So many interesting people in the past and current history of France. This week our President hosted Emmanuel Jean-Michel Frederic Macron, the current President of France as well as ex officio Prince of Andorra. At age 39, Macron is the youngest President in the history of France. He started a party he dubbed En Marche!- in 2016 that is a centrist political movement. Macron had never held an elected office until this election although he had some Governmental leadership in his background. The man is well educated, a fine speaker, and apparently a relationship and consensus builder. Much ado in the press about the relationship he has earned with our President. I imagine you read about his address to joint session of our United States Congress. I happen to agree with most of his points on the critical importance of the United States in the global economy and the legacy that should be protected and enhanced. A few quotes will tell my story. Macron alluded to the very touchy-feely relationship between Benjamin Franklin and Francois-Marie Arouet, better known by his nom de plume-Voltaire in 1778. Voltaire was a satirical polemicist who frequently used his works to criticize intolerance, religious dogma, and the French institutions of his day. The two philosophers formed a lasting bond.
Macron reminded “we can choose isolationism, withdrawal and nationalism”. “But closing the door to the world will not stop the evolution of the world, he added, “I am convinced that if we decide to open our eyes wider we will be stronger, we will overcome the dangers, we will not let the rampaging work of extreme nationalism shake a world full of hopes for greater prosperity.” I could go on but his call to”re-invent” cooperative approaches to international problems make sense. Macron also called on the countries to work together to “make our planet great again…while safeguarding our earth” “we are killing our planet ?. Let us face it. There is no planet B.”
Whoops, I may be getting political again. “Appreciation is a wonderful thing: it makes what is excellent in others belong to us as well.” Voltaire
We should consider embracing our role in our community or on a bigger stage.
Enjoy the week end, Mike