Chapter 4: The Case of France

The purpose of this chapter is to describe the development of a European education in secondary schools in France.¹ In France, the European and international dimensions are of growing importance for school education. The Europe of knowledge and education is well and truly on its way, in accordance with the Lisbon strategy. In March 2000 indeed, in Lisbon, the European Union set up as its objective for 2010 “to become the most competitive and the most dynamic knowledge economy in the world.”²

For the schools of the 21st century this means to be more open to cultural and linguistic differences. For the students of today and tomorrow, this means to go well beyond yesterday’s intellectual and geographical borders. Therefore, Europe and the wider world will open up new perspectives for everyone and create new chances that should not be missed.