Assignment
Submitted By:
Zoya Ahmed
Submitted to:
Mam Rahila Asfa Cheema
Roll no:
11014
Subject:
Globalization and International Relation
TOPIC
FRANCE CIVIL SOCIETY IN SOUTH AFRICA
Class:
BS International Relation
Semester:
3rd (M)
FRANCE CIVIL SOCIETY IN SOUTH
AFRICA
Civil Society is comprised of groups or organizations working in the interest of the
citizens but operating outside of the governmental and for-profit sectors. Organizations
and institutions that make up civil society include labor unions, non-profit organizations,
churches, and other service agencies that provide an important service to society but
generally ask for very little in return.
Civil society is sometimes referred to as the civil sector, a term that is used to
differentiate it from other sectors that comprise a functioning society. For example, the
United States is made up of three sectors: the public sector, which is the government
and its branches; the private sector, which includes businesses and corporations; and
the civil sector, which includes the organizations that act in the public's interest but are
not motivated by profit or government.
France-South Africa Relations:
France–South Africa relations refers to the diplomatic
relations between France and South Africa. Between 1961 and 1974, France was South
Africa's largest supplier of weapons. France cut off diplomatic relations with South Africa
in 1981 and restored relations in 1992. Both nations are members of the G-20 major
economies and the United Nations. The two states have strong economic ties. France
was South Africa's 9th largest importer.
Strategic Partnership
South Africa is one of the strongest economies on the African continent and an
industrial country that is attractive to foreign investors. It is France’s primary business
partner in Southern Africa. As a member of BRICS and G20, South Africa is also a
diplomatic actor who plays a growing role in Africa and whose voice is listened to on the
international arena. Paris and Pretoria are united in a « strategic partnership » agreed in
1994, exchanging regular visits at the highest level, the latest being President zuma’s
state visit to France in 2011 and President Hollande’s state visit to SA in October 2013.
Ministers of Foreign Affairs meet regularly and our two countries have developed
several topical annual meetings.
Security issues:
France and South Africa share a common vision on security issues. Defence
cooperation is implemented in accordance with an agreement signed in 1998 and
focuses on maritime security in the Indian Ocean, air-land training and exchange of
expertise and defence industry partnerships. The fight against drugs is a good example
of France and SA police cooperation, with a conference on precursor chemicals
organized in 2013. Technical cooperation includes dealing with a large range of actions
such as crime investigation, elite unit capacities and border policing.
Investment:
Almost 300 French companies are present in South Africa, contributing to the local
economy. In 2013, almost two-thirds of French investment focused on industrial fields.
Seeing South Africa as a springboard for the entire continent, large French companies
are well established with a long term development strategy, competitively positioned in
key sectors: aeronautics (Airbus equips 2/3 of the SAA air fleet), pharmaceutical
products (SanofiAventis), energy (Areva, Total), consumer goods (L’Oréal, Danone,
Parmalat), building materials (Saint-Gobain, Lafarge), car industry (Renault, Peugeot-
Citroën), transport (Alstom/ Prasa , Bouygues TP and RATP for the Gautrain
construction), services and renewable energy (Soitec, Innowind). unit capacities and
border policing.
Supporting Civil Society:
The French Embassy, through the Civil Society Development Fund, works closely with
South African NGOs and has supported more than 30 projects over the last 10 years.
As another way to support South African development, decentralised cooperation is a
long term partnership established between local authorities, such as the example of the
cooperation agreement between Bourgogne Region and Western Cape Province in the
field of agricultural professional training. French companies are also active in the field of
corporate social responsibility, driving initiatives in training, education and environment.
French Language:
Each year, in the Alliance Française network, 6000 students in South Africa study
French, keen to connect with the 96.2 million Africans who speak French, which makes
Africa the foremost francophone continent. Besides, French is taught in 200 South
African high schools and in all South African universities.
Culture:
Bilateral cultural relations are conducted through the Embassy’s cultural services, the
French Institute of South Africa (IFAS) and the network of 14 Alliances Françaises.
