , NO 1283]