"Knowledge is in every country the surest basis of public happiness" George Washington (1796). "Peace begins in the minds of men" (UNESCO). "Win the Battle of Ideas: Defeat al Qaeda in the battle of ideas by returning to an American foreign policy consistent with America's traditional values, and work with moderates within the Islamic world to counter al Qaeda propaganda. Establish a $2 billion Global Education Fund to work to eliminate the global education deficit and offer an alternative to extremist schools." (The President's agenda)

 

THE CHALLENGE

 

Education is an intrinsic part of the economy and development and at the heart of our internationally recognized human rights and duties. In France, most of education, including but not limited to higher university and some elitist schools (like Ena or Institut des Sciences Politiques) and even adult continuing education is considered a constitutional right which must be equally accessible. Not a social privilege reserved for the well to do.  As a consequence, it is either free or affordable to all.

On the other hand, in the U.S. between 2001 and 2010, 2 million academically qualified students will not go to college because they cannot afford it. To make matters worse, in the US, six million middle and high school students read significantly below their grade level. Americans 15 years old rank 28th out of 40 countries in mathematics and 19th out of 40 countries in science. According to a Newsweek article dated July 17, 2008, Education wise,  the United States ranks 25 of the 30 of the major Democracies in the world. African American and Latino students are significantly less likely to graduate than white students. The average graduate leaves college with over $19,000 in debt and for certain studies, like law and medicine, many students are indebted well beyond 100,000 dollars.

 

PROPOSED PLAN OF ACTION

 

For our basic rights to be long-lasting and decisive in the renewal of the Nation, the People need to benefit from the equal and affordable access to relevant knowledge in the following skills.

In this framework, a U.S ambassador to France could communicate to the Foreign Policy Team and to the French Government the key subject matters to help free people from the scourge of ignorance in matters that count, including, but not limited to the following.

 

(a) Internationally recognized  human rights and duty law in conjunction with the basics of American civil rights law and a general 101 introduction to law.

(b) Science-based nutrition and toxic free lifestyle education (which includes introduction courses to some of the hard sciences like physics, biology and chemistry).

(c) Holistic healthcare techniques including psychological counseling.

(d) Sustainability and eco-development sciences, including, but not limited to the teaching of clean renewable energies, eco construction, alternative transportation systems and organic agriculture techniques.

(e) Basic computer and internet training, that which constitutes the cultural and education "equalizer" of modern times.

(f) Methodology on learning and research skills. There should be as much if not more emphasis on right brain development as left brain and neo-cortex training, meaning art, creative imagination and intuitive knowledge should be balanced with critical thinking, verbal communication skills and achievement. The neo-cortex (the brain's front lobe) days are coming to an evolutionary end. We need to realize this. If we are to go with the flow of History.

(g) Meditation & breathing techniques,  holistic & health maintaining exercises, sun breaks, music and art classes.

 

A U.S ambassador to France, in the name of President Obama (if he wills it of course) can contribute by encouraging both the U.S and France to benefit from their research and mutual experiences in these pedagogical fields and help their Peoples to ensure the satisfaction of their basic needs, that which would significantly reduce sickness, legal conflicts and social entropy in our communities while promoting development, (including, but not limited to financial stability), sustainability and the renewal of the American Republic and Peace among Nations.

As the UNESCO Constitution provides in its Preamble: "Peace beings in the minds of men". This ideal is central to any Republic worthy of legal existence and international recognition.

Franco and Euro American cultural and education cooperation in this field (like with the Erasmus European cultural exchange system) would contribute in bettering American Education and in ensuring a more meaningful access to higher education and relevant skills. And this goal would be in compliance with President Obama's agenda.

" Expand research initiatives at American colleges and universities. Provide new research grants to the most outstanding early-career researchers in the country (...) Barack Obama and Joe Biden believe federally funded scientific research should play an important role in advancing science and technology in the classroom and in the lab." (President Obama's agenda)

Another fertile way to encourage bilateral and international exchange and deepen Nation to Nation friendship is to encourage WWOOF like exchanges.

Wwoof means: World wide opportunities on organic farms.

WWOOF is a world wide network - It started in the UK in 1971 and has since become an international movement that is helping people share more sustainable ways of living.

WWOOF is an exchange - In return for volunteer help, WWOOF hosts offer food, accommodation and opportunities to learn about organic lifestyles.

WWOOF organisations link people who want to volunteer on organic farms or smallholdings with people who are looking for volunteer help.

 

I am presently working on a concrete Franco-American Diplomatic plan of action to contribute in finding solutions to these challenges. Meanwhile, please see my gubernatorial efforts in this realm, notably via the following freedom: Freedom from ignorance, mis-education and alienation.