Debate on Ideas and Civic Issues

Share this page on: Share on Facebook Share on Linkedin Share on Email Copy the page url to clipboard Debate on Ideas and Civic Issues From workshops to major forums, the debate on ideas brings together leading figures from all sectors to explore the issues facing societies around the world. These discussions are supported by capacity-building programs for civic actors, enabling them to participate fully in the international debate. Dialogues européens à Sofia © Stefan Stefanov Our Missions Photographie prise lors du forum "Notre futur" à Maurice (3 au 5 novembre 2023) © DR The Institut français promotes dialogue between cultures through the exchange of ideas and by supporting young people who are actively engaged in society. Through the exchange of ideas, the Institut français helps deepen the ties between French civil society and thought and societies around the world, supports the international development of communities of knowledge, thought, and civic engagement, and helps promote French humanities and social sciences beyond national borders. The Institut français pays particular attention to highlighting initiatives, research, and ideas driven by young people. Our Key Programs and Major Projects European Dialogues in Athens: May 26-29, 2026 For its 12th edition, European Dialogues stops off in Athens, the cycle's very first rendezvous in southern Europe. Facing War - European Dialogues The project “Facing War – European Dialogues” consists of a series of events bringing together leading figures from the fields of research, think tanks, the media, and the public sphere to foster... Our future - Dialogues Afrique-Europe Launched in October 2022, the Our Future - Africa-Europe Dialogues project intends to continue the dialogue and build new foundations for relations between Africa and Europe. Travel to Ukraine From December 2025 to March 2026, France and Ukraine unite on the cultural front to resonate the voice of a resilient and creative Ukrainian society through The Journey to Ukraine - A Ukrainian Season... 4 September 2025 Safir Training Networking Debating ideas Safir is a support program for actors committed to the advent of fairer, more inclusive and more sustainable societies in Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan and Palestine. Night of Ideas Every year, on the last Thursday of January, the Institut français invites all places of culture and knowledge, in France and on five continents, to celebrate together the free circulation of ideas... Debating ideas Project support Open From 01 July 2026 to 30 October 2026 Debating ideas The Débat d'idées call for projects is dedicated to the cooperation and cultural action network's projects in the field of the diplomacy of ideas and knowledge, through the organization of a "Night of... Residence and Professional Mobility The Institut français runs residency programs, such as Villa Kujoyama in Japan, as well as artistic and professional exchange programs. It supports residency organizations and assists the French cultural network abroad, from the design to the implementation of new residency programs. Our Partners Local Governments Each year, thanks to agreements between the Institut français and French local and regional authorities, organizations throughout France receive support to develop their international research and discussion initiatives, both in France and around the world. Universities, Research Institutes, and Think Tanks The Institut français maintains close ties with French public and private research organizations and their overseas branches. The Institut français is committed to promoting French expertise, particularly that of emerging voices. Historical and Science Museums The dissemination of knowledge is a cornerstone of public debate, and the Institut français collaborates with French organizations dedicated to promoting historical and scientific culture. In particular, an agreement between the Institut français and Universcience allows the “Sciences & Actualités” exhibitions at the Cité des sciences et de l’industrie to tour the French cultural network abroad. Newspapers and magazines on society and current issues The Institut français enables newspapers and magazines covering social issues and public debate—whether specialized or general-interest—to gain access to intellectual and social figures from other countries and to increase their own visibility abroad. Civil Society Organizations Through close collaboration with numerous civil society organizations, the programs led by the Institut français ensure the representativeness, diversity, and renewal of French voices participating in the exchange of ideas abroad. These organizations span a wide range of fields and vary in size, from local civic associations to major French NGOs. National Book Center Support for the translation of French works into foreign languages is an essential tool for promoting French humanities and social sciences around the world. The Institut français facilitates these translations through its Publication Assistance Program, which makes it easier for foreign publishers to acquire the rights to these works, and serves on the National Book Center’s Extraduction SHS Commission, which contributes to translation costs. Actualités Quelle place pour le débat d’idées dans la diplomatie culturelle française ? À l'heure où les conflits se multiplient et où les espaces de dialogue se fragilisent dans de nombreuses régions du monde, le débat d'idées s'impose comme un outil essentiel de la diplomatie... 17 septembre 2026 Les Dialogues européens à Skopje, du 29 septembre au 2 octobre Une nouvelle édition des Dialogues européens se tiendra à Skopje, en Macédoine du Nord, du 29 septembre au 2 octobre 2026. Learn about our other areas of focus