1. Multicultural Policies: France
Week 7

2. France: policy evaluation

3. Constitutional, legislative affirmation

4. Constitutional, legislative affirmation
Article 1 of the French constitution (1958) :
“France shall be an indivisible, secular, democratic and social republic. It shall ensure the equality of all citizens before the law, without distinction of origin, race or religion. It shall respect all beliefs.”

5. Constitutional, legislative affirmation
No recognition of minorities, ethnic, religious, linguistic or other
All citizens have equal rights
Maghreb: delegation of responsibility in some areas, respect for France’s laws and values
Integration policies not targeted at immigrants and minorities

6. Multiculturalism in school curriculum

7. Multiculturalism in school curriculum
Recognition and respect other cultures
« le vivre ensemble » - learning to live together
Fight discrimination

8. Ethnic representation in media

9. Ethnic representation in media
Pluralism, objectivity, respect for human dignity
Promotion of French language and culture
« responsibility to present an image reflecting reality of today’s Franceé
No specific mention of ethnic and racial minorities
Absence of minorities on mainstream television

10. Exemption from dress code

11. Exemption from dress code
No circumstances justify differential treatment on grounds of race or origin
Wearing of religious symbols highly restricted
Special menus at school canteens for students who don’t eat pork

12. Allows dual citizenship

13. Funding of ethnic group organisations

14. Funding of ethnic group organisations
Association loi 1901 extended to immigrants and foreign-born in 1981
Must respect constitution
Agency for Social Cohesion and Equal Opportunities

15. Funding of bilingual education

16. Funding of bilingual education
No differentiation based on ethnic or racial origin
Some bilingual classes: bilateral agreements
regional languages

17. Affirmative action for immigrant groups

18. Affirmative action for immigrant groups
No state-sponsored programmes aimed at ethnic groups
Designation of places at Sciences Po for students from disadvantaged backgrounds, base on merit