Strong partnerships with various festivals, universities, artists, museums and theatres,
as well as government institutions and businesses, have been develop
Embassy of France:
The Ambassador of France in South Africa is the Head of the Diplomatic Mission. The
missions of the Embassy of France are various:
• To represent France in South Africa and promote France’s interests in every field,
• To strengthen relations between France and South Africa,
• To provide a number of services to French citizens living in South Africa.
The embassy of france is involved in different services:
Political Section:
The political section composed of a team of counsellors, its mission is to build bridges
between France and South Africa’s policies. It informs French authorities about the
evolution of South Africa’s domestic and foreign policies, defends and explains France’s
positions on international issues to the South African authorities and works at
strengthening the working relations between both countries
Cooperation and Cultural Action Department:
The Cooperation and Cultural Action Department headed by a Counsellor, includes
eight sectors in South Africa: Culture, Science & Technology, French Language,
University, Governance, Development, Literature and Research, and two sectors in
Southern Africa: Health and Media, Film & Music.
Economic Affairs:
The Department of Economic Affairs for Southern Africa is based at the French
Embassy in South Africa. One of 132 such departments in 111 countries, is part of the
international network of the French Treasury (Ministry of Economy, Finance and
Industry) abroad. It covers South Africa as well as other Southern African countries:
Angola (with a resident office in Luanda), Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique
(with a resident office in Maputo), Namibia, Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
The main objectives are:
• Analyzing the economic and financial situation of Southern African countries, as well
as key sectors and their market accessibility for French companies,
• Strengthening bilateral economic, commercial and financial relations,
• Supporting international business development through the promotion of bilateral
trade, investment, and participation to key projects.
UBIFRANCE:
The French Trade Commission-Ubifrance in South Africa is part of Ubifrance network,
the French Agency for International Business Development, which has 80 offices in 60
different countries. It is based in Sandton and is divided into 4 departments:
• Consumer goods and healthcare,
• Infrastructure, transport, industries,
• Agriculture and food industries,
• ICT & Services.
The main objectives are:
• Providing French companies with up-to date data and analysis about existing and
potential business opportunities, and market access conditions: business guide book,
market analyses, market sheets, news, etc,
• Offering French companies a full range of services, either individually or in groups, in
order to put them in contact with the most appropriate South African trade or industrial
partners: French pavilions on South African trade shows, B2B meetings, etc,
• Promoting the International Internship Program (VIE) within French subsidiaries
operating in South Africa.
French-South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry
(FSACCI)
Our Mission statement: To promote reciprocal trade between France and South
Africa. This is done by providing a range of services and activities, all aimed at
facilitating business opportunities within the French and South African business
communities.
The French South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry( FSACCI) created in
1979, constitutes through its panel of services, activities and its network of members, an
efficient business support mechanism for French companies in South Africa and for
South African companies wishing to set up business links with France.
The FSACCI is a private, non-profit organization, with its head office based in
Johannesburg and regional offices in Cape Town and Durban. The FSACCI is a
member of the UCCIFE (network of 112 French Chambers in 75 countries) and CCI
international (network of regional chambers of commerce in France).
The panels of services offered by the FSACCI includes Product-Market Tests, Qualified
Contact Lists, Market Exploration missions (Individual or collective) to cater for
companies wishing to test or get a better understanding of the South African market,
and services such as Company Registration and Office Space Rental for companies
that have taken the step and wish to settle in South Africa.
Directly in line with its commercial services offer, the FSACCI’s core activity is the
management of the networking platform it represents. With an ever growing member
base – over 200 member companies today – the FSACCI drives numerous committees
(e.g. French Energy Forum / Human Resources Committee), work groups (FSACCI
Synergy Groups) and organizes various business events throughout the year. These
include business breakfasts, cocktails or conferences on particular themes of relevance
to the French – South-African Business community, gala dinnerss, golf days and wine
festivals. Everything we do is aimed at benefiting our member companies’ business
interactions. Our raison d’être is ensuring our member companies multiply their
business interactions through our network.
Conclusion:
France civil society in south Africa play role to develop strong relations between france
and south African countries, in regional development. These civil societies work for
basic human rights and for economic affairs.
Reference:
https://za.ambafrance.org › IMG › pdf › france_in_south_Africa
https://halshs.archives-ouvertes.fr › halshs-01956757 › documentry